Barvas Estate Isle of Lewis, Scotland

BARVAS ESTATE

ISLE OF LEWIS , S COTLAND

Stornoway 12 miles, Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport 1 hour, London airports 4 hours ‘The all-round sporting dream’

Barvas Lodge & Bothy (8 bedrooms)

Barvas Cottage (3 bedrooms)

Keeper’s Cottage (3 bedrooms)

Spectacular fishings over three complete river systems: Barvas River and Loch Barvas Arnol River Loch Urrahag

Sporting lease over approximately 34,200 acres including: Walked up grouse Red deer stalking Walked up and driven snipe and woodcock shooting Wild fowling

Savills About 12.72 acres (5.15 hectares) in total Wemyss House 8 Wemyss Place excluding the beds of the Rivers and Lochs Edinburgh EH3 6DH 0131 247 3720 For sale as a whole [email protected] www.savills.co.uk SITUATION

The Isle of Lewis is a land of dramatic and varied landscapes, spectacular beaches and soaring cliffs, rich with flora and fauna, wildlife and birdlife. It is one of the last truly natural and unspoilt places left in Britain. Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides). The total area of Lewis is 683 square miles and has about 18,400 permanent residents. Tourism, sheep farming and crofting are the mainstays of the local economy.

Lewis offers excellent opportunities for sporting activities such as walking, sailing, surfing, bird watching, cycling and golf on the 18 hole Stornoway golf course in the grounds of Lews Castle. It also enjoys a rich cultural heritage which is celebrated in the form of a three day Hebridean Celtic Festival every July.

The long summer days and the warm current of the Gulf Stream ensure Lewis’ seawaters are a rich feeding ground for fish. There is plenty to be caught by anglers of all abilities, both just off-shore and further afield, where mackerel, cod, pollock, coalfish and ling can be found. There are also lobsters, crabs, scallops and langoustines off the coast.

The west coast is famous for its exciting sailing. The village of Carloway is located 12 miles south of the estate and is a popular anchorage for yachts due to its sheltered harbour and bay. Moorings may also be available subject to availability. Located about three miles from the harbour is the uninhabited island of Little Berna: known for its white sandy beach and regarded by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the British Isles. The bay at Bratanish Mor is also recognised as a good natural anchorage and lies beneath the mysterious standing stones at Callanish (18 miles). This historical site is considered to be second only to Stonehenge in neolithic importance in the UK.

The island's principal town, Stornoway, has a good selection of shops, supermarkets, schooling, professional services and leisure facilities.

DESCRIPTION

Barvas Estate is something of a rarity as a sporting estate, offering exciting wild sport for nearly ten months of the year. In spring there is wonderful salmon and trout fishing; in the autumn the walked-up grouse, snipe and wildfowl provide exciting sport and there is the opportunity to venture to the hills for red deer stalking and woodcock shooting in the late autumn and winter months.

Barvas Estate comprises a comfortable eight bedroom traditional sporting lodge and two further cottages together with the fishing rights over three complete river systems namely the Barvas River including Loch Barvas, the River Arnol and Loch Urrahag. In addition there is a 25 year lease in place for the shooting and stalking rights over approximately 34,200 acres, which were formerly part of the Barvas Estate.

Barvas is a place to relish personal solitude but also the joy of creating childhood memories of family picnics, swimming or sailing on one of the many clear lochs or catching fish and barbecuing on one of the stunning beaches.

BARVAS LODGE

Barvas Lodge is situated in a peaceful spot close to the shores of Loch Barvas with views north west towards the Atlantic coast and to the south and east over surrounding moorland and dramatic hills. The Barvas River flows just 150 metres from the end of the garden; ideal for those keen to cast a quick line when time is sparse.

The Lodge is approached via a short gravelled drive through a gated entrance which leads to a large parking area in front of the house. Originally an inn, thought to date from the 18th or early part of the 19th century, the lodge is of rendered and painted stone construction under a pitched slate roof with accommodation over one and a half storeys. It is Category C listed on account of its historical interest.

Internally the lodge offers comfortable accommodation for up to 13 guests along with the practicalities needed to accommodate sporting parties and family holidays. It retains much of its original character and features such as tongue and groove panelled walls, timber sash and case windows and working open fires in most rooms. The principal rooms can be broadly described as follows:

MEASUREMENTS

Front door / entrance porch Hallway and staircase – 3.94m x 2.91m Sitting room – 4.18m x 3.88m Dining room – 4.84m x 3.29 Gun room with wood burning stove, drying pulleys and large Belfast sink unit – 4.69m x 3.73m Kitchen with floor and wall units. Oil fired Rayburn and electric oven – 4.09m x 3.60m Pantry with floor and wall units – 2.91m x 2.69m Back porch – 2.04m x 1.67m Bathroom – 2.47m x 2.36m Bathroom – 2.48m x 1.58m Shower room – 2.52m x 2.3m Bedroom (7) – 3.5m x 3.1m Bedroom (8) – 4.74m x 2.86m

First floor (main staircase off hallway) Bedroom (1) – 4.11m x 4.03m Bedroom (2) – 3.66m x 3.31m Bedroom (3) – 3.85m x 1.70m (single) Bedroom (4) – 3.72m x 3.42m WC - Off the staircase

First floor (above kitchen and accessed by a small separate staircase)

Bedroom (5) – 3.56m x 2.70m Bedroom (6) – 3.0m x 2.81m

To the rear of the Lodge is a stone built bothy with an adjoining garage (5.7m x 5.44m) and stores. The bothy comprises two rooms (3.11m x 2.66m and 5.37m x 2.63m) and offers basic overflow accommodation. There is also a small traditional game larder adjacent to the back of the house.

BARVAS COTTAGE KEEPER’S COTTAGE

Barvas Cottage is situated a short distance to the side of the Lodge and is of timber frame Keeper’s Cottage is located about 0.3 miles west of the Lodge along the public road and is of and block construction under a tiled roof. The single storey accommodation comprises an timber frame and block construction under a tiled roof. It is occupied by the game keeper and his entrance porch, kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and three bedrooms. It is occupied by the wife. The single storey accommodation comprises entrance porch, kitchen, sitting room, bathroom house keeper. and three bedrooms. It sits within an enclosed garden with a good range of kennels and a garage.

FISHING

The sale of Barvas offers the rare opportunity to own the salmon and trout fishing rights over three The Arnol River rises to the north of Barvas Hills and falls into the sea at Arnol after a run of about entire river systems, stretching from source to mouth, namely the the Barvas River, the Arnol River eight miles. Historically it was regarded to be one of the most fruitful rivers on the Isle of Lewis but and Loch Urrahag. Each system includes numerous small tributaries and lochans before flowing has only been lightly fished in more recent times with the occasional salmon caught. into the main body of the river or larger lochs. The fishing season opens on 11th February and closes on 31st October with the main run of fish starting from late May onwards when the The Loch Urrahag system is mainly made up of a number of lochs connected by burns and smaller conditions are right, with fishing by fly only throughout the season. tributaries. Whilst the salmon and trout fishing rights are owned over the these waters in practice it is only suitable for brown trout fishing as a gravel bank at the mouth of Loch Eirearaigh prevents The Barvas River has long been regarded as the most prolific of the three river systems with August any migratory fishing entering. and September offering the best sport. In the earlier months of the season fishing is generally confined to the loch which is most effectively fished from a boat. The river rises in Loch Scaravat Rods are currently let on a daily basis with many of the summer weeks taken by the current owners and falls for about eight miles into Loch Barvas before flowing into the short sea pool at its mouth. of the estate. The Loch extends to about 245 acres and is relatively shallow with some deeper pools. The 10 year average is about 170 fish and the general policy has been to release larger cock fish and all hen Exceptional brown trout fishing can be enjoyed on many of the smaller hill amongst the wild and fish. dramatic scenery.

SPORTING LEASE

In addition to its fishings, the estate enjoys varied and challenging sport over approximately 34,200 acres of land at Barvas. The estate sold the croft land on the estate to the crofting community in 2016, retaining a sporting lease over the land which runs until 13th April 2041. The current rent is £3,000 per annum. Further details are available from the selling agents.

Walked-up Grouse Unlike many moors on mainland UK, Barvas has recorded consistent bags for a considerable number of years on account of the mild weather and the absence of many predators on the island. Typically 15 – 20 walked-up days over pointers are shot each season and bags usually vary between 5 to 10 brace.

Woodcock and Snipe Shooting Barvas has long had a reputation for offering some of the most prolific and exciting snipe shooting in the UK with historical bags of up to 100 birds in a day but in more recent times bags have been smaller. Most seasons between 5 to 7 days have been shot throughout October and November and are often combined with a trip onto the moor in pursuit of a couple of brace of grouse.

Migrating woodcock arrive from Scandinavia from late autumn through the winter months, and offer testing sport amongst sheltered cover along the foot of the hills. There is also the opportunity for wildfowling as wild duck and geese are also seasonal visitors, which along with the resident population of greylags can provide good early morning or evening sport when flying in to roost.

Stalking The hill ground is an excellent habitat for red deer, and with the unspoiled varying terrain and breathtaking views it provides stimulating stalking country. While no deer have been culled in recent years it is thought there is potential for 4 to 5 stags and 10 to 11 hinds to be shot annually.

The old game books and fishing records going back several decades are kept at the Lodge and are available for inspection by interested parties. GENERAL REMARKS Fixtures & Fittings Disputes All fitted carpets, curtains, light fittings, furniture and white goods Should any discrepancy arise as to the boundaries or any points Viewing in the Lodge are included in the sale. arise on the Remarks, Stipulations or Plan or the interpretation of Strictly by appointment with Savills. any of them, the question shall be referred to the arbitration of Employees the selling agents whose decision acting as experts, shall be final. Directions The employment of staff on Barvas would fall to be transferred to From Stornoway take the A857 northwards for 11 miles. Continue a purchaser under the 2006 TUPE regulations: Plans, Areas and Schedules past the community centre on the left hand side and after a short • Keeper/Ghillie These are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for reference distance the Lodge can be seen at the junction. • Housekeeper only. They have been carefully checked and computed by the Further details available from the selling agents. selling agents and the purchaser shall be deemed to have Travelling Information satisfied himself as to the description of the property and any By Air: Flybe (www.flybe.com) run daily services to Stornoway Servitude Rights, Burdens, Wayleaves and Statutory Public and error or mis-statement shall not annul the sale nor entitle either from Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow. other Access Rights party to compensation in respect thereof. The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing By Ferry: There are regular sailings from Ullapool to Stornoway or servitude and wayleave rights, including rights of access and Overseas Purchasers from Uig (Isle of Skye) to Harris and drive north. Both services are rights of way, whether public or private. The property is also sold Any offer by a purchaser(s) must be accompanied by a guarantee provided by Caledonian Macbrayne (www.calmac.co.uk) subject to the rights of public access under the Land Reform from a banker who is acceptable to the sellers. (Scotland) Act 2003. The purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied Car hire: Stornoway Car Hire (www.stornowaycarhire.co.uk) themselves as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others Generally following their solicitor's examination of the title deeds. Should there be any discrepancy between these particulars, the Entry & Possession General Remarks and Information, Stipulations and the Missives By arrangement Mineral Rights of Sale, the latter shall prevail. In so far as they are owned, the mineral rights are included in the Offers sale. Apportionments Offers in Scottish Legal Form are to be submitted to the selling The Council Tax and all other outgoings shall be apportioned agents. A closing date for offers may be fixed, and prospective Environmental and Architectural Designations between the sellers and the purchaser(s) as at the date of entry. purchasers are advised to register their interest with the selling The Estate is subject to the following designations: agents following inspection. • The Ness and Barvas Special Protection Area IMPORTANT NOTICE • The Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area Savills and their clients give notice that: Energy Performance Certificates • Loch Tuamister Special Site of Scientific Interest 1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or • Barvas Lodge – G • Lewis Peatlands Special Area of Conservation warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, • Barvas Cottage – E • Lewis Peatlands Ramsar site either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or • Keeper's Cottage - E otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that Copies of EPCs for all properties available on request. Solicitors may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form R&R Urquhart, 117-121 High Street, Forres, IV36 1AB part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as Services Tel: 01309 672216 statements or representations of fact, unless the same is • Mains electricity incorporated within a written document signed by the Sellers or • Mains water on their behalf satisfying the requirements of Section 3 of the • Private drainage STIPULATIONS Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 or is granted in • Oil fired central heating in each dwelling (partial in Lodge) pursuance of any such document. • Broadband to Keeper's Cottage and Barvas Cottage Purchase Price 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The Within 7 days of the conclusion of missives a non-returnable text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not Council Tax deposit of 10% of the purchase price shall be paid. The balance necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the • Barvas Lodge – D of the purchase price will fall due for payment at the date of entry property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other • Barvas Cottage – D (whether entry is taken or not) with interest accruing thereon at consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or • Keeper's Cottage – C the rate of 5% above Bank of Scotland base rate. No facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or consignation shall be effectual in avoiding such interest. otherwise. Fishery Board Levy The current levy equates to an annual payment of £4,500. Brochure prepared May 2017 170509LF Photographs taken in 2013 and 2017.