bi5 Summer Issue 2021

SUMMER 2021
INSIGHT
bellingram.co.uk
Forestry
Special
Planting trees to
boost your farm
business P4
Six Of The Best
Bell Ingram unveils
raft of new associate
appointments P13
Meet The Team
Rewarding careers
and latest vacancies
at Bell Ingram P14
Amazing Spaces
Big demand for lifestyle
properties In top rural
and coastal locations P16
summer spring bi2021 bi2019 1

welcome
www.bellingram.co.uk
Your AMC agents for straightforward farm finance.
A name you can trust, covering the whole of Scotland.
Welcome
Bell Ingram should have been welcoming you to
our ringside marquee at the Royal Highland Show
(and a whole host of other rural and agricultural
events) this summer. Once again, however, we are
doing things a bit differently thanks to a certain
global pandemic.
Coronavirus may have pulled the plug on Scotland’s
much-anticipated 2021 show calendar … but
we have been proud and excited to support the RHShowcase2021 event at
Ingliston instead.
Stuart McArtney and Martin Boyle from our Forestry service were fortunate
to be invited along to check out some of the action taking place in the Bell
Ingram sponsored Forestry Arena and they were hugely impressed by the
fun, imaginative and innovative way this virtual event has been uniting and
showcasing the sector until such times as we can all meet up in person.
At the time of writing this article RHShowcase2021 had clocked up hundreds
of thousands of live streams on the Royal Highland Show website which is an
incredible achievement for the organisers and underlines the huge interest in
the sector both home and abroad.
Contents
4 Farming for the future Matthew Imrie
joined the latest Integrating Trees Network
webinar to discuss how forestry is helping his
family to secure their Hillhead Farm for future
generations.
8 Integrating trees on you land That’s
the aim of the new Integrating Trees Network
(ITN) which is building up a strong network
of farm woodland demonstration sites across
Scotland.
10 Why create woodland? From shelter
and shade for livestock to reducing the effects
of climate change we explore the business
opportunities associated with tree planting.
12 Helping It Happen Awards 2021
Managing Partner Mark Mitchell encourages
rural education innovators to share their
success stories.
13 Six of the best Bell Ingram boosts the
team with a raft of new appointments at
associate level.
14 Getting to know Bell Ingram Read
what two members of our Land Management
department - Jamie Cowie and John Kennedy
- have to say about working for Bell Ingram
and their own routes into the sector.
Sarah Tyson
07710 308614
James Petty
07974 934301
Malcolm Taylor
07715 609325
l Stuart McArtney (left) and Martin Boyle are pictured
in the Forestry Arena at RHShowcase 2021
As Chairman of Perthshire Agricultural Society, I’m also pleased to report
that the 159th Perth Show is following a similar format this year. We intend
to create a bit of an atmosphere and excitement by having live stream judging
carried out on show day - Saturday, August 7 - with online viewers able to
witness live appraisal of the entries as they are watched by our expert judges.
The agriculture sector hasn’t stood still during the pandemic. Far from it.
Farmers have been working flat out to keep the country fed and our crops
and livestock tended and cared for.
It’s certainly exciting to watch the sector adapt to new ways of working, living
and learning and while I’m hopeful that that things will return to normal
in 2022, I’m sure these virtual formats have a role to play in future event,
attracting competition from further afield and making them accessible to
wider audiences across the globe.
18 Amazing spaces and extraordinary
places Carl Warden looks at how the
property market is evolving with an
unprecedented demand for lifestyle
properties, farms, forestry, crofts and building
plots.
Editorial contacts for Insight
l
Alison Lowson, Marketing Manager
alison.lowson@bellingram.co.uk
Tel. 01738 621 121 or 07584 093354
l
Design by Stuart Cameron
design100cam@gmail.com
*Insight magazine is prepared for general information
only. While care is taken in its compilation, neither Bell
Ingram LLP nor its employees or officers accept any liability
for the contents or their application to any individual
circumstances. Readers are strongly recommended to
contact Bell Ingram to obtain advice appropriate to their
needs.
2 bi2019 bi2021 winter spring winter bi2019 1
summer winter spring bi2019 bi2021 3
Mark Mitchell
Managing Partner

forestry
forestry
Ayr-based land agent Matthew Imrie joined the latest Integrating
Trees Network webinar to discuss how forestry is helping his family to
secure their Hillhead Farm for future generations . . .
Bell Ingram’s Matthew Imrie
has been discussing the
benefits and challenges of
small scale forestry at a highprofile
webinar organised by
the farmer-led Integrating
Trees Network, run by the Scottish
Government and Scottish Forestry, which
aims to encourage more producers to
plant trees on their agricultural land
Speaking to a group of over 60 farmers,
crofters, estate managers and other
rural professionals, assistant land agent
Matthew talked about his family’s venture
into small scale forestry on their Hillhead
Farm in Torrance just outside Glasgow.
Also adding their insight to the event
were Matthew’s father and mother
John and Antoinette Imrie, brother Ben
and sister Keziah. Ben works with his
father John to look after the farm’s 450
breeding ewes (Scotch Mule, Texel X) and
80 suckler cows (Aberdeen/ Simmental
X), while Keziah has her own enterprise
rearing pigs with a view to establishing
her own farm shop to sell the produce.
The Imries have farmed at Hillhead for
four generations. This family-run business
comprises 400 acres owned, plus 100
acres rented. It has an altitude of 40m
down at Tower Farm, running up to 218m
above sea level at the highest point - the
trig point on Blairskaith Muir where the
new forestry creation scheme will be
planted.
The Imrie family’s woodland journey began
in 2019 when Matthew and his father John
decided to develop a forestry scheme on
an area of unproductive land. Fast forward
to 2021 and they are now at the stage of
fencing, cultivating and planting trees
on just over 27 ha. creating a number of
benefits for the farm not least as an asset
for the future.
M
atthew Imrie said: “As a farming
family we are always looking for
ways to diversify and secure the
business for future generations. We did
look into renewables, but wind turbines
weren’t suitable because we are on
the Glasgow Airport flightpath, and we
couldn’t sacrifice enough land for solar
panels. Trees just worked for us!
“Being so closely involved in the project
meant that we were able to design the
forest in such a way as to fit all of the
family’s objectives. We didn’t want to plant
the Blairskaith Muir site in blanket Sitka as
it would have taken away from its natural
beauty and the habitats that rely so much
on it. Instead we wanted to plant a mix of
both productive conifers and mixed native
broadleaves around the most sensitive
areas in order to produce a much more
sustainable product.
“Blairskaith Muir is a particularly sensitive
site and as such required various surveys to
be undertaken (archaeological, breeding
bird, habitat and deep peat) in order
to support the application. Although
the results of these surveys had a huge
influence on how much, what and where
we could plant - with a lot of areas marked
continued on page 6
Farming
for the future
l Brothers Matthew (centre) and Ben with
father John pictured earlier this year looking
over the land on Blairskaith Muir earmarked
for the new woodland scheme. The project
has reached the planting stage with 50,000
saplings in the ground.
4 4 bi2021 summer spring
summer winter spring bi2019 bi2021 5

forestry
Farming for the future
as unplantable - what the surveys did
ensure is that what we did plant was
entirely sustainable. We did not disrupt
any important habitats or the public’s
access, but rather we enhanced both,
while adding much needed capital to the
business.”
Forestry is of course a long-term
investment. While the initial grant and the
five-year maintenance payments do cover
the initial start-up costs - with a substantial
surplus after the five years - the true
potential will not be realised until 30-40
years down the line.
Matthew continued: “With six children
in our family, succession planning was a
key factor when deciding how to diversify.
The tax benefits, as well as the harvestable
crop at the end of the cycle, will ensure
that the family are looked after while the
farm remains in one piece. Once the crop
is harvested, the site will be replanted to
benefit many future generations of the
family.”
John Imrie said: “I’ve been working at
Hillhead since I left school and my main
aim was always to secure the farm which
we did in 2015. Since we stopped retailing
milk, we have been looking for an extra
income to bring in more capital and
Matthew’s suggestion of forestry ticked this
box. The area where we are planting trees
is poor land that we have been struggling
to graze and make productive for about 20
years. It’s taken about two years to get to
where we are at the moment, but we are
going to be putting trees in the soil this
l Community
engagement is a
big part of the ethos
at Hillhead Farm
and Matthew and
his brother Ben
recently invited a
group of children
from nearby
Baldernock Primary
to help with the tree
planting.
week. It’s a work in progress but seeing the
trees arrive in their thousands has been
very exciting.”
A
ntoinette Imrie continued: “Hillhead
is very much a family run farm, with
our children closely involved, and
we want to secure it for future generations.
The farm isn’t just a home, but a lifestyle,
and John and I would like to think that
the children will always have a part in it by
developing their own enterprises.
“We decided to go down the forestry
route because we saw the opportunity
to invest in some of our land to boost
our income as well as create a nest egg
for the family in the future. We liked the
idea of doing something environmentally
friendly, something that supported the eco
system, reduced our carbon footprint and
added something to the already beautiful
landscape we live in. We are very excited
about this project and are looking forward
to seeing it all come together and all the
trees maturing.”
Quizzed on the most challenging
aspects of the project to date, Matthew
concluded: “One of the big challenges is
making the project work financially and
ensuring that your spending keeps up
with the timing of the capital payments.
It’s worth remembering that while grants
are available, they will only cover the cost
of establishing the forestry and a little bit
more besides.
“Juggling the requirements of all the
stakeholders is another big part of the
process and it’s vital that you anticipate
any potential stumbling blocks and
communicate your plans quickly and
concisely. It’s important to keep your
plan agile and address what’s actually on
the ground as the results of surveys will
inevitably dictate what you can and can’t
achieve.” n
More information:
For further information on the new
Small Woodlands Loan Scheme
(SWLS) go to: https://forestry.gov.scot/
support-regulations/forestry-grants/
small-woodland-loan-scheme
Scottish Forestry has a network of
woodland officers around the country
in local offices. Please get in contact
at an early stage to discuss your
woodland creation proposals:
https://forestry.gov.scot/about/localoffices
Bell Ingram offers a full range of forest
and woodland management services.
Please contact our forestry team to
discuss your requirments.
Stuart McArtney on 01738 621 121 or
stuart.mcartney@bellingram.co.uk
or Jim Adam 01224 621300
jim.adam@bellingram.co.uk
Derek’s plough
events raise
thousands
for Children’s
Heart Surgery
Fund and Air
Ambulance
Partner Derek Tyson has helped
raise another £1,270 for the
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund
at Leeds by organising a socially
distanced charity ploughing
match in Thirsk recently.
A great effort from vintage
tractor and ploughing enthusiast
Derek who raised £1,235 for this
worthy charity earlier this year at
a similar event.
Last year Derek raised over £900
for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance
last year by organising a
ploughing event in Thirsk on land
owned by Tim Robson.
Lin Stead, North Yorkshire
Regional Fundraiser for the
Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said:
”Thank you to everyone involved
with the organisation and
running of the event, from the
entries arriving to cleaning the
road at the end of the day.
Fundraising events have been
few and far because of Covid and
every penny counts in keeping
our helicopters flying and
ensuring the YAA is there for the
people who need our help.”
To see Derek in action check out
this video which appeared on the
Yorkshire Post’s YouTube channel
https://bit.ly/3gqRbye n
in brief
Perth Show
builds on
success of last
year’s virtual
extravaganza
A virtual feast of farming and
fun is on the cards as Perth
Show goes online for the
second year running, promised
Bell Ingram’s Managing Partner
Mark Mitchell.
Wearing his “other hat” as
Chairman of Perthshire
Agricultural Society, Mark said
it was “hugely disappointing”
to announce the cancellation
of the 2021 Perth Show,
but stressed they were now
focussed on building on the
success of last year’s virtual
event.
Tom Rust celebrates
career milestone with
RICS exam success
Livestock judging and
agricultural showcasing will
take place in an online Perth
Show on Saturday, August 7.
And organisers are urging the
agricultural community to get
behind plans to bring a taste
of the country into people’s
homes via the virtual platforms.
Mark continued: “Given the
amount of hard work, planning
and commitment that goes
into organising the two-day
event in Perth, cancelling the
2021 show is the last thing we
wanted to do. But, in light of
the government guidance, we
believe this to be the correct
course of action as the safety
of all involved is our utmost
priority.”
Last year’s virtual Perth Show
attracted over 240 entries in
general sections and Mark is
hopeful that support will allow
individual classes to be staged
and judged this year - just like
the real thing.
“The idea will be to create
a showcase livestock event
as close to the real thing as
possible,” added Mark. “Farmers
enjoy competing and are proud
of their show-ready animals
so we want to give them a
platform to display them to
others - albeit virtually.
“We’re also keen to see what
Perth-based land agent Tom Rust has
graduated to the next stage of his career with
Bell Ingram.
Tom, who joined our Land Management team
in 2018, has passed his assessment to become
a Chartered Surveyor and member of the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
He is formally elected to the class of MRICS and
will be able to use the professional designation
MRICS, an internationally recognised and
respected mark of excellence and integrity.
Tom previously graduated with an Honours
Degree in Rural Business Management at SRUC
and is currently involved in a variety of work
including rural estate and farm management,
rural valuations and lettings.
Tom said: “I am delighted to have passed
the RICS APC assessment to become a
professionally qualified Chartered Rural
Surveyor.
the youngsters have been up
to during lockdown so will host
Young Handler classes to get
them involved as well.
“The agriculture sector
hasn’t stood still during the
pandemic,” said Mark. “Far from
it. Farmers have been working
flat out to keep the country fed
and our crops and livestock
tended and cared for.
“It’s been a busy and
challenging time for everyone
and we just want to put a bit of
fun and competitive edge back
into things with our virtual Perth
Show.”
While plans are still at an early
stage, organisers hope to
involve as many of the Perth
Show staples as possible in the
virtual line up, including foodies’
favourite Perthshire On A Plate
and trade stand exhibitors. n
“The help and support I have received from
colleagues at Bell Ingram has been key to
helping me achieve this important professional
qualification and I would like to thank the
company’s head of valuations Sarah Tyson
and APC training co-ordinator Rhona Booth
especially for their advice and steady guidance.
“I am looking forward to further developing my
professional experience and building my career
with Bell Ingram.”
Head of Land
Management
Malcolm Taylor
said: “Tom started
his career with
us and it’s been
a privilege to
watch him work
his way up the
professional
ladder. Now he
has completed
his qualification,
I know that he
will start to forge
out a professional
path for himself.”
6 bi2021 summer spring summer spring bi2021 7
news

forestry
forestry
Integrating
trees
on your land
If you are a farmer, crofter, land
manager and want to find out more
about tree planting, then you can’t
beat seeing and hearing from those
doing it practically on the ground.
That’s the aim of the new
Integrating Trees Network (ITN) which
is building up a strong network of farm
woodland demonstration sites across
Scotland.
The initiative is being led by farmers and
supported by Scottish Forestry and the
Scottish Government.
It’s all about encouraging more trees to be
planted on Scottish land, in the right place,
for the right reason and to give guidance
on how this can be practically achieved.
At the moment there are two sites in
the demo network, Andrew Adamson of
Messrs W Laird & Son, Netherurd Home
Farm, Peeblesshire and the Imrie Family of
Hillhead Farm, Torrance, Lanarkshire. Both
are run by family farming
businesses.
Joining the growing network will be
Andrew and Debbie Duffus, Mains of
Auchriachan, Tomintoul. All host farms will
be involved in two new online events in
June. More farming hosts are due to be
announced in the coming months.
Scottish Forestry’s forestry and farming
development officer Lyn White said:
“It’s great that this network of
demonstration sites is building up. We
have had a great response to a call for host
farmers, crofters, estates land managers
from across Scotland to join our network.
“Our current fantastic farming hosts
are willing to share their practical
experiences, discuss their objectives,
challenges and benefits of their tree
planting projects.
“The network of demonstrator sites will
be spread across Scotland. The aim is to
have a site in each geographical region
linked to a Scottish Forestry offices.”
Lyn added: “Everyone is welcome to book
onto these free virtual online events. As
this is a farmer led network, we want hear
from land mangers about what topics
they want to discuss so we can bring in
expert speakers to present alongside our
farmer hosts.
“The next online event introduces our
third hosts Andrew and Debbie Duffus,
Mains of Auchriachan, Tomintoul.”
Integrating Trees on Your Land Event: Wednesday, 23rd June 7-8pm
Andrew and Debbie Duffus will talk
about their family’s new venture into
woodland creation on their tenanted
hill farm Mains of Auchriachan,
Tomintoul. We’ll discuss the initial
thought process, the decision to
plant trees, objectives, challenges and
benefits etc. Also how future plans
for woodlands creation/shelter belts
are evolving alongside their livestock
enterprises. A speaker from Scottish
Forestry will also join the event to
discuss funding and first steps to
woodland creation. As this will be a
farmer-led network please come along
and bring your questions and ideas to
help the organisers guide future event
topics.
Book your free place here https://www.
eventbrite.com/o/integrating-treesnetwork-32362737411
The following week ITN catches up
with Andrew Adamson, Netherurd
Home Farm and the Imrie family
for Integrating Trees on Your Land:
Question Time on Wednesday, 30th
June, 7-8pm.
Do you have practical questions
about integrating trees on your land,
whether on species/site choice,
protection, design, cultivation, or
maintenance tasks etc? Come along
and put your woodland creation
questions to our host farmers, all of
whom have integrated trees into their
farming businesses. Our panel will
include Andrew Adamson of Messrs
W Laird & Son, Netherurd Home
Farm, Peeblesshire and members of
the Imrie Family of Hillhead Farm,
Torrance, Lanarkshire, along with staff
members from Scottish Forestry. Book
your free place here https://www.
eventbrite.com/o/integrating-treesnetwork-32362737411
To help organisers answer as many
questions as possible, please send your
questions in advance to Lyn.White@
forestry.gov.scot. You can also ask
questions on the night. n
8 bi2021 summer spring summer winter spring bi2019 bi2021 13
9

forestry
forestry
Woodland creationa
business opportunity
In these ever-changing
times it’s natural to keep
the head down and
keep going. But what
opportunities are out
there for your business?
What possibilities should
you be considering to
be meet your long-term
objectives?
How about planting some trees?
Trees offer multiple benefits and you can
receive funding through the Forestry
Grant Scheme (FGS), when creating new
woodlands. See more at https://forestry.
gov.scot/support-regulations/forestrygrants
Shelter and shade for livestock:
Woodland, shelter belts and hedgerow
trees can all provide important shelter for
livestock, which helps increase productivity
and reduces costs.
Windbreaks to protect crops:
Trees used for windbreaks can help prevent
damage to crops and reduce soil erosion.
This can keep your soil, your most valuable
asset, in the field.
Landscape and biodiversity
improvements:
Planting on less productive land can
improve the landscape and its biodiversity.
Woodlands host a large number of insects,
helping pollination of nearby crops.
Using new woodland to renew or
redefine boundaries:
The current FGS helps with costs associated
with fencing new woodlands. New
woodland can provide a real opportunity
for the business to redefine or renew
boundaries which can help in the on-going
management of stock.
Providing saleable timber or
wood fuel for a financial return:
If location and scale are well considered,
trees can provide an alternative crop and
income stream for the farm business. Fast
growing species can produce saleable
timber in around 20 years through
thinning, which also helps manage
the woodland for future quality timber
production.
Adapting to climate change and
reducing its effects:
Planting trees absorbs and locks up
carbon, helping to reduce your net carbon
emissions. If you require extra income to
make woodland creation viable, and are
eligible, consider the Woodland Carbon
Code.
Amenity/sporting opportunities:
Woodlands can provide good opportunities
to introduce game shooting on farms.
Woodlands provide shelter and a good food
source for game.
Improvement of water courses:
Trees can protect against soil erosion. They
help prevent runoff of manure and fertiliser
entering water courses.
l There are various grant options to help
you get planting including support for
conifers, broadleaves and small farm
woodlands. Find out about the “Sheep
and Trees” grants package which allows
you to apply for woodland creation and
infrastructure grants at the same time.
This means you can plant woodlands and
benefit from building an access road to
aid management of your new woodland.
Grants can cover up to 90% of costs
including planning, planting, maintenance
and tree protection. Land planted under
the forestry grants scheme remains
eligible for the BPS.
If you would like to know more, the Scottish
Forestry website contains practical
information and contact details: forestry.
gov.scot/support-regulations/woodlandcreation
How about getting a specialist adviser to
help with your woodland creation.
If you are a farmer or crofter you can also
apply for up to £1,000 funding through
the Farm Advisory Service to enlist this
help. The adviser will work with you to
add value to underproductive land by
reviewing farm-specific opportunities and
financial incentives available to create or
manage woodland. To apply or for more
information, call 0300 323 0161 or
email advice@fas.scot
l Tree planning
offers multiple
benefits to farmers.
Credit: Jayne
Adamson.
10 2 bi2019 bi2021 winter summer spring summer spring bi2021 11

events
design
careers
Rural
education
innovators
urged
to enter
Helping It
Happen
Awards
Bell Ingram’s Managing
Partner Mark Mitchell
is encouraging rural
businesses across Scotland
to follow in the footsteps of last
year’s winner Duffus Estate and
enter the Education category
at this year’s Helping It Happen
Awards.
The annual awards, which are
organised by rural business
organisation Scottish Land &
Estates, are free to enter and will
showcase the work done in 2020/21
by businesses, farms and estates to
help rural Scotland thrive during a
difficult year.
Bell Ingram is once again teed up
to sponsor the Education category,
won in 2020 by family-run Duffus
Estate. Judges were impressed
by the Earthtime’s Forest School
Nursery at Duffus which aims
to have the children outside for
at least 80% of the time. The
youngsters grow vegetables
which they then harvest and eat
in their own meals at lunchtime.
Earthtime was also chosen to
be an educational hub during
lockdown and provided 18 weeks
of emergency childcare provision
for 36 children of key workers or
vulnerable families.
Mark Mitchell said: “Together
Bell Ingram and Scottish Land
and Estates want to recognise
champions of rural education,
so that future generations grow
up knowing more about farming
and the countryside and what
it delivers as well as nurturing a
lifelong interest in the natural
world.
“Duffus Estate was a very worthy
winner last year and I know that
the judges are looking forward to
seeing an equally high standard
of entries this year as we celebrate
the very best initiatives across the
sector, whether on-farm, in the
classroom, or even online.”
The Helping it Happen Awards
will once again be sponsored
by GLM and this year there is a
new ‘Business Resilience Award’
category which is open to those
who have, despite the pandemic,
seen their business flourish by
adapting, being innovative and
working hard.
Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive
at Scottish Land & Estates said:
“This year has been difficult for us
all. Our world leading tourism and
hospitality sector has lay dormant.
Across the rural sector businesses,
land managers and community
groups have done everything in
their power to keep their staff in
jobs and their work going in trying
times.
“That is why this year we think it
is more important than ever to
celebrate the talent, innovation,
and passion of rural Scotland. To
recognise the efforts made in the
most difficult of circumstances by
our members and others to protect
communities, jobs and nature in
rural Scotland, through the Helping
it Happen awards.
“There is no shortage of
achievements to celebrate from
Scotland’s rural businesses. We urge
people from Shetland to the Borders
to submit their entries for this year’s
awards. You can nominate yourself
or others.
“The quality of entries we receive
to the Helping it Happen Awards
is always exceptional, and we are
excited to see this year’s crop of
nominations.” n
The 2021 Helping
it Happen Awards
categories are:
● Education Award sponsored by
Bell Ingram
● Business Resilience Award
● Conservation Award sponsored
by Anderson Strathearn
● Enhancing our Environment
through Land Management
Award sponsored by
NatureScot
● Innovation in Farming Award
sponsored by Douglas Home
& Co
● Iver Salvesen Award for
Combatting Climate Change
● Rural Business Award
sponsored by Shepherd and
Wedderburn LLP
● Rural Housing Award
sponsored by VELUX
● Tourism & Visitor Management
Award sponsored by GLM
● Working with Communities
Award sponsored by The
MacRobert Trust
The awards close to entries on 4th August and winners will be announced
at a live virtual ceremony on 27th October 2021. To view last year’s winning
entries or make a nomination please visit www.scottishlandandestates.
co.uk/helping-it-happen
Bell Ingram is delighted to
announce the promotion of
three Senior Associates and
the appointment of three new
Associates.
Rhona Booth (Perth), Andrew
Fuller (Oban) and Charlotte
Gilfillan (Highland) are
promoted to Senior Associate,
while Jamie Cowie (Highland),
Alison Lowson (Perth) and
Alastair Skinner (Perth) are
appointed to Associate.
Mark Michell, Managing
Partner of Bell Ingram,
said: “At Bell Ingram, we
firmly believe in actively
promoting from within to
encourage our employees to
advance professionally. These
promotions demonstrate our
continuing commitment to
grow and expand our business
and to reward talented, hardworking
professional
people.”
Chartered surveyor and RICS
Registered Valuer, Rhona
Booth joined the Perth office
in March 2020 and since then
has brought in new clients and
taken on the lead role on a
major management contract.
Rhona has also assumed
the role of APC training coordinator.
Andrew Fuller joined
Bell Ingram in 2018 after 14
years managing high-level
development projects in the
U.A.E. Under his guidance
Bell Ingram’s Estate Agency
business is becoming the goto
Agent for rural and higher
value properties in Argyll and
Bute.
Charlotte Gillfillan joined
Bell Ingram in 2009, moving
from Forfar to Beauly in
2019 where she has been
a driving force in helping
to develop the Bell Ingram
Bell Ingram
boosts team with six
new associate appointments
brand in the Highlands. A
qualified chartered surveyor
and RICS Registered Valuer,
she specialises in Rural Estate
Management.
Dual qualified Jamie Cowie
joined Bell Ingram in 2003
as a forest manager before
going on to become a MRICS
qualified chartered surveyor.
Working out of the Highland
office he undertakes the
full range of professional
work - forestry management,
valuation, boundary disputes,
crofting work and his skills are
specifically sought after by
larger utilities clients.
Alastair Skinner joined Bell
Ingram in April 2011 as an IT
assistant before taking over
the role of IT Manager in 2019.
He has been instrumental
in developing our agile IT
infrastructure which has
enabled staff to work from
remote locations to provide an
ongoing service to our clients
across all areas of our business
during the pandemic.
Marketing Manager Alison
Lowson supports the business
with day-to-day marketing
and communications with an
emphasis on digital marketing,
content writing and social
media. Alison previously
worked as a newspaper editor
before joining Bell Ingram in
2019 after an 18-month stint
with a marketing agency. n
Bell Ingram is currently
recruiting for a number of
positions, including qualified
chartered surveyors and a head
of forestry. If you would like to
join our workforce, please feel
free to drop your CV for our
consideration. Full details at
www.bellingram.co.uk
12 bi2021 summer spring summer spring winter bi2021 bi2019 13
3
Rhona Booth
Charlotte
Gillfillan
Alastair Skinner
Andrew Fuller
Jamie Cowie
Alison Lowson

People You Want To Do
Business With
Discover what it’s like to work at Bell Ingram
Discover what it’s
like to work at Bell
Ingram
At Bell Ingram, our
people are at the
heart of the business delivering
consistently high standards of
professional service across all
departments.
Our rural land and business
specialists have expertise
spanning land management,
forestry, GIS mapping, estate
agency and architecture,
and pride themselves on a
highly personal approach,
outstanding service and
attention to detail.
The high levels of staff retention
also mean that our clients
can always be sure of dealing
with highly qualified and
experienced people.
Malcolm Taylor, Head of
Land Management, said: “At
Bell Ingram our priority is to
attract and retain the best
and brightest talent for our 10
offices across Scotland and the
North of England, and develop
their professional careers.
“Our Land Management
department has expanded in
recent years which I believe
is down to the outstanding
personal service we provide
to our clients. Despite the
challenges of the pandemic,
there remains significant
opportunities for estates and
farms. We are investing in the
future by further expanding
our team and are currently
recruiting qualified chartered
surveyors and wayleave officers
for a number of positions.”
If you are looking for a new
challenge, there is a rewarding
career waiting for you at Bell
Ingram.
Don’t just take our word for
it, read what two members
of our Land Management
department - Jamie Cowie and
John Kennedy - have to say
about working for Bell Ingram
and their own routes into the
rural sector, and find out more
about the opportunities we
have to join our team – www.
bellingram.co.uk
Jamie Cowie,
Rural Chartered
Surveyor and
Forest Manager
(Highland)
I can’t recall a
single eureka moment that led
me into working in the rural
scene. I grew up in Buckie,
a fishing village, and had no
immediate family in the rural
industries. We never holidayed
abroad, with trips being tentbased
excursions scattered
across the country.
Living in such an incredible
and diverse country meant my
interest grew, predominantly
in the physical geography and
nature, with land use, history
and people following on later.
In my teens, I started to
become more active in the
outdoors through hillwalking
and mountain biking. Moray
has a particularly high
percentage of forest cover for
the UK, and my attention soon
turned to trees. The idea of
having a career based indoors
and with no travel did not fill
me with any enthusiasm.
So off I went and spent five
years (including two student
placements with Forestry Land
Scotland (FLS) studying Forestry
at Inverness. About the time
of our final exams, Bell Ingram
was advertising for the position
of forest manager in Aberdeen.
I got the job and started in the
summer of 2003.
After a few interesting years,
I was offered the opportunity
to branch out into the slightly
different world of rural
surveying. Initially this was
predominantly based on a
Scottish Water project, but
eventually I ended up dabbling
in a range of other utility
projects. The opportunity to
diversify again presented itself,
so after a couple years of post
graduate distance learning I
became MRICS qualified in
2014.
Since then I have continued to
be involved in a variety of utility
projects, forestry management,
farm sales and valuations
ranging from Grangemouth
in the south, Peterhead in the
east, Aviemore in the middle,
Kyle of Lochalsh in the west
and Unst in the north.
My love of Scotland has only
grown, and I am fortunate to
be in a line of work that lets
me see and be a part of so
much of it. At Bell Ingram, you
are part of one of UK’s largest
independent firms of chartered
surveyors with an excellent
reputation and I get to work
with and meet an equally
interesting range of people.
John Kennedy,
Assistant Land
Agent (Forfar)
I am from the
Island of Coll in
the Inner Hebrides
where my family has a farm.
My Dad’s always talking about
retirement, but he’s been
talking about it since he was 50
and now that he’s 61 he’s busier
than ever. We’ve got about
500 sheep and 60 cattle at the
moment and also diversified
into a bit of house building and
contracting. You’ve got to be
resourceful when you live on a
small island!
Since I wasn’t going into the
family business straight away,
I was looking for a role that
would open doors for me
in terms of my professional
development, and I wanted to
work for a firm that really values
its staff. With my background
on the farm I also wanted a
career within a rural business
that offered the opportunity
to get outside and work with
others in the rural and agri
sector.
I joined Bell Ingram’s Forfar
office in February having
completed my BSc (Hons)
Agriculture at SRUC Edinburgh
and a Masters in Land Economy
at Aberdeen University.
Since then I’ve been assisting
Partner and Head of Land
Management Malcolm Taylor
and have involved in rural
estate and farm management,
valuations, property sales and
letting, and compensation
claims. This experience is
invaluable as I work towards my
APC and full membership of
RICS and
CAAV.
The best thing about being
a Land Agent is the balance
between being in the office
and on the ground, in fact
there’s rarely a week when I’m
sitting at the desk from 9-5.
No two days are ever the same,
and it’s extremely satisfying to
build up good relationships
with your clients and do the
best work for them.
There are many reasons to join
Bell Ingram but for someone
at my stage in the profession
I’d single out the excellent
training. The company offers
a programme of support to
enable APC trainees to progress
in the profession and reach
their full potential. Being a
larger firm, we can also access
regular in-house webinars
and talks from colleagues and
industry professionals. n
14 bi2021 spring spring bi2021 15

agency
agency
Amazing
Bell Ingram has always sold
amazing spaces in some
extraordinary places. But as
we ease out of lockdown,
our agents are seeing an
spaces-
unprecedented demand
for lifestyle properties,
farms, forestry, crofts and
building plots.
In particular small “lifestyle” farm properties
offering diversification opportunities have
leapt in value as demand grew during a year
extraordinary
of lockdowns, with an increasing number
of buyers looking for land that can be used
for equestrian, tourism, small holding or
residential development.
Carl Warden, who heads our Estate Agency
places
division, says: “During lockdown house
hunting became a national pastime with
people re-evaluating the way they use
their homes. Work areas and good outdoor
spaces are must-haves for many people
these days, and we are also seeing an
increasing demand for properties that have
the potential to generate an additional
income.
“There’s no doubt that the gradual return of
confidence to the property market has led
to high demand for these lifestyle properties
and this trend has been particularly marked
in the Highlands and on the West Coast.
OFFERS
OVER
£1,045,000
The Stunning Lifestyle Opportunity
The Cuilcheanna
portfolio offers buyers
the opportunity to
acquire a wonderful
five-bedroom family
home and four wellestablished
holiday
cottages.
“Good quality houses in these areas tend
to sell extremely quickly with interest
from buyers across the UK and even
internationally. In the face of the pandemic,
people are definitely seeking the comfort of
a rural bolthole.
“With such buoyancy, prices are often
Andrew Fuller, from Bell
Ingram’s Oban office,
says: “Cuilcheanna and
Cuilcheanna Cottages
is wonderful lifestyle
opportunity for those
looking to acquire
an established selfcatering
business,
with various options to
operate the business
remotely or to take
advantage of the
wonderful surroundings
and stay in one of the
properties.”
achieving a significant sum above the asking
price, and I’m delighted to report that signs
are very encouraging for the rest of 2021.”
Currently on the market through
Bell Ingram’s Oban, Perth and
Highland offices are the following:
Situated in a
prominent coastal
position within the
idyllic Highland
village of Onich at the
head of Loch Linnhe,
Cuilcheanna is set in
about 0.20 acres of
land. Onich benefits
from a cafe, hotel,
pub and restaurants.
A local primary school
is nearby with the
secondary schools in
Fort William, Strontian
and Kinlochleven.
The Corran Ferry
provides convenient
access to the
Ardnamurchan
peninsula and from the
nearby coastal town
of Oban, there are
frequent sailings to the
ever-famous Hebridean
islands of Mull and Iona
as well as Colonsay,
Islay and Barra.
Fort William located
10 miles away, which
is referred to as the
Outdoor Capital of the
UK, is most famous
for being the gateway
to Ben Nevis and the
ski runs of the Nevis
Range.
Cuilcheanna is on
the market at offers
over £1,045,000. For
more information or
to arrange a viewing
contact Andrew Fuller
on 01631 567 791 or
email andrew.fuller@
bellingam.co.uk
The Diversified Farming Business
Davochfin Farm is a
unique farming business set
in a stunning location near
to the popular seaside town
of Dornoch in Sutherland
and just off the main A9
road and North Coast 500.
The property extends to
about 62.89 ha (155.38
acres) with a farmhouse and
a range of farm buildings,
four commercial trout lochs,
a caravan site and a golf
driving range.
Joanne Stennett from Bell
Ingram’s Beauly office, who
is handling the sale, said:
“This is a desirable and
unique package that offers
the perfect lifestyle for these
times.
“Davochfin Farm provides
an excellent opportunity to
purchase a compact and
manageable farm business
which benefits from a
diversified income stream
with the opportunity for
the purchaser to carry out
further developments.
“In its idyllic position it
takes full advantage of
The Gorgeous Garden and
Home Office
Foxley House in Beauly is a beautifully presented five
bedroom detached property boasting a substantial home
office, set in an enviable location enjoying far-reaching
views to the Beauly Firth and the Kessock Bridge.
The stunning garden covers a large ground area (1.4 acres)
with sweeping lawns and well established planting. There
is a patio area outside the conservatory and the steps lead
up to an outdoor gazebo which matches the house with
a slate roof and tiled floor. It even boasts a wood-burning
stove to enable year-round use.
A paved path leads down through the garden to two
storage sheds and a wood store and there is an area of
natural woodland to the bottom of the garden which is a
haven for wildlife.
The property is in a quiet rural location close to the popular
villages of Beauly and Muir of Ord. Both offer a wide
range of amenities
and each has good
primary schools
leading onto excellent
further education with
the University of the
Highlands and Islands.
The City of Inverness
is about 14 miles away
and is the commercial
and business centre
for the Highlands of Scotland. Inverness Airport has daily
domestic and international flights along with excellent
public transport links and national rail connections.
Foxley House is on the market at offers over £575,000. For
more information or to arrange a viewing contact Joanne
Stennett on 01463 717799 or email joanne.stennett@
bellingram.co.uk
16 bi2021 spring summer
spring winter bi2021 bi2019 17 3
OFFERS
OVER
£850,000
the beautiful views to the
Dornoch Firth, this is a
property that we expect to
attract significant interest.”
The property offers a lovely
south-facing farmhouse
alongside a range of farm
buildings. The land, which
has been farmed by a
contractor for a number of
years, has good productive
capacity and has in recent
years grown a rotation of
barley and oats along with
temporary grass.
Davochfin is on the market
at offers over £850,000. For
more information or to arrange
a viewing contact Joanne
Stennett on
01463 717799 or email joanne.
stennett@bellingram.co.uk
OFFERS
OVER
£575,000

agency
agency
OFFERS
OVER
£120,000
The House Building Plot
Site 1 at Lower Achachenna offers buyers an opportunity
to acquire a prime development plot with outline planning
permission for a single residential dwelling.
The plot enjoys a wonderful countryside setting, not far from the
banks of Loch Awe, and is within easy walking distance from the
waters’ edge.
The site is accessed from the road by a newly constructed shared
private track which gives access to the land which extends to
about 0.06 ha, (0.15 acres). The surrounding land falls under the
same ownership and we are informed that additional land may
be available by separate negotiation.
OFFERS
OVER
£160,000
The Intriguing
Development
Opportunity
A former Ranger’s hut and a
large steading complex offers
an intriguing development
opportunity in south west
Scotland near Dumfries.
Located on the edge of
Mabie Forest and adjacent
to Mabie House Hotel, Mabie
Steadings has a number of
potential opportunities for redevelopment,
refurbishment
or diversification.
Mains services are close by for connection and it is envisaged that
a private septic tank will be installed as part of the construction
program.
The plot has planning permission under planning reference
20/00994/PPP and it is expected that interest levels will be high,
and early viewing is recommended.
The land is located on the fringe of the popular village of
Kilchrenan. The village supports several prestigious hotels, a church,
village hall, a recently refurbished local inn and well-respected
primary school. Secondary education is undertaken at Oban.
Site 1 at Lower Achachenna is on the market at a guide price of
£120,000. For more information or to arrange a viewing contact
Andrew Fuller on 01631 567 791 or email andrew.fuller@
bellingam.co.uk
Mabie Steadings dates
from about1800, and is a
category B listed building. The
steadings comprise four stone
built ranges built around
a quadrangular courtyard,
most of which is single storey.
The north frontage is seen
from the main approach
up the driveway to Mabie
House Hotel and comprises a
symmetrical 7 bay crenelated
2 storey central tower. The
south range also has a central
tower, with a pyramidal roof,
topped with a ball finial. The
east and west ranges are low
single storey. The courtyard
entrance is on the east.
The Ranger Hut at Mabie is
a relatively modern office
building built during the
1970s and is a timber framed
and clad construction under
a felt roof. The hut comprises
a front office; large storage/
drying room; back office; two
WC’s; small drying room and
a large meeting room. The
hut sits on a plot extending to
about 0.1 ha (0.25 acres).
Mabie Steading and Ranger
Hut is on the market at offers
over £160,000. For more
information or to arrange a
viewing contact Lauren Howie
on 01292 886 544 or email
lauren.howie@bellingram.
co.uk
The Picturesque Coastal Croft
Croft 1 at Lettershuna is a
rare opportunity to acquire a
picturesque coastal croft on
the fringe of the ever-popular
village of Appin, with stunning
views of the iconic Castle
Stalker.
The croft extends to about
1.66 ha (4.10 acres) benefitting
from planning permission in
principle for the development
of a single 1½ story detached
residential dwelling. Further
details of the planning
18 4 bi2019 bi2021 winter summer spring summer spring bi2021 19
OFFERS OFFERS
OVER OVER
£150,000 £150,000
The Productive
Commercial Forest
Wester Dunsyston Forest, Chapelhall near
Airdrie is a well-located productive commercial
conifer forest with timber production, native
woodland, sporting, and amenity potential.
permission, along with
supporting information and a
comprehensive water report
are available from the sole
selling agent, Bell Ingram.
The woodland was primarily established in 1996
with Sitka spruce and other areas of mixed
conifers and broadleaves prior to this date. A first
thinning programme in the spruce stands was
carried out
about five years
ago and would
be suitable
for a second
thinning.
Substantial
loading and
turning facilities
were installed
prior to the
thinning progamme commencing, which is
more than adequate for future thinning and
felling operations. The pine and larch stands are
currently in good health with adequate growth
rates. On the southern perimeter lies a very
attractive mature mixed broadleaf woodland
which is bisected by the Shotts Burn.
Appin has a thriving
community, with amenities
such as post office, general
store and restaurant. A primary
school provides education for
younger children, whilst a high
school can be found in the
seaside town of Oban, around
25 minutes by car. Local buses
also serve Appin directly from
Oban.
One of Scotland’s most
romantic castles, the muchphotographed
Castle Stalker,
occupies a tiny rock island just
north of the croft. A great way to
explore the area is cycling and
bikes can be hired in the local
area. A small passenger ferry
runs from Port Appin to the
neighbouring island of Lismore.
Other outdoor pursuit on
offer include boat hire, sailing,
windsurfing and water-skiing.
Croft 1 at Lettershuna is on the
market at offers over £150,000.
For more information or to
arrange a viewing contact
Andrew Fuller on
01631 567 791 or email
andrew.fuller@bellingam.co.uk
The property is generally enclosed within
stock fences and stone dykes. March fencing is
maintained on a mutual basis with neighbouring
owners, except along the public road where the
responsibility lies with the woodland owner.
The sporting rights are included and are currently
un-let. With a good network of rides and open
spaces there is a potential for good woodland
deer stalking of roe from high set and on foot.
Wester Dunsyston Forest is on the market at a
guide price of £365,000. For more information
or to arrange a viewing contact Moira Webley
on 01738 621 121 or email moira.webley@
bellingram.co.uk
Coming
Soon!
Calgary
Bay
Isle of Mull
Planning
a move to
Scotland’s
stunning West
Coast?
Bell Ingram is pleased to
announce the listing of
a collection of premium
properties located in Calgary
Bay, one of the most iconic
locations on the Isle of Mull.
They range from rarely
available coastal homes and
holiday lets, to a thriving
tearoom business, each
offering an exceptional lifestyle
opportunity and all located
in one of the most beautiful
island locations in Scotland.
To register your interest,
please email our team at
oban@bellingram.co.uk or
call Andrew Fuller directly on
01631 567 791.

www.bellingram.co.uk
Follow Bell Ingram on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
Linkedin
Beauly
Oban
Ayr
Aberdeen
Forfar
Perth
Morpeth
Ambleside
Head Offce: Durn, Isla Road, Perth
Northwich
Thirsk
Durn
Isla Road
Perth, PH2 7HF
Tel: 01738 621 121
Email: enquiries@bellingram.co.uk
Aberdeen
2 Albert Street,
Aberdeen, AB25 1XQ
Tel: 01224 621 300
Email: aberdeen@bellingram.co.uk
Ambleside
Low Nook, University of Cumbria
Rydal Road, Ambleside
Cumbria, LA22 9BB
Tel: 01539 896 101
Email: ambleside@bellingram.co.uk
Ayr
33 Sandgate,
Ayr, KA7 1BG
Tel: 01292 886 544
Email: ayr@bellingram.co.uk
Forfar
Manor Street
Forfar, DD8 1EX
Tel: 01307 462 516
Email: forfar@bellingram.co.uk
Highland
5 High Street
Beauly, IV4 7BS
Tel: 01463 717799
Email: highland@bellingram.co.uk
Morpeth
Ellington Business Centre
Lynemouth Road, Ellington
Morpeth, NE61 5HB
Tel: 01670 862 235
Email: morpeth@bellingram.co.uk
Northwich
Blakemere Village, Chester Road
Sandiway, Northwich
Cheshire, CW8 2EB
Tel: 01606 523 030
Email: northwich@bellingram.co.uk
Oban
5 Albany Street
Oban, PA34 4AR
Tel: 01631 566122
Email: oban@bellingram.co.uk
Thirsk
Thirsk Rural Business Centre
Blakey Lane, Thirsk
North Yorkshire, YO7 3AB
Tel: 01845 522 095
Email: thirsk@bellingram.co.uk
20 bi2021 spring winter bi2019 1