Gunn & Abhainn Bheag Forest

Near Forsinard,

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Near Forsinard, Sutherland

290.20 Hectares / 717.08 Acres

Freehold for Sale

Offers Over £1,250,000

An opportunity to invest in a commercial forest with a significant volume of maturing timber

Part of a larger forest within an area of outstanding beauty and some unique upland habitat

Challenging deer stalking with some excellent fishing nearby

Selling Agent Patrick Porteous

+44 (0)7444559510 [email protected] www.landfor.co.uk 4

Location

Gunn & Abhainn Bheag Forest is located in a stunningly beautiful part of the north of , near Forsinard in Sutherland. The area is probably best known for its wild scenery as well as its challenging deer stalking and fishing. Forsinard is a small settlement situated to the east of the forest with its rail station and the north coast is just 16 miles to the north.

The forest access is taken from the A897 public road north of Forsinard and then follows a shared forest access road in a south westerly direction for approximately 9 miles to reach Gunn & Abhainn Bheag at the end of the forest access road.

Please refer to the location and sale plans for directions. 5

Description Forest Management

The forest was established in stages between 1984 – 1987 on moorland around Outline plans were submitted to Scottish Forestry for felling and replanting by the upper catchment of the River Dyke and lower slopes of Ben Griam Beg the current managers Highfield Forestry Ltd. However, due to the presence of which rises above the forest and dominates this stunning landscape. It was the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve and the Special Protection Area that planted with a self-thinning intimate mix of Sitka spruce and Lodgepole pine surrounds the forest, Scottish Forestry and their consultees advised that they would which has established well on the underlying mix of Peaty podzol/gley soils and prefer that no replanting takes place following felling of the current crop. Peatland, resulting in an average Yield Class of 16 within the Sitka spruce and Yield Class 12 in the Lodgepole pine. This is due to the edge effect the forest creates and its impact on threatened moorland bird species found in this area. Although, based on current guidance the Timber harvesting can be anticipated to commence from 2025 onwards with owner could potentially replant approximately 75.81 hectares (41%) of the core forest harvesting of the most mature lower lying compartments followed by gradual and not replant the remaining 108.44 hectares (59%). However, Scottish Forestry removal of the entire crop as it reaches financial maturity. A good forest access would prefer that the forest is not replanted and have confirmed that they would grant road formation extends into the forest which will facilitate future harvesting and approval for felling whenever it is required. material for improving this and extending the access tracks can also be found within the forest. Further information is available from the Selling Agent. This presents a unique opportunity to invest in a substantial area of maturing timber as a cash crop with the potential to restore the original underlying moorland habitat and for an owner to consider reducing their carbon footprint through the supply of timber and thereafter habitat restoration.

The Peatland habitat restoration may be eligible for grant funding through Nature Scotland’s Peatland Action Scheme.

Planted Species 1984 1985 1986 1987 Total Sitka spruce/Lodgepole pine 11.94 51.49 56.72 43.33 163.48 Sitka spruce/Japanese larch 1.72 1.72 Sitka spruce 4.43 4.43 Lodgepole pine 5.64 5.64 Japanese larch 1.65 1.65 Open Ground 113.28 Total 11.94 51.49 56.72 56.77 290.20 6

Access Boundaries

Access is taken off the A897 at point A1 on the sale plan, 5 miles north of Forsinard. There is an external deer fence around the forest that is shared with the neighbouring A shared private access road crosses the River Halladale and continues on through Dyke Forest. Maintenance and replacement is shared between the owners on an various sections of forest that are in the process of being felled and on across equitable basis, according to title. moorland to reach the forest entrance at point A2. Then continues south through Dyke Forest to reach the boundary of Gunn & Abhainn Bheag at point A3 and into the property. Third Party Rights & Burdens A legal right of access is granted between points A1 – A3 for forestry purposes with the right to widen, realign and upgrade. Maintenance is shared according to use and shared with the owners of the adjoining Dyke Forest and other landowners that share The forest access road to the northern boundary of the forest (A1 – A3) is shared with this main access road. other users and maintenance is shared according to use. The Property will be sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations, and any The Bailey Bridge crossing the River Halladale has recently been improved and a third-party rights within the Title. significant volume of timber has been extracted across it and continues to be regularly used. Timber is hauled north along the A897 and across to either the port of Scrabster or south to the various established timber markets located near . Authorities

Designations Scottish Forestry & Islands Conservancy Highland Council The forest is surrounded by the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve and Special Fodderty Way, Dingwall, HQ Glenurquhart Road, Protection Area. Protected for being part of the single largest expanse of blanket bog Ross-shire IV15 9XB Inverness, IV3 5NX in the world and internationally recognised for its unique habitat, associated species and importance in combatting climate change. Tel: 0300 0676 950 Tel: 01349 886 606

Sporting Rights Taxation

The Sporting Rights are included with some excellent Red and Roe deer Land and timber crop ownership enjoys a favourable tax structure that will enhance stalking along the many rides that run down through the forest and open the value of your investment and so it is important to get the right advice from your ground that extends to approximately 113.28 hectares (39%) of the forest Financial Advisor or Accountant to fully appreciate these tax benefits. area. Felling will increase the proportion of ground and create some challenging deer stalking. The deer stalking is currently let on an annual shooting licence. 7

Viewing & Offers

Please contact the Selling Agent to arrange a viewing in advance of your visit and to obtain further details regarding access. Please also be aware of hazards within the property when viewing.

A closing date for offers may be set, however, the Seller also reserves the right to sell the property at any time, so it is vital that potential purchasers register their interest with the Selling Agent. Please also be aware the Seller is not bound to accept the highest or indeed any offer and reserves the right to withdraw the property from the market at any time.

Seller’s Solicitor

Lizzie McFadzean Anderson Beaton Lamond Solicitors Bordeaux House 31 Kinnoull Street Perth PH1 5EN Important Notice Tel: 01738 639 999 Landfor Chartered Land & Forest Agency, the trading name of Landfor Limited acting for themselves and for the seller of this Property, whose agents they are, give notice that: This sale brochure (prepared in December 2020) and its content, areas, measurements, maps, distances or technical references to condition are for guidance and are only intended to give a fair description of the property and must not form any part of any offer or contract. Landfor Limited will not be responsible to purchasers and they should rely on their own enquiries and seek suitable professional advice and surveys prior to purchase. This sale brochure shall not be binding on the seller, Finance & Anti-Money Laundering whether acted upon or not, unless incorporated within a written document signed by the seller or on their behalf, satisfying the requirements of section 3 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. Neither the seller or Landfor Limited, its employees or joint agent have any authority to make or give any representation or warranty To comply with The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer in relation to this property. The property will be sold as per the title, which may differ from the information within of Funds (Information on the payer) Regulations 2017. It is vital that all this sale brochure. Photographs may depict only parts of the property and no assumptions should be made on formal offers are submitted in Scottish legal form along with sufficient other parts of the property not shown in these photographs. Where reference is made to government grant schemes, contracts, planning permissions or potential uses, this information is given by Landfor Limited in good identification and a bank reference or guarantee showing proof of faith and purchasers must rely on their own enquiries. Purchasers should be aware of the influence and effect sufficient funds and the source to satisfy the regulations. the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Wildlife and Natural Environmental (Scotland) Act 2011 along with any statutory designations, may have on the property, including rights of public access under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Neither the seller nor Landfor Limited will be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties and no warranty is given for the health of the trees within the property for sale. Landfor Limited, incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 (Registered number SC646818) and having its registered office at 16 William Street South West Lane, Edinburgh EH3 7LL, Scotland. 8

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GUNN & ABHAINN BHEAG FOREST NEAR FORSINARD SUTHERLAND

LANDFOR CHARTERED LAND & FORESTRY AGENCY

+44 (0) 7444 559510 [email protected] www.landfor.co.uk

This plan is only for the guidance of intending purchasers. Although believed to be correct, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it does not 0 100 500 1000 form any part of any contract. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance metres Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Sta�onery Office Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number LIG1383 WWW.LANDFOR.CO.UK