Bad Na Sgalaig Croft, By Gairloch, Wester Ross, Highland, IV21 2DA

A beautiful area of owner-occupied croft land with native woodland and lochside cottage site

About 897.2 acres (363.1 hectares)

Spectacular west coast location

Former keeper’s cottage and byre set in stunning lochside position, offering potential for redevelopment.

Established native woodlands

Current Eligibility for native woodland regeneration scheme under the Forestry Grant Scheme

Woodland Carbon potential

Approval in place for new access road and bridge

Excellent amenity

For sale as a whole

897.2 acres

Bad na Scalaig Croft is located in a scenic area of Wester Ross, lying on the south side of the River Kerry and adjacent to Loch Bad na Scalaig and Dubh Loch.

The land lies approximately 4 miles south of Gairloch, and about 67 miles north west of Inverness, which is considered to be the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Gairloch offers a good range of local services including shops, cafes and both primary and secondary schooling. Rail connections can be accessed at Achnasheen, around 40 minutes by car to the east. Inverness provides a broad range of retail outlets including supermarkets together with excellent cultural and entertainment facilities. Inverness is well connected by road with good rail links to the rest of the UK including the Caledonian Sleeper service which runs between London Euston and Inverness. Inverness airport provides regular flights to London and other UK and European destinations.

The dramatic mountains, rugged moorlands, lochs and rivers, for which the Highlands are so famous, makes Bad na Scalaig the ideal place in which to escape modern life. In addition to the those offered on the croft itself, the region provides a wide range of sporting and leisure opportunities including extensive hillwalking routes, climbing and mountain biking routes all in the surrounding hills and glens, with sailing, fishing, shooting and deer stalking all available locally.

Bad na Scalaig croft is a large upland land holding, extending to approximately 360.74 Ha of owner occupied croft land, plus a further 2.36 Ha of non crofted land on the shores of Loch Bad na Scalaig. The land is undulating, lying between 50m and 220m above sea level, and comprises a mix of native woodland and heather grazing land. Traditionally used for sheep grazing, the land has been more recently used for establishment of native woodlands, enhancing the biodiversity of the land.

The native woodland scheme was established in 2005, comprising a mix of low density Scots Pine and Native Broadleaf species. The current woodland cover within the scheme area is estimated to be approximately 80 Ha of which 56 Ha is Scots Pine and the remaining 24 Ha is predominately upland birch. In addition there are some semi natural ancient designated temperate rainforest woodlands located on the south west side of the croft at A’Chlais, comprising a mix of Native Broadleaf species and extending to approximately 34 Ha.

The current owners have approval of both a Woodland Management Plan and an application under Scottish Forestry’s Forestry Grant Scheme for a native Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) and Sustainable Management of Forests – Native Woodlands (SMF). The regeneration scheme has the potential to be registered under the Woodland Carbon Code, allowing the associated carbon credits to be quantified and verified. Further details are available from the selling agents.

On the western side of the croft is an area of non crofted land extending to 2.36 Ha. This area includes a former Keeper’s cottage and byre which offers opportunity for redevelopment subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. There are no services connected to the site at present.

Right of Pre Emption

The land is subject to a right of pre emption in favour of Gairloch Estate, who would have the opportunity to match any offer received for the property. The selling agents will be happy to discuss any queries on this matter with interested parties.