Lot: Ardhuncart Estate, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33

CLOSING DATE: Noon on 7th September 2021

Lot 4 ? Mains of Brux Farm (About 109.48 acres)

Situated on the south side of the River Don and occupying the western slopes of the valley of the Ferneybrae Burn which joins the Don opposite the drive to Ardhuncart Lodge, this is a small upland livestock farm which represents an outstanding ?blank canvas’ for purchasers looking for a residential development and ecological restoration project.

With access via an agricultural track over which this lot has a vehicular right of access through the adjoining estate for a distance of about a mile from Delphorrie Bridge, Mains of Brux is a broadly rectangular block of land of undulating topography on south bank of the Don valley which varies in altitude from 180m (600ft) to 300m (1,000ft) above sea level.

In terms of built infrastructure, Mains of Brux Farmhouse is a traditional one-and-a-half-storey stone and slate farmhouse with single storey extension to the western gable end. Whilst the building has long been uninhabited, the masonry and slate roofs remain largely intact and with an outstanding outlook from its elevated position, this building is considered to be well suited to restoration or replacement, subject to planning consent.

Lying close to the farmhouse are the remnants of the outbuildings which originally served the farm and may also provide future development footprints, subject to planning.

To the west of the farmhouse is an area in third party ownership which is not included as part of lot 4.

The land within this lot is analysed as follows:

26 acres arable
74 acres permanent pasture
8 acres rough grazing/woods
1 acre miscellaneous
109 ACRES TOTAL

The entirety of the land within this lot is categorised as grade 4i in terms of productive capability and in practice has mostly been grazed as permanent pasture although some of the fields are capable of being cropped.

The land is farmed under a Short Limited Duration Tenancy for a three-year period commencing December 2020. Vacant possession for the purchaser will therefore be available in December 2023.

Within this lot there is a small extent of native woodland lying in the valley of the Ferneybrae Burn and, following recovery of vacant possession, there is scope to considerably extend the woodland and enhance the biodiversity of this beautifully positioned small farm.

In recent years, the sporting rights over this lot have been leased to the neighbouring estate but they are available to a purchaser with vacant possession and currently comprise a combination of roe deer stalking and rough shooting for mixed game.