Rare organic stock farm

A rare opportunity to acquire an organic stock farm in the Scottish Borders is being offered through Savills Edinburgh office. Kidshielhaugh lies in a secluded valley on the southern slopes of the Lammermuir Hills, about five miles north of Duns, a thriving small town at the heart of the Berwickshire farming community.

Kidshielhaugh extends to about 894 acres, of which about 214 acres are arable, 162 acres permanent pasture, and 438 acres are hill grazing. The farmhouse and buildings nestle well down in the valley at about 560 ft, on the eastern edge of the farm. The highest point on the farm is the summit of Black Hill (1120 ft). Part of the Black Hill Wind Farm lies within Kidshielhaugh, although it takes access from a neighbouring farm. There is excellent quality grass on the Black Hill, which can be grazed, and when the wind farm ceases to be operative, the land will revert to the purchaser of Kidshielhaugh.

Kidshielhaugh has been in seller’s family since 1935, as tenants initially, until they purchased it in 1982. It is operated in-hand by one man. There is a closed flock of around 800 breeding ewes, mainly Lleyn and Blackface crosses, and currently are around 250 hoggs. Lambing is outdoors in April, and lambs are sold fat off the land in the autumn. Each year between 300 and 500 store lambs are bought in the autumn and sold fat. A neighbour runs about 50 suckler cows on the hill between June and November with payment made on a headage basis. Forage rape and turnips are grown for feed.

The majority of the farm will complete a conversion to organic status in September 2007; the remainder, essentially one field, will convert in September 2009. Anna Thomas of Savills comments: “Kidshielhaugh presents an ideal opportunity for a would-be organic farmer, who can get in at a relatively late stage in the conversion process, instead of having to start from scratch.” The farm lies wholly within a Less Favoured Area, and also currently benefits from Land Management Contract and both Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme payments.

Some 57 acres of mixed woodland provide shelter for stock and amenity for wildlife. They also add to the sporting potential of the farm, and the combination of the topography and woodlands offers a wonderful opportunity to develop an entertaining shoot. Several burns drain into the Mill Burn, which winds parallel to the farm road for about half a mile before branching east en route to the Whiteadder Water. This burn not only supplies the farmhouse, fields and steading, but also offers an opportunity to create ponds for recreation or sport. There are two small ponds at present. Roe deer are regularly seen.

Kidshielhaugh Farmhouse is an attractive 19th century house at the heart of the farm. It retains many of its original period features including ceiling cornices, a stone floored entrance porch, and fireplaces in the bedrooms. On the ground floor are three well proportioned reception rooms, kitchen and conservatory. On the first floor are four bedrooms, a box room, a family bathroom and a separate WC. To the north of the house is a wooden stable with two loose boxes with a central feed store.

The original, well-preserved stone built steading range is B listed and offers wonderful potential for conversion to residential use, with scope for four large homes, each with its own courtyard for which plans have been drawn up. The planners have given a positive initial reaction to this scheme and also three sites for new houses.

Kidshielhaugh is offered for sale as a whole, with a guide price of offers over £1.4 million.

For further information, visit savills.com.