Land At Tom Meann, Bridge of Gairn, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TY

24.64 Acres (9.97 Hc) of grassland

35.26 Acres (14.26 Hc) of woodland & ponds

Around 59.9 acres (24.23 hectares) in total

Idyllic Royal Deeside location

Set in the Cairngorms National Park

59.9 acres

Description

A rare sanctuary, land at Tom Meann comprises permanent pasture, woodland, and ponds, set within one of Aberdeenshire’s most picturesque landscapes in the heart of Royal Deeside.

Nestled around one mile north west of Ballater, within the Cairngorms National Park, the land extends to approximately 59.9 acres offering a varied landscape of woodland, open water and grazing. At its centre stands ruins of Gairn Castle (also known as Abergairn Castle), an early 17th-century fortified hunting lodge dating from around 1614 and considered the smallest known castle in Scotland. Mature pine trees are present throughout the land along with native woodland including Birch, Rowan & Hazels.

Tom Meann represents a diverse rural holding in Royal Deeside with notable historical and environmental interest. The land has been used for livestock grazing, in accordance with the requirements of the boundary conservation agreements and is suitable for a range of uses, including agriculture & equestrian activities.

Conservation Agreement

The subjects are affected by a Conservation Agreement with the National Trust for Scotland in order to preserve its character. The purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied themselves as to the nature of all rights, burdens and others contained in the Conservation Agreement following their solicitors’ examination of the title deeds. A copy of the Conservation Agreement is available upon request.

This land holds many areas of significance, for which the National Trust of Scotland, and the current owner, are keen to protect through the Conservation Agreement. A Conservation Agreement ensures the long-term protection of the property’s environmental, cultural and landscape value for the benefit of present and future generations.

Situation

Land at Tom Meann is situated just a few miles west of Ballater, in one of Aberdeenshire’s most scenic and sought-after locations. The land benefits from direct access off the public road network via the B972 and is offered for sale as a whole, extending to approximately 61.94 acres (25.07 hectares), including the owned access track.

Suitable for a range of uses, including agriculture, equestrian activities, natural capital projects, and forestry, the area benefits from a well-established local supply chain network to support these enterprises. The archaeological significance of Gairn Castle and all that brings, along with the natural history including the woodland, featuring open ponds and lochans, bogs & rocky outcrops all sit perfectly alongside the open grassland.

Land

The land at Tom Meann extends to approximately 59.9 Acres (24.23 Hectares), comprising around 24.64 acres (9.97 hectares) of grassland and 35.26 acres (14.26 hectares) of woodland and ponds. The land has historically been used for sheep grazing and hay production.

According to The James Hutton Institute, the land is principally classified as Grade 4.2, with a small area of Grade 6.2 located in the north-east point of the forestry fields. The land benefits from a south-facing aspect throughout. The land rises from approximately 225 metres to 300 metres above sea level at its highest point.

It is predominantly enclosed by wire mesh fencing and is accessed directly from the B972 via an internal farm track.