Retiring Scottish farm family put 'most expensive Scottish farm in a decade' up for sale

Wester Rarichie
Wester Rarichie

A retiring Scottish farm family has put their land up for sale in the Highlands with a price tag of just under £8.5million making it one of the largest sales in Scotland for the past 10 years.

The trio of farms, owned and run by the Whiteford family, are situated in the Fear Peninsula, near Tain in Easter Ross.

Shandwick Mains, Wester Rarichie and Castlecraig are described by selling agents Strutt and Parker as 'one of the finest collections of farms in Scotland.'

Castlecraig
Castlecraig

"It is the single largest farm instruction in Scotland for many years and, as such, will command a great deal of attention in the agricultural industry," said Strutt and Parker's Scottish chairman Andrew Rettie.

"I anticipate we will attract buyers from Scotland, the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe."

'Wonderful environment'

Shandwick
Shandwick

Stewart Whiteford said his he and his brothers reached the collective decision to retire from farming.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to farm and live in this vibrant community.

"It has also been a wonderful environment in which to bring up our families and we have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful part of the world to any prospective buyers."

Extending to 2,397 acres, the farms are offered for sale as a whole, as three individual farms, or 13 sub-lots.

Shandwick Mains is described as an 'exceptional arable farm' with with 327 ring-fenced acres. It includes a 1,200t grain store with drying facilities, two cattle courts plus storage and a large farmhouse.

Wester Rarichie is a large arable and stock farm extending to 1,094 acres. Grass is grazed by 190 head of Stabiliser cross Angus plus a 700-strong Blackface breeding flock

Castlecraig is an arable and livestock-rearing farm stretching across 933 acres. The farm's livestock currently includes 110 suckler cattle and 700 Scotch Mules.

It includes a 350-sow indoor pig unit, cottages and a seven-bedroom period farmhouse.