The Property Extending to about 590 acres in total, Blingery is an agricultural and residential estate in an accessible part of Caithness. With a core featuring a handsome and substantial principal house with beautiful garden, two further cottages, an expansive and well preserved range of 19th Century farm buildings, a pair of large, functional more modern buildings and good extent and balance of land, the component assets are as follows:

Lot 1 – Blingery Farm – about 475 acres

Blingery House Originally built as a shooting lodge to serve Blingery grouse moor, Blingery House lies at the heart of the estate. Whilst lying conveniently close to the range of farm buildings, the house has a large garden and policies which provide a buffer and ensure a high degree of peace and privacy. The house, which is of traditional stone and slate construction, has an elevated position with views to the north and east.

The accommodation within the house is over two floors and boasts well-proportioned reception rooms and large principal bedrooms, finished to a high quality in a traditional style. Internal features include decorative cornices, panelled doors, working window shutters and open fireplaces with decorative tiled surrounds. In the hall and stairwell, a tall south-facing stairwell window enables a large amount of natural sunlight into the heart of the house. The main part of the house includes three reception rooms, kitchen and dining conservatory on the ground floor and three bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor.

Adjoining the west side of the house over two storeys is the former staff accommodation which is self-contained and includes a bathroom and a further bedroom.

With regard to internet connection, Blingery lies at the very edge of the present wire-based capability and, therefore, the vendor subscribes to a satellite service (Tooway Direct) which works well.

With additional services including central heating served by a recently installed biomass boiler, mains water and private drainage to a septic tank, the extent and dimension of the accommodation in Blingery House are shown on the floorplans.

With a roundel in front and ample parking for several cars, the house is accessed from the private road to the farm buildings via a wooden entrance gates with stone piers.

Having been established by the vendor during his 25 years of ownership of Blingery, the garden at Blingery House is spectacular. The front garden consists of large areas of lawn with a central roundel and peripheral shrubbery. From the first snowdrops in late winter, through to daffodils in April and bluebells, primroses and crocuses in May, wild flowers are a feature of the garden.

Behind the house, recently enlarged and enclosed by a high dry stone wall, is the formal garden with terraced borders and beds featuring a variety of shrubs, plants and flowers providing vivid colour throughout the summer.

Within the garden area is a stone-built implement store and potting shed.

Blingery Mains Situated beside the farm buildings, this is a two-storey stone cottage with a south-easterly aspect.

Having benefitted from investment during the vendor’s ownership, the accommodation within the cottage is set out over two floors and is comfortable, modernised and well maintained. With mains water and electricity, biomass central heating and private drainage, the accommodation can be briefly summarised as follows:

Ground floor: kitchen, living room, bedroom, shower room.

First Floor: 2 bedrooms, WC.

The cottage is occupied by the vendor’s farm manager under a Service Occupancy.

The Bothy Situated about 300 metres to the southwest of Blingery Mains and steading with access via a track passable by two-wheel drive vehicle, this is a traditional single storey stone and slate cottage with a peaceful setting and fine views. Having been redundant for a number of years, the Bothy was renovated to a high standard for use as a studio 10 years ago.

With mains water, mains electricity, private drainage and oil-fired central heating, the accommodation includes an open plan kitchen, sitting and dining room, double bedroom and bathroom with WC.

Farm Buildings There is an extensive and well-maintained range of farm buildings at Blingery. Dating from circa 1850 when Blingery House was also built, and constructed of locally hewn stone beneath the original graded slate roofs, the buildings have been progressively repaired and renovated by the current owner over the last 25 years and are a striking feature of the estate.

The traditional buildings include both single and two-storey buildings and remain practical and functional for contemporary agricultural occupation.

Unusually, the buildings include a large loft which for many years served as the venue for local dances including a dancefloor extending to about 90 feet x 18 feet.

The buildings partially enclose three courtyards/ stackyards. The eastern courtyard has an excellent range of modern sheep handling facilities, whilst the northern and western stackyards provide ample space for manoeuvring machinery and livestock. Complementing the traditional range of buildings are two modern buildings, described as follows:

Sheep Shed (36m x 15m) – Steel portal frame with drive-through central feed passage and concrete floor. The lower walls are of concrete block construction with timber space board above and corrugated roof.

Barn/General Purpose Shed (27m x 9m) – Portal framed building with concrete floor, timber side cladding and corrugated roof.

The buildings are served by a three-phase mains electricity supply. The water supply comprises metered mains water with an additional supply from a private borehole situated within the subjects of sale.

Upper Refaithy In addition to the farm buildings, there is a ruined former steading at Upper Refaithy on the south-eastern boundary. With vehicular access but no existing services, this is a potential site for the development of an additional residential property at Blingery.

Land Lying between about 50 metres and 90 metres (167 feet and 300 feet) above sea level, the land at Blingery has a northerly aspect draining into the Achairn Burn, a tributary of the Wick River. In terms of land quality, the best of the land surrounds the houses and buildings and is classified as grade 4(2) in quality by the James Hutton Institute for soil research. The generally excellent state of condition of the stone dykes, fences and gates is a notable feature of the farm.

The lower grade land on Blingery lies on the southern and western fringes of the estate. Comprising a higher peat content and much less free draining, this is classified as grade 6(3) in quality.

In the last five years, the vendor has reseeded, applied base Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) and limed circa 140 acres of the best ground. The field drains are in generally excellent condition, all gates open and close as their manufacturers intended and the walls are in good repair throughout.

Farming System In recent years, the system of farming at Blingery has been based on the production of lambs, which are finished on the farm and sold (net of replacements) directly for slaughter. With a total stocking of around 1,000 ewes and hoggs, based on a core flock of North Country Cheviot cross Blue-faced Leicester mule ewes plus selected other breeds, a consistent lambing percentage of around 150% over all ages is achieved at Blingery.

Sporting Blingery includes three ponds which can be fed to attract wild duck. The largest pond is close to the northern boundary and can provide particularly exciting sport attracting good numbers of both mallard and teal plus a few widgeon. In addition, there is seasonal rough shooting for snipe and woodcock, together with roe deer stalking and the opportunity to shoot the occasional red deer.

Renewable Energy There is a lease in favour of E.ON in respect of access over part of Blingery hill ground to the Camster 1 wind farm to the southwest. The lease term is 27 years from 7 December 2010 with the annual rent being index linked to RPI. The rent paid under this lease represents a significant revenue stream. Further details of this lease and the rent payable are available from the selling agents.

Commissioned in July 2013 and comprising 25 turbines, Camster 1 Wind Farm is operated by E.ON UK Renewables Ltd (E.ON) and is situated on land owned by the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) adjoining Blingery to the southwest.

A second potential wind farm adjoining Camster 1, also situated on land owned FCS, and adjoining Blingery, has been identified by E.ON. A scoping document has been submitted by E.ON to key statutory consultees and local community councils to seek views on what should be included in the formal studies to be conducted by E.ON. A formal planning application by E.ON is anticipated in due course. Further information is available via E.ON’s website – www.eonenergy.com.

The Heads of Terms of an Option Agreement between E.ON and the vendor have been agreed with respect to the granting of vehicular access in favour of E.ON over the road passing through the hill ground on the eastern part of Blingery. The purchaser of Lot 1 shall be obliged to enter into an agreement with the seller whereby the purchaser and/or his successors shall be obliged to pay the seller (i) 50% of any further income, including any capital payment, accruing to the purchaser and/ or their successors from any additional turbines on Camster wind farm; and (ii) 50% of the income, including any capital payment, from any new agreements entered into by the purchaser and/ their successors in relation to the said wind farm, and that in both cases for a period of 25 years following the date of entry. Located within the farm steading is a recently installed biomass boiler which serves Blingery House and Mains Cottage which also generates useful income under the government sponsored Renewable Heat Incentive.

Raffy Quarry Located within field 2 is a former quarry which is a very useful source of stone and gravel for maintenance of farm roads and tracks.

Lot 2 – Land at East Blingery – about 115 acres

Lying to the east of the main part of Blingery, adjacent to the public road, is a block of approximately 115 acres of additional bare farmland. This is graded a combination of 4(1), 4(2) and 5(1) by the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research.

This land lies at about 40 metres to 50 metres above sea level and generally has a neutral aspect. The land can be accessed directly off the public road and also has the benefit of a right of access through the property known as Upper Puldagon.

Basic Payment Scheme: The vendor has submitted an application pre-15 June 2015 to claim a Basic Payment. The Basic Payment Entitlements in respect of Blingery are included in the sale. If the farm is sold in Lots the Entitlements will be apportioned on a pro rata basis. The subsidy from the Basic Payment in relation to the 2015 farming year will be retained by the seller.

Further information in relation to the Basic Payment can be obtained from the selling agents.

Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme: Blingery lies wholly within a Less Favoured Area. Any payment made by SGRPID under the above scheme in relation to the 2015/16 farming year will be retained by the seller. The purchaser will be responsible for any claims made by SGRPID under the scheme against the seller in respect of any payments made prior to completion which are the result of the purchaser’s actions.

Farm code: Blingery is registered by Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) under the code 283/0134.

This property has 590 acres of land.

Situation

Blingery (which rhymes with “gingery”) is approximately four miles to the southwest of Wick in mainland UK’s most northerly county, Caithness. Wick has a good range of the usual utilities and a commercial airport with daily scheduled flights to Aberdeen and Edinburgh. The airport can also accommodate private jet aircraft. The railway station has daily services to Inverness.

Twenty miles away is the town of Thurso. It has a population of around 9,000 people and is the commercial centre of the far north of Scotland. Just outside Thurso is the port of Scrabster from which the car ferry sails three times a day (twice in winter) to Stromness on the island of Orkney. Stromness is one of several destinations on the Orkney islands that are world renowned. Others are Scapa Flow, Skara Brae and the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm. The latter is most easily accessed by the ferry from Gills Bay, to the west of John O’ Groats.

Caithness is a well-established agricultural area and therefore has a good range of suppliers and contractors. There is a local livestock market at Quoybrae which has regular sales throughout the year. There are also weekly sales in Dingwall, which is approximately 90 miles to the south.

In contrast to the more mountainous county of Sutherland to the west, Caithness is a land of open, rolling farmland, moorland and scattered settlements. The area is fringed to the north and east by dramatic coastal scenery and is home to large, internationally important colonies of seabirds. The surrounding waters of the Pentland Firth and the North Sea hold a great diversity of marine life. Away from the coast, the landscape is dominated by open moorland and blanket bog known as the Flow Country, which is the largest expanse of blanket bog in Europe. This is divided up along the straths (river valleys) by more fertile farm and croft land.

Amongst salmon and trout fishermen, Caithness is held in very high regard. The River Thurso, which runs for 20 miles from Loch More in the heart of the County to the sea at Thurso, is one of the most prolific salmon rivers in Britain. With a five-year average catch (2010 to 2014) of 1,874 salmon and 12 beats, rods can be rented on either a daily or weekly basis. Flowing southeast for several miles from Loch Watten to the sea, the River Wick is also a well-regarded salmon river with rods available on a daily basis throughout the season.

With several other salmon rivers lying to the south and west of Blingery (including famous rivers such as the Helmsdale, Halladale and Naver), there are seven salmon rivers in total within a drive of about one hour from the estate. Loch Watten has a reputation as one of Scotland’s best wild brown trout fisheries. With an underlying seam of limestone, the loch is famed for producing consistently large trout in the 2lbs to 5lbs range.

With several hundred trout lochs of all shapes and sizes scattered throughout Caithness and Sutherland, there are almost endless opportunities for the keen angler within close range of Blingery.

Sea angling off the Caithness coast is renowned. Bait and lure fishing for cod, coley, ling, wrasse, mackerel and even fly fishing for pollock can make for some fantastic sport. For surfing enthusiasts, the north Caithness coast is well recognised amongst Europe’s premier heavy water destinations. Good solid ground swells and southerly winds combine to create ideal surf conditions which have attracted the attention of some of the world’s top surfers. Known as the ‘North Shore’, the surf can get huge and is relatively consistent. Thurso East Reef is considered to be the jewel in the North Shore’s crown and, when it breaks, the worldfamous reef is one of Europe’s finest waves. Such is the quality of the surfing in Caithness that Thurso East, together with venues in Canada, Tasmania, South Africa and California, is one of the venues for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series attracting competitors on an annual basis from around the world.

Caithness is well known for its royal connection with the Castle of Mey, one of the former homes of the late Queen Mother, now owned by her grandson, Prince Charles. It is situated 20 miles northeast of Blingery. Prince Charles (known in Scotland as the Duke of Rothesay) enjoys an annual holiday at the castle, which is open to visitors, together with its fabulous garden, from May through September.

Golf is a feature of the area with 18-hole links courses locally at Wick and Reay, an 18-hole parkland course at Thurso and a 9-hole course at Lybster, south of Wick. In addition, the internationally regarded Championship Course at Royal Dornoch is 60 miles to the south of Blingery and can be reached in a little over an hour’s drive.

Historical Note Blingery originally formed part of the nearby Stirkoke estate and extended over Blingery Hill, an area now given over to forestry and wind turbines. Stirkoke itself was purchased by the Horne family after they sold the much larger estate of Langwell in the south of the county to the then Duke of Portland. The houses of Stirkoke, Blingery and Thuster, the farm buildings and the many miles of drystone walls all date from this period. General Lord Horne was ennobled for his military service in World War I and in fact died, suddenly, while out shooting at Blingery. There are fine memorials to him in the area. After World War II, the estate was split up. The present owner purchased Blingery in 1991.

Directions

Travel Directions (Postcode: KW1 5SF)

From the South From the city of Inverness take the A9 north over the Kessock Bridge which runs along the east coast passing through Tain, Helmsdale and Golspie. At Latheron the A99 signposted to Wick should be followed for approximately 12 miles at which point, just prior to the hamlet of Thrumster, an unclassified single track road leads off to the left, signposted to ‘Haster’. This road should be followed for approximately 3 miles at which point the signposted entrance into Blingery is seen on the left.

From the North If travelling from the north take the A882 west from Wick until the hamlet of Haster is reached after approximately 2 miles. Take the unclassified road south (left) until the entrance into Blingery is seen on the left after two miles.