Gualin Estate Durness • Sutherland
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Gualin Estate Durness • sutherlanD Gualin Estate Durness • sutherlanD Durness – 10 miles, Lairg – 46 miles, Inverness – 94 miles, Inverness Airport – 101 miles One-third share of spectacular Highland estate including 7.5 miles double bank fishing and access to one of Scotland’s most prolific sea trout lochs • Comfortable sporting lodge (5 bedrooms) • Keeper’s House (3 beds) & Flat (sleeps 2/3) • Estate buildings including fish room, deer larder, garaging, kennels and Ghillie’s flat. • 7.5 miles of salmon and sea trout fishing on River Dionard and Loch Dionard • 8 year average: 219 salmon & 122 sea trout • Wild brown trout hill lochs About 6,239 acres (2,528 hectares) For sale as a whole Savills Edinburgh Wemyss House 8 Wemyss Place Edinburgh EH3 6DH Tel: 0131 247 3720 Fax: 0131 247 3724 Email: [email protected] Situation Gualin Estate is situated in the far north west of Scotland in the northern shore of the Kyle of Durness, a 5.5 mile coastal inlet a delivery service to the Estate), petrol station, primary school, county of Sutherland. dividing the Cape Wrath peninsula from the mainland. hotel, public house and restaurant in addition to a number of mobile services (bank, library & Sunday papers!). Sutherland is a land of stupendous mountains and spectacular Tourism, sheep farming and crofting are the mainstays of the beaches of silver sand, soaring cliffs and deep caves, rich local economy. North Coast 500 – Scotland’s answer to Route As well as its own sport, Gualin Estate is well placed for many with flora and fauna, wildlife and birdlife. It is one of the last 66 – is a circular touring route that encompasses everything the recreational pursuits. Grouse shooting, red deer stalking and truly natural and unspoilt places left in Britain and part of a area has to offer venturing up the west coast from Inverness and driven pheasant shooting can all be taken on nearby estates. designated National Scenic Area. back via the rugged north coast. The long summer days and the warm current of the Gulf Stream ensure the seawaters are a rich feeding ground for fish. There is Durness, 10 miles to the north, is a small village made up of a Durness has a number of local amenities, including a small plenty to be caught by anglers of all abilities, both just off-shore series of hamlets spread out along the coast beyond the supermarket (with post office), a family run grocer (which offers and further afield, where mackerel, cod, pollock, coalfish and ling can be found. There are also lobsters, crabs Inverness (94 miles), is the principal city for the region and has and a half miles of fishing on the River Dionard (pronounced and langoustines off the west coast where porpoises, dolphins all the facilities of a modern city, including its airport (101 miles) Djer-nard), fishing rights on Loch Dionard and an extremely and otters are regularly seen in the waters. Its deep, clear with regular flights to the south and parts of Europe and a train comfortable manageable lodge surrounded by stunning depths provide ideal conditions for diving. Sutherland, with its station with services which include an overnight sleeper service scenery. spectacular mountain scenery formed from some of the oldest to London. Despite its remote location, the Estate is easily accessible with rocks in the world, is a paradise for both walkers and climbers. public road access to the short entrance drive to Gualin Lodge. The area also has appeal for the golfer with links courses Description There are broadband connections and local deliveries by including the Royal Dornoch championship golf course, Royal Approximately 100 miles north-west of Inverness, between butcher, fishmonger and grocer. Dornoch Struie, Golspie, Brora and Helmsdale (9 holes) in the Rhiconich and Durness and just a few miles from Cape Wrath, east of the county and Bonar Bridge and Durness (9 holes) Gualin Estate comprises some 6,239 acres of ground with seven closer to hand. Gualin Lodge Keeper’s House Gualin Lodge is situated at the western end of the Estate, from which one can sit and watch the passing weather and Constructed of harled stone and brick under a slate roof, screened from the public road by a stand of mature conifer the deer grazing at dusk and dawn immediately in front of the the house is currently occupied by the Keeper and his wife. trees. The house enjoys a wonderful vista over the hill lochs lodge. A well equipped modern kitchen and adjoining utility Accommodation is on two floors and comprises sitting room, below the house and Strath Dionard with the majestic Foinavon room both with fitted wall and floor units includes a Brittania dining room, fitted kitchen, shower room, 3 bedrooms and behind. Views are constantly changing as weather fronts move Range with double electric ovens and gas hob, fridge, freezer, bathroom. Adjacent is the Tenant’s Flat which provides in from the sea and over the surrounding mountains to reveal ice maker, two dishwashers and microwave oven. Laundry alternative self contained guest or overflow accommodation for the dramatic scenery. facilities are housed separately in the former deer larder to the sporting guests. rear of the lodge. Originally built as an Inn by the Duke of Sutherland in 1833, Deer Larder – a fully equipped non-refrigerated larder with the lodge which is built of harled stone under a slate roof, now A drying area, three large built-in cupboards and bathroom sinks, hanging hooks etc. provides comfortable accommodation for up to 9 guests. complete the accommodation of the ground floor. On the first – with sink and deep freezers and W.C off and floor there are four double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a Fish Room The entrance vestibule, with cloakroom and shower room and Ghillie’s Flat above. further bathroom. separate WC off, leads directly into the dining room with its A range of provide useful storage, garaging and serving hatch to the kitchen behind. The Drawing Room lies To the south of the lodge are a range of traditional buildings modern sheds workshop facilities. beyond which boasts a wonderful open fire and a bay window which include: The River Dionard is a spate river which runs from Loch Dionard There are a number of trout lochs on the Estate. The most to the Kyle of Durness. The Estate includes 7.5 miles of salmon productive are the lochs in sight of the lodge where there is a fishing on the upper reaches of the river from Rhigolter Bridge boat. to Loch Dionard from both banks. The Dionard has been Gualin Estate also has the right to fish for migratory and other designated by Marine Scotland as a category Grade 1 river. fish in the Kyle of Durness and to have at least one boat on the Salmon and sea trout can be found throughout the system with Kyle. Gualin Estate is also understood to be the sole proprietor good catches made in the right water conditions. The fishings of the netting rights in the Kyle of Durness (not exercised). consists of six beats including Loch Dionard rotating on a daily basis downstream supporting a maximum of two rods, fishing by fly only, on each beat. Year Salmon Sea Trout 2008 220 35 All the beats have their own distinct character and offer a mixture of slow and fast water and include a total of 59 named 2009 210 46 pools which are at their best after rainfall. Access to the river 2010 405 78 is enhanced by a very good Estate road which runs along the entire length of the river from the top of Beat 2 all the way up to 2011 289 123 Loch Dionard (Beat 6). Access to Beat 1 is by car (from Rhigolter 2012 262 113 Bridge) or by foot from Beat 2. Each beat (with the exception of Beat 1) has a fishing hut with a bottled gas supply and hob for 2013 237 91 elevenes and afternoon tea. The beautiful Strath provides the 2014 (255 incl finnock) 176 199 most idyllic backdrop to any picnic. A bothy on the shore of Loch Dionard can accommodate up to three fishermen and is 2015 154 297 equipped with cooking facilities. 8 year average 219 122 Land A detailed description of the beats is included on the Estate Extending to 6,239 acres (2,525 ha) in total, the Estate extends Other sport website: http://www.gualin-estate.com from just north of the A838 Rhiconich – Durness road and The hill ground provides an excellent habitat for red deer, and extends in a south easterly direction encompassing Strath Loch Dionard at the head of the river is counted as the sixth beat. with the unspoilt challenging terrain and breathtaking views Dionard and hill land rising to the peaks of the Foinaven Hills Its reputation for exciting and prolific sport is supported by Trout it can provide exciting stalking. The stalking is subject to a (2,980’) on the southern boundary. The Estate includes seven & Salmon Magazine which claims Loch Dionard which extends to lease (until 2031) to one of the remaining partners although it is and half miles of the River Dionard and the northern end of Loch over 60 acres to be the best sea trout loch in Scotland. The loch normally made available as part of the sport on offer at Gualin. Dionard. is shared with the neighbouring Reay Estate. Gualin Estate has An average of 8 stags are culled each year. There is good two boats on Loch Dionard with a maximum of four rods.