Beirhope Farm HOWNAM • ROXBURGHSHIRE Beirhope Farm HOWNAM • ROXBURGHSHIRE • TD5 8AP A productive stock farm in the Cheviot foothills Accommodation and amenities Traditional farmhouse with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 reception rooms, kitchen, attic room Traditional and modern farm buildings Arable/temporary grass, permanent pasture and rough grazing Commercial/amenity woodland In all about 531 acres (214.85 hectares) For sale as a whole Jedburgh 7 miles • Kelso 10 miles • Edinburgh 55 miles • (Distances approximate) These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the text. Situation Beirhope is situated in the heart of the Scottish Borders about 7 miles east of the historic former Royal Burgh of Jedburgh and 10 miles south of Kelso. Jedburgh and Kelso, with their ruined abbeys, are both bustling towns and popular tourist destinations and provide schooling, a modern health centre, shops, supermarkets, hotels and a range of professional services. Morebattle (approximately 4.5 miles) has a village shop, butcher, primary school and pub. The Scottish Borders has a vibrant agricultural community with a reputation for some of the finest produce and breeding stock in Scotland. Farming needs are well catered for in the locality and there are regular livestock markets in St Boswells, Longtown, Hexham and Carlisle. The Border Union Show at Springwood Park, Kelso in July is the highlight in the local farming calendar and, in September, Springwood Park also hosts the annual ram sale with some 5,000 rams from over 500 consignors. The spectacular rolling landscape of the Cheviot Hills offers unrivalled scenic beauty and the area is renowned for its wealth of sporting and recreational opportunities with a strong equestrian tradition. High quality pheasant and partridge shooting is available locally and the river Tweed is famous for its salmon fishing. It is possible to hunt with a number of different packs including the local hunt the Jed Forest and also the Duke of Buccleuch’s and Border Hunts. There are frequent National Hunt race meetings at Kelso (10 miles) and the golfer can take on the championship Roxburghe course. History The earliest record of Beirhope forming part of the Roxburghe Estates dates from 1718 when part was acquired by the Kers of Cessford but by 1732 the whole of the present farm was owned and let at a rent of £51pa. In 1838 the farm was let to James Shiell, beginning a long association with the Shiell family which continued until November 2013 on the retirement of George Shiell, great grandson of James. Directions From Morebattle, head south towards Hownam along an unclassified road that runs alongside the Kale Water. On entering Hownam, take the first right turn and proceed for approximately 1.5 miles. The entrance to Beirhope is the first turn on the left. Description Beirhope Steading The farm extends to approximately 530.90 acres (214.85 hectares) The farm buildings at Beirhope consist of a mixture of modern portal with a useful mix of arable, pasture, hill ground and woodland. framed buildings and a range of traditional stone barns with slate The respective areas are as follows: roofs. Some of the traditional buildings, particularly the old bothy have development potential, subject to obtaining the necessary consents. Arable 51.33ac (20.77ha) The traditional stone buildings are situated behind the house with the Permanent Pasture 380.44ac (153.94ha) modern cattle court set apart from the main body of buildings. Hill 51.33ac (20.77ha) (See block plan showing farm buildings and dimensions). Woodland 42.53ac (17.22ha) Access Miscellaneous 5.29ac (2.15ha) Access from the minor classified road is by way of an adopted public Total 530.92 (214.85ha) road up to the steading. Two paths cross the farm but they are not (See acreage schedule and plan for field sizes and land use) public rights of way. Beirhope farmhouse and steading are approximately 650ft (200m) Sporting Rights above sea level; the farm rises to 1,080ft (329m) at its highest point The sporting rights are in-hand. The woodland and banks provide the (Hare Law). The farm is classified as Grade 5 by the Macaulay basis for a small, entertaining rough shoot. Institute with Less Favoured Areas status, is undulating with a mainly north-easterly aspect and commands magnificent views of the Timber surrounding countryside. Stone dykes and fences have been well All standing and fallen timber is included in the sale. The mature maintained, whilst field watering is from both natural and private pipe forestry plantations were all planted in 1972 with some more recent supplies. The land ranges from arable ground capable of producing restocking and are a mix of Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, Scots Pine good yields of silage and forage crops, to permanent pasture, and Japanese Larch. wetland, hill (some improved) and woodland. There is considerable opportunity to enhance the bio-diversity of the farm through creation Minerals of suitable features and from sensitive habitat management. The mineral rights are included within the sale in so far as they Maximum stocking on the holding is estimated to be 600 ewes plus are owned. hoggs and tups wintered on the farm. In addition to this there is capacity Environmental Issues/Designations to bring in 40 head of cattle for grazing over the summer months. At these stocking levels the farm has previously been self sufficient in terms Beirhope lies within a Less Favoured Area and is also within a of hay/silage with 330 round bales of hay being made in 2014. Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. The Iron Age Fort on Thowliestane Hill is a scheduled ancient monument under the Ancient Monuments and Beirhope Farmhouse Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The farmhouse stands in an attractive south-facing position on the Services lower side of the steading with a lovely outlook over the farm. The ground floor contains 2 reception rooms, family room/bedroom, Mains electricity, private water supply, oil fired central heating, private kitchen and utility room and, on the first floor, 2 bedrooms and drainage to septic tank. Most of the windows are double glazed. bathroom and a separate floored attic. It has central heating These services have not been tested and therefore there is no throughout and is in good condition, although may benefit from some warranty from the agents. upgrading. There is potential to modify the existing accommodation Outgoings to incorporate the floored attic. (See floor plans for room dimensions Council Tax – Beirhope Farmhouse – Band D and layout). Tenure Closing Date i) All (if any) growing and harvested crops including hay, straw, silage, seeds, organic fertiliser, feeding stuffs, medicines, Vacant possession. A closing date may be fixed. Prospective purchasers who have minerals, oils, farmyard manure and commodities on the farm; formally noted their interest, in writing, will be advised of a closing Entry date unless the property has been sold previously. ii) All (if any) cultivations carried out in preparation for the 2015 Proposed date of entry – by arrangement. crop valued on a seeds, fertilisers, spray and cultivation basis. Conditions of Sale Viewing 3. Grants, subsidies and LFASS payments 1. Beirhope Viewing is strictly by prior appointment with Knight Frank LLP. No SFPS/BPS entitlements will be offered for sale. Interested Unless specifically mentioned, items not included in the sale Prior to making an appointment to view, the joint agents strongly parties are recommended to contact Scottish Government Rural particulars are excluded from the sale. recommend that you discuss any particular points which are Payments and Inspections Division at Galashiels (01896 892 likely to affect your interest in the property with a member of 2. Farm Ingoing 400 [email protected]) who will be able to provide staff who has seen the property in order that you do not make a In addition to the purchase price, the purchaser will be bound to guidance on the eligibility of the farm for LFASS payments in 2015 wasted journey. take over at valuation the following (where applicable): and acquisition of entitlements. Beirhope Schedule Land use Parcel Acres Ha Buildings / yard, etc 0336 2.78 1.13 Arable/Temporary Grass 1979 16.78 6.79 Arable/Temporary Grass 7921 16.75 6.78 Arable/Temporary Grass 9766 17.80 7.20 Permanent Grass 0485 1.37 0.55 Permanent Grass 1352 4.52 1.83 Permanent Grass 2052 233.22 94.38 Permanent Grass 2664 0.73 0.29 Permanent Grass 2812 7.10 2.87 Permanent Grass 3783 16.98 6.87 Hill 6240 51.33 20.77 Permanent Grass 8342 7.05 2.85 Permanent Grass 9131 1.50 0.61 Permanent Grass 9318 2.16 0.87 Permanent Grass 9608 0.28 0.11 Permanent Grass 0223 5.71 2.31 Permanent Grass 1006 7.06 2.86 Permanent Grass 1423 1.25 0.51 Permanent Grass 1914 1.39 0.56 Permanent Grass 2001 1.37 0.56 4. Title of Entry. This deposit will be non-returnable in the event of a Permanent Grass 2137 13.03 5.27 Permanent Grass 4904 23.58 9.54 The subjects are sold under the conditions in the Title Deeds, purchaser failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable Rights of Way (if any) and water rights affecting the same, whether to the Sellers or their agents. Interest will be payable on the Permanent Grass 5965 24.32 9.84 shown in the Title Deeds or not. They will be sold as possessed balance from the date fixed as Date of Entry (whether actual Permanent Grass 7787 18.70 7.57 by the Seller and no warranty is given.