Grigadale is a magnificent amenity estate in one of the most peaceful and unexplored parts of Scotland. It extends to approximately 1,863 acres (754 hectares) and comprises a three-bedroom house and agricultural buildings surrounded by in-bye pasture, rough grazings and open hill. In addition, there are opportunities for sporting, development and recreation.

Grigadale begins at the coast and rises to 170m above sea level. There are impressive views across the Atlantic Ocean and the Sea of the Hebrides to the Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Skye in the north, Coll to the west, and Mull to the south.

Along the shoreline there are two sandy beaches and a stony beach, and notably the western-most point of Great Britain’s mainland, Corrachadh Mor.

Looking across the sea, wildlife enthusiasts can observe otters, seals, dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales. On land, red deer are prevalent, but the flora and fauna also attract roe and fallow deer, foxes, pine martens and wild cats. Overhead, the white-tailed eagle, commonly known as the sea eagle, is the rarest of species to grace the skies over the estate. Golden eagles, owls and other raptors are also often seen.

Grigadale House Located a short distance to the north of Loch Grigadale and the public road is Grigadale House, of traditional build and painted white. There is no other house in view. The original croft house was extended in the late-1900s to provide additional accommodation.

The two-storey house is both spacious and comfortable, comprising an entrance hall, kitchen, dining area, lounge, utility room and WC on the ground floor, and three double bedrooms, bathroom and separate shower room on the floor above.

The layout and dimensions of the accommodation are as shown on the floor plans.

The house is in good condition and has been well maintained. It benefits from its south-facing aspect, double-glazing, private water and LPG heating.

Externally, the garden, enclosed by a white stone wall, surrounds the house. To the front it is mainly laid to lawn, with a paved and sheltered area for dining at the back.

The house is used personally by the vendors, and is also let as holiday accommodation during the busier spring to autumn months. Further information can be provided by the selling agents.

Agriculture Extending to approximately 1,863 acres in total, the land at Grigadale includes about 52 acres of in-bye permanent pasture, 147 acres of rough grazings and 1,475 acres of open untouched hill.

The most fertile soils at the core of the estate, surrounding the house, are classified by the James Hutton Institute as grade 5.2, suited best for improved grassland.

A flock of approximately 170 sheep, including rare breeds such as Herdwick, Kerryhill and Gotland, and more common breeds such as Scottish Blackface, North Country Cheviot, Blue Texel and Hebridean, are run on the land by a grazier under an annual grazing agreement. The grazier has farmed periodically at Grigadale for almost 40 years. Further information is available through the selling agents.

There are a small number of farm buildings on the estate used in conjunction with the farming operation. These include a modern, three-bay, steel portal frame shed and a traditional stone-built store, both situated adjacent to the house. In addition there is a further farm building adjacent to Grigadale Loch with a traditional sheep fank behind. It comprises a traditional stone store (understood to be the original croft house), with an adjoining modern blockwork shed used during lambing.

Sporting and Amenity With approximately 80% of the estate comprising hill ground, Grigadale provides a perfect isolated setting for any sporting enthusiast, whilst also offering two lochs and a hill lochan for those that enjoy trout fishing in the Scottish hills.

Red deer are present across the estate, and the recommended annual cull amounts to six stags and 15 hinds. Pre-pandemic, the stalking for red deer had been let for approximately £500 per stag.

The easiest loch to access is Grigadale measuring approximately 22 acres. The loch forms part of the internationally important Ardnamurchan Burns Special Area of Conservation, designated due to the freshwater pearl mussels that the river Allt Grigadale supports. The river was dammed in the 1920s, which made it impossible for salmon and sea trout to reach the upper catchment. More recently, a fish pass has been installed to allow migration with the hope of increasing the number of freshwater pearl mussels.

Loch Caorach is the most productive of the lochs on the estate, measuring approximately 10 acres, and 500 metres in length. More isolated, in the centre of the estate, it has in the past been stocked with trout via helicopter.

In addition, Lochan Druim na Claise provides a further fishing opportunity for the adventurer. Measuring approximately 5 acres, it is only accessible on foot.

With 5.2 miles of coastline on the western boundary, there is a choice of three beaches. Two are white shell-sand bays, one, Port Min, enclosed in a sheltered cove, the other, Briaghlann, overlooking Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. The third is a stony bay to the south, best accessed via boat or on foot from Port Min. Behind Port Min the land rises to the cliffs, providing a splendid view of the Sound of Mull and out towards the Treshnish Isles.

The two curved parallel ridges or cliffs that form Grigadale’s coastline south of Port Min are ring dykes created by one of the eruptions of the Ardnamurchan volcano. Views from there are spectacular. In addition to the islands already mentioned, the southern Outer Hebrides, some 45 miles away, can be seen on clear days.

For those interested in the night sky, there is no light pollution at Grigadale. The aurora borealis (northern lights) can occasionally be seen in the winter months.

From Grigadale House, it is an easy walk to the beautiful Bay McNeil, and the beaches of Portuairk and Sanna are over the hill behind the house.

Potential Development Opportunities Situated throughout the estate, there are a number of sites with derelict buildings with varying degrees of access. Some of these could offer potential for development, subject to the necessary planning consent.

Perhaps the most appealing of the potential sites is within touching distance of the beach by Port Min, where the remnants of what may have been a croft house with an adjoining byre are located. This site could provide an opportunity to develop off-grid accommodation in a fantastic setting overlooking the white sand and clear blue water bay, subject to the necessary planning consents.

The vendors have in the past explored a number of additional sites. On 13 October 2003 planning permission was granted for the erection of a house on a site to the north of the estate (Easting: 142253, Northing: 766808 and Planning Reference no. 02/00259/REMLO.)

Natural Capital With the urgent call for action to restore damaged peatlands and rewild the landscape, Grigadale could offer possibilities to re-wet peatland to sequester carbon. As part of preparing Grigadale Estate for sale we analysed the potential for carbon sequestration through the restoration of peatland.

From our analysis, although the potential to generate peatland carbon is limited, we have identified approximately 89 acres of artificially drained peatland and 12 acres of eroding peat that has the potential over a 100-year period to generate up to 12,700 carbon units under the Peatland Carbon Code. This is based on a desktop analysis and the assumption that 75% of this area is at least one metre deep. A copy of our analysis is available to seriously interested parties.

This property has 1863 acres of land.

Situation

Grigadale is situated on the west of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, ‘the headland of the great seas’. The peninsula is an unspoilt and hidden part of Scotland’s mainland. From the south, it is most easily reached via the Corran Ferry, giving it the sense of being almost an island.

Ardnamurchan (including Grigadale) features the geological formations of an ancient volcano, which erupted over 60 million years ago. It was one of four volcanos on the west coast, the other three being on Rum, Mull and Skye, that shaped the unique landscape and coastline seen today.

Located at the foot of Beinn Bhuidhe, Grigadale Estate provides a stunning setting in one of Scotland’s most sought after areas. The name ‘Grigadale’ is of Norse origin, the legacy of early Viking settlers.

Although the area is remote, the village of Kilchoan, 4.5 miles to the southeast on the Sound of Mull, provides basic services including a shop, post office and petrol station. There is a broader range of services in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull which is easily reached by ferry, a 35-minute trip.

The nearest large town is Fort William which lies at the foot of Ben Nevis. Fort William has a number of major supermarkets and suppliers of goods and services of all types, including a mainline railway station, a destination and departure point of the Caledonian Sleeper from and to London Euston. Car rental is also available in Fort William.

The closest of Scotland’s major cities is Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, which is located approximately 123 miles to the northeast. Inverness has a range of retail, educational, leisure and commerce facilities, together with a mainline railway station and an airport with flights to a wide range of UK destinations.

Directions

Travel Directions: Postcode: PH36 4LN What3words: ///slid.poet.proved

From Glasgow, follow the A82 north to Corran (approximately 101 miles) and take the Corran Ferry. As you disembark the ferry, continue west on the A861, turning left at Salen for Kilchoan on the B8007. Then follow the directions from Salen below.

From Inverness take the A82 west towards Fort William (approximately 66 miles). Having passed Fort William Golf Course, turn right at the roundabout on to the A830 towards Mallaig. At Lochailort turn left on to the A861 to Salen, where you take a right towards Kilchoan on the B8007.

From Salen, continue on the B8007 through Kilchoan to Achosnich. Turn left onto the single track road towards the Point of Ardnamurchan and continue for one mile. You will arrive with Grigadale Loch on your left and the driveway to Grigadale House on your right.