Lot 2 – The Isle of Danna (About 811 acres/328 hectares)

Sometimes described as the ‘jewel in the crown of Tayvallich peninsula’, Danna is an island of more than 800 acres in extent which includes two existing residential properties; a functional range of farm buildings and a boathouse; the remains of an extensive farmstead with development potential on an exceptional site; mixed grade land including good quality pasture, rough grazing, enclosed stands of woodland/forestry, open native woodland and over 6km of coastal frontage including two jetties, several small islands and some stunning beaches.

Existing Houses/Cottages

New Danna Farmhouse A traditional 2-storey stone and slate farmhouse with superb position overlooking the Sound of Jura. Lying beside the principal range of farm buildings, the house provides comfortable accommodation over two floors. The property is currently occupied under a Service Occupancy by the farm stockman.

Port-nan-Gallan A 2-storey traditional house with spectacular position looking across Loch na Cille towards the island of Jura. The living accommodation is on the first floor and is accessible via an external stone staircase. As shown on the floor plans, the accommodation includes 2 bedrooms and the house has been recently vacated following a long term tenancy. It is habitable but in need of some renovation/modernisation. The ground floor of the building includes a spacious boathouse – accessible via the gable end which opens onto the jetty and slipway. A particular feature of the estate overall and this lot in particular, this is a spacious building with gravel floor featuring an unusual barrel-vaulted ceiling. Adjoining the exterior of the main building is a further lean-to store. The boathouse is occupied by the vendors and therefore available to purchasers with vacant possession.

Farm and Estate Buildings A range of traditional and modern buildings situated beside New Danna Farmhouse includes three steel portal-framed livestock sheds comprising a general purpose/sheep shed (13m x 36m), a cattle court (20m x 37m), and a cubicle shed (9m x 25m). In addition, there is a traditional stone steading building (6m x 11m). This is the principal set of agricultural buildings used by the in-hand farming business and they are all available with vacant possession to a purchaser.

Redundant Houses/Cottages Danna na Cloiche Situated 500m to the south of New Danna with access via a track accessible by 4WD vehicle only, this is the extensive remnants of a former farmstead featuring two dwellings and two ranges of farm buildings partially enclosing a courtyard. Having been uninhabited for many years, the two dwellings are substantially dilapidated but, in each case, their physical structure remains largely intact including the majority of roof timbers and slates. Lying at the northern and southern ends of the site, there are two ranges of former farm buildings which are also in advanced state of dilapidation with the exception of two sections which have been partially re-roofed to provide shelter for livestock.

With its isolated setting and outstanding panoramic views, this site is considered to be well suited to residential development – perhaps as a single principal dwelling serving Danna Island; as a number of dwellings (for permanent or temporary use) or for some other form of functional use.

The vendors have not engaged in discussions with Argyll & Bute Council over the potential development of the site but advice received from independent consultants suggests that, with the appropriate approach to the planning application, this site offers huge potential for a visionary development of some form.

Land Danna includes some of the best and most productive agricultural land which is enclosed as livestock proof and includes provision of drinking water.

Islands and Coastline Lying off the coast of Danna are several small and uninhabited islands together with over 6km of coastline on Loch Sween, Loch na Cille and the Sound of Jura. There are two jetties at Port nan Gallan together with boathouse and mooring which enables boats of varying sizes to be kept on the island and used for recreation and exploration of the Argyll and inner Hebridean coastline – both far and near.

The southern shore of the island includes several very attractive sandy beaches and a further feature is Rubha Bhreatanich (‘British Point’ in Gaelic) – a small, semiwooded peninsula extending north from the main island and lying between the open sea of Loch Sween on the west side and the estuary of Ceann an t-Sailean (‘Head of Beams’) on the east side.

Sport/Amenity and Natural Capital Danna Island provides extensive potential for ecological enhancement/restoration including expansion of native woodland and restoration of wetlands.

For traditional field sports enthusiasts, there are red, sika and roe deer on the island offering stalking opportunities; there are two flight ponds close to Danna na Cloiche and potential for wild and reared game shooting.

The ability to access the sea and moor a boat enables almost endless sport, leisure or recreation on or in the sea.

This property has 811 acres of land.

Situation

Situation Situated at the head of the Knapdale peninsula in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland, the Ulva peninsula and the Isle of Danna sit at – and just off – the southern tip of the Tayvallich peninsula – a ‘finger’ of terrain which incorporates some of the most geologically and ecologically important landscape in Scotland and runs southwest for about 15 miles from Loch Crinan at the north end to the southern tip of Danna Island where Loch Sween meets the Atlantic Ocean in the Sound of Jura.

Rich with cultural history and the remnants of ancient civilisation – the cross and remains of the church at Keills at the southern end of the peninsula dates from the 8th Century and there are many more recent vestigial settlements throughout the peninsula, and the estate – the natural history of the Tayvallich peninsula is of particular importance as evidenced by the three different Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and five different Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to which the peninsula is subject.

Accessibility to the peninsula and to the subjects of sale is by means of a single track public road with passing places which leads southwest from Bellanoch on the Crinan Canal between Cairnbaan and Crinan. The village of Tayvallich - a charming settlement and thriving community occupying the isthmus between Loch a’ Bhealaich on the east side and Carsaig Bay on the Sound of Jura lies 7 miles from Bellanoch and 12 miles from Lochgilphead – the administrative centre of the region where Argyll & Bute Council is headquartered.

Tayvallich village includes a community-owned village shop and hotel with bar and restaurant. There is also a primary school in the village and an active Community Hall (a registered charity) which plays host to a variety of events throughout the year. The bay – Loch a’ Bhealaich – which the village overlooks, provides moorings for a number of yachts and boats with Tayvallich being a popular base from which to explore the Inner Hebrides and the wider west coast of Scotland. Between March and September, a passenger service operates from Tayvallich to Craighouse on the Isle of Jura – another of Scotland’s less frequented natural historical delights. Charter boats can also be hired from either Tayvallich or Crinan to enable further exploring and/or for wildlife watching or sea fishing.

An important centre of commerce, Lochgilphead provides a variety of retailers, suppliers and facilities including a supermarket, two garages/petrol stations a 9-hole golf course; and a Community Secondary School with a range of facilities including swimming pool, leisure centre, gym and several sports pitches.

The closest airport with scheduled internal and international flights is at Glasgow (90 miles) which can be reached in around 2½ hours under normal traffic conditions. Small, fixed-wing private aircraft can be landed at Oban airport which lies 44 miles and about 1½ hours’ drive to the north.

In historical terms, the county of Argyll formed the major part of the kingdom of Dalriada, which is believed to have been settled by Gaels from Ireland with its capital at the fort of Dunadd near Lochgilphead. The county is strewn with remnant forts, castles and standing stones from this period which includes an ancient fort – Dun Mhuirich – a Scheduled Monument on the shore of Linne Mhuirich within Tayvallich Estate.

The quality of sailing off the Argyll coast and Inner Hebrides is of world-renown. With the estate’s own boating facilities together with moorings in the bay at Tayvallich village and fully-equipped marinas further north at Kilmelford and Craobh Haven, as well as a boat yard in Crinan, Ulva and Danna are perfectly placed for sailing enthusiasts to explore much of the west coast. The Northern Irish coast lies less than 50 miles off Danna and is therefore also reasonably accessible – either for day trips or longer explorations given both appropriate weather conditions and vessel.

With two jetties and an exquisite, spacious barrel-vaulted boathouse at Port nan Gallan on Danna Island, the estate provides the opportunity for sea fishing, lobster and crab potting and a range of water sports. The sea fishing and lobster potting is of particular renown in the Sound of Jura.

Another gem of the area is the Taynish National Nature Reserve which is owned and managed by NatureScot and lies on the east side of Linne Mhuirich incorporating some of the most geologically and ecologically important landscape in Scotland. Lying just to the north of Ulva and Danna and renowned for its ‘temperate rainforest’ dominated by ancient oak woodland, there is a variety of waymarked trails enabling visitors to explore this magnificent Reserve.