BALGY LODGE AND THE BEN SHIELDAIG ESTATE TORRIDON, WESTER ROSS BALGY LODGE AND THE BEN SHIELDAIG ESTATE TORRIDON, WESTER ROSS Shieldaig 3 miles, Torridon 5 miles, Inverness 64 miles, Inverness Airport 71 miles SPECTACULAR WEST COAST SPORTING ESTATE 7 bedroom lodge with sea views Former estate bothy and historic shielings with development opportunities Salmon fishing on the River Balgy Trout fishing rights on Loch Damph (2 boats) Stalking (5 year average – 6 stags and 8 hinds) Rough shooting 0.4 miles shoreline on Upper Loch Torridon About 3,987 acres (1,613 hectares) For sale as a whole or in two lots Savills Perth Savills Edinburgh Earn House Wemyss House Broxden Business Park 8 Wemyss Place Perth PH1 1RA Edinburgh EH3 6DH Tel: 01738 445588 Tel: 0131 247 3720 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] SITUATION Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate is situated amongst some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Scotland. It lies on the southern shores of Upper Loch Torridon, a sea loch surrounded by the steep rocky Torridon Hills including Beinn Shieldaig (1,751 ft), Beinn Damph (2,957 ft), Liathach (3,456 ft) and Beinn Alligin (3,232 ft). Below the peaks are heather clad hills dotted by freshwater lochans and the coastline is made up of shingle bays tucked into sheltered coves rich with wildlife and birdlife. It is one of the last truly natural and unspoilt places left in Britain and part of a designated ‘National Scenic Area’. The nearby village of Shieldaig, three miles to the west, is regarded by many to be one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland and has a number of local amenities, including a primary school, village hall, post office and a hotel with two acclaimed restaurants serving local seafood. It sits on the edge of Loch Shieldaig, an offshoot between Loch Torridon and Upper Loch Torridon. The village was founded in 1800. Its purpose was to attract families to take up fishing for a living; and, in the process, to help build up a stock of trained seamen for war against Napoleon. After his defeat, the community found itself a new role as a fishing village. Scotland’s west coast is renowned for the quality of its sailing, and Upper Loch Torridon is an ideal base with a safe anchorage in the bay. The long summer days and the warm current of the Gulf Stream ensure the seawaters are a rich feeding ground for fish. There is plenty to be caught by anglers of all abilities, both just offshore and further afield, where mackerel, cod, pollock, coalfish and ling can be found. There are also lobsters, crabs and langoustines off the coast. DESCRIPTION Porpoises, dolphins, otters, gannets and divers are regularly seen in the waters. Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate is a manageable west Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate is offered for sale as a coast sporting estate offering exciting sport amidst one of whole or in two lots: Inverness (64 miles), is the principal city for the region and has Scotland’s areas of true wilderness. Extending to 3,983 acres all the facilities of a city, including its airport (71 miles) with in total, the Estate runs from the tidal shore of Upper Loch • Lot 1 – Balgy Lodge – 101 acres regular flights to the south and parts of Europe and a train Torridon to the summit of Beinn Shieldaig and southwards • Lot 2 – Ben Shieldaig Estate – 3,886 acres station which includes an overnight sleeper service to London. along the ridgeline before descending to the southern point Grocery deliveries direct to the Lodge can be ordered daily of Loch Damph. from a major supermarket. Balgy Lodge sits at the northern end of the Estate, with an As well as its own sport, Balgy and Ben Shieldaig is well placed outlook over Loch Torridon and a short walk from the shoreline for field sports and recreation. Grouse shooting, red deer and the fishings on the River Balgy. It is also very conveniently stalking and driven pheasant shooting can all be taken on placed for outings to Loch Damph and excursions to the hill. nearby estates. Wester Ross is a paradise for both walkers and There is outline planning permission for the conversion and climbers. extension of a former estate bothy to create a second house. This could serve as a principal lodge for Lot 2 if the land to the south of the road was purchased separately. LOT 1 – BALGY (101 ACRES) BALGY LODGE Balgy Lodge was constructed in 1991 in the most picturesque and tranquil of settings overlooking Loch Torridon and the lower reaches of the River Balgy. The magnificent views from the house are principally northwards across the loch to the rugged mountains beyond. This contemporary seven bedroom house is constructed in a period style in keeping with the locality with whitewashed walls beneath a pitched slate roof. Built in a T-shaped plan the internal layout offers a combination of practicality for country life, and ample space for entertaining and accommodating guests, while also maximising the spectacular views and natural light. To the front of the ground floor there is a well equipped kitchen with a large dining table and four door AGA providing welcome warmth. Across the hall from the kitchen is a large sitting room with an open fire and windows on three aspects, filling the room with natural light and showcasing the views of the surrounding landscape, particularly from the large bay window seat. The essential boot room and utility room are conveniently located to the rear of the house, beyond which are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. A staircase from the hall leads up to a further three bedrooms, a bathroom (over bath shower) and a master suite with an en- suite bathroom and large fitted wardrobes. As indicated on the layout plans, there is an attic above the rear part of the house which has potential for conversion into three further bedrooms and a bathroom subject to obtaining the necessary consents. Balgy Lodge is let as a self catering holiday rental when the family are not in residence. Weekly rates range from £1,200 to £1,975 and it is typically let for 20 weeks each year. EXISTING PROPOSED FLOORPLAN FLOORPLAN GROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR FIRST FLOOR GARDENS, GROUNDS & SHORELINE SALMON FISHINGS To the rear of the Lodge is a spacious gravel sweep with The wooded shoreline with its small private bays and rocky The salmon fishings with Lot 1 comprise the west bank of ample room to park a number of cars. The grounds outcrops greatly contributes to the overall setting. There the River Balgy from the river mouth to the Balgy Bridge (0.3 surrounding the lodge are mainly down to lawn and are are the remains of two stone shielings near the mouth of the miles) and for those looking for fishing on their doorstep, interspersed with young trees which will provide increasing river which sit in the most spectacular waterside setting out the Weir Pool and Black Pool are situated a short walk away shelter and privacy as they mature. Beyond the mown lawn, of sight from the lodge. Outline planning permission has and within clear sight of the lodge. the garden leads naturally into the remaining grounds which been granted for rebuilding these ruins to create a bothy make up the 101 acres of land included with Lot 1. The and a boat house. grounds run down to the River Balgy and the coastal shore of Loch Torridon taking in a small headland known as Rubha There is deep water anchorage for yachts just offshore. Na Feola. There are moorings available to rent, subject to availability, from the Crown Estate, for which an annual fee is payable. LOT 2 – BEN SHIELDAIG ESTATE (3,886 ACRES) BALGY BOTHY This former estate bothy is located to the south of the public road with views down to the River Balgy and good access along a short hard track. Outline planning permission has been granted to convert this traditional stone and slate building into a five bedroom house. This proposed dwelling would be serviced by a private water supply situated nearby, a wind turbine or generator for electricity and a private drainage system. RED DEER STALKING The high ridge of Beinn Shieldaig forms a spectacular massif running the length of the hill, dropping away sharply to the rocky shores of Beinn Damph to the east and the lower reaches of Glen Shieldaig to the west. The topography is particularly steep on the cliff like features on the north and west faces of Beinn Shieldaig. A number of impressive corries have been carved into the eastern side of the massif, which combined with the steep terrain and broken ground makes for exhilarating deer stalking amidst some of Highland Scotland’s finest scenery. Depending on wind direction, stalking parties will normally set off from the Lodge heading south across the relatively gentle climb to the top of the “grey rocks” where stags are often found. From there it is a steeper climb to the saddle and then to the heights of Beinn Shieldaig. The views from there to Skye and the Outer Hebrides are spectacular and exhilarating. Alternatively, there is a climb through the woodlands above the village of Shieldaig with good stalking along the broken ground above the tree line. In the event of a north or north-west wind, taking a boat from the boathouse at the north end of Loch Damph enables stalkers to spy the whole of the east face of Beinn Shieldaig as they make their way up the Loch, looking for deer sheltering BALGY BOTHY or feeding on the upper slopes or in the open corries.