Wester Ross croft in ‘simply stunning' Highland setting hits market for £600k-plus

PROPERTY agents handling the £600,000-plus sale of a Wester Ross croft in 'a simply stunning setting' are anticipating interest from a wide range of potential purchasers. A former Keeper's Cottage and byre which offers the opportunity for development, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents, potential buyers are told. Picture: Galbraith They reckon that Bad na Scalaig, with a landholding extending to some 363.1 hectares, could be seen as 'the ideal place to escape modern life and enjoy a slower pace of life in the heart of Wester Ross'. The croft on the south side of the River Kerry, overlooking Loch Bad na Scalaig and Dubh Loch, has been brought to market by rural specialist Galbraith. SEE ALSO Highland farmers and land managers invited to learn how trees can help businesses with input from Knockbain Farm, SRUC and Scottish Forestry Highland estate in Strathglass put up for sale for offers over £3.25m through estate agency Strutt & Parker It sits some four miles south of Gairloch and about 67 miles north-west of Inverness. The croft boasts a mix of native woodland and heather grazing land. There is an area of designated temperate rainforest located on the south west side of the croft at A'Chlais, with a mix of native species. Bad Na Scalaig is described as 'the ideal place to escape modern life and enjoy a slower pace of life in the heart of Wester Ross'. Picture: Galbraith Claire Acheson of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: 'In a simply stunning setting of moors, mountains and lochs, Bad na Scalaig is the ideal place to escape modern life and enjoy a slower pace of life in the heart of Wester Ross. 'In addition to the woodland regeneration potential, there is the opportunity to restore the former cottage to create a home to one's own specification, subject to planning permission. The sense of peace and connection to nature in the area is restorative and the property is likely to appeal to a wide range of purchasers'. Bad Na Scalaig is expected to attract significant interest, says the selling agent. Picture: Galbraith Traditionally used for sheep grazing, the land has more recently been used for the establishment of native woodlands. Planting began in 2005, with a mix of low density Scots pine and broadleaf species, predominantly upland birch. The current owners have approval for both a Woodland Management Plan and an application under Scottish Forestry's Forestry Grant Scheme for a native Woodland Improvement Grant and Sustainable Management of Forests – Native Woodlands. The regeneration scheme has the potential to be registered under the Woodland Carbon Code, allowing the associated carbon credits to be quantified and verified. On the western side of the croft is an area of non-crofted land, extending to about 2.36ha and enjoying what is sdecsribed as 'a peaceful lochside setting'. This area includes a former Keeper's Cottage and byre which offers the opportunity for development, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. There are no services connected to the site at present. Approval has been granted for a new access road and bridge. Potential buyers are told that rail connections can be accessed at Achnasheen, around 40 minutes by car to the east and that Inverness 'offers excellent cultural, retail and entertainment facilities and is well connected by road, rail and air to the rest of the UK'. Bad na Scalaig croft is for sale as a whole through Galbraith for offers over £600,000. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.