Planning Your Farm Sale in 2025

By Malcolm Taylor, Head of Farm Sales

With the busy farm sales season just around the corner, now is the time to act if you’re considering selling your farm in 2025. As one of Scotland’s most experienced rural property teams, Bell Ingram understands the importance of timing, preparation, and local knowledge in achieving the best outcome for your sale.

Why Spring is the moment to move

Spring marks the start of peak selling season in the Scottish rural property market. Farms look their best, buyers are active, and the market tends to gain momentum. But to take full advantage of this seasonal window, your preparations should already be underway.

Local expertise you can rely on

With decades of experience in the Scottish agricultural sector, Bell Ingram’s farm sales team combines deep-rooted local knowledge with a comprehensive understanding of market trends. Whether you’re selling a productive arable unit, a mixed holding, or a traditional hill farm, we know how to position your property for maximum appeal.

Bell Ingram’s recent analysis indicate significant trends in the Scottish farmland market:

• Demand for prime arable land is exceptionally strong.
• Purchaser type are mostly neighbouring farmers who are looking to expand or set their sons/daughters up with their own holding.
• Bare land sales last year achieved upto 30% above asking price.
• One equipped unit in Angus sold for over 35% over asking price.

Get ahead: The fey steps to take now

A successful sale begins well before your property hits the market. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready:

• Tax Planning
  Recent updates to inheritance tax rules make it vital to speak with your accountant early. Strategic planning now could help you unlock valuable reliefs and avoid surprises later.
• Legal Preparation
  Title issues and boundary clarifications can delay a sale if left too late. Starting the legal process now with your solicitor ensures everything’s in place when the time comes.
• Marketing that makes an impact
  A carefully crafted marketing campaign – tailored to your farm’s unique features – can dramatically increase buyer interest. We’ll advise on the best approach, whether that’s selling as a whole, splitting into lots, or enhancing the property’s presentation.

Strategic selling in 2025

In a market that’s both competitive and evolving, strategy matters. Our team works with you to make smart decisions based on your property’s strengths and current buyer demand:

• Residential appeal
  Could minor improvements to on-site dwellings increase buyer interest or overall value?
• Selling as a Whole or in Lots
  The right packaging can unlock greater value. We’ll help assess the most beneficial approach.
• Know your buyer
  While lifestyle features draw interest, buyers remain focused on land quality, location, and infrastructure. Understanding your target market is key – and that’s where our insight pays off.

Don’t wait – get started today

Scotland’s agricultural market offers real opportunity in 2025 – but only for those who are prepared. At Bell Ingram, we’re already working with serious buyers looking for the right property, from bare land to equipped farms. If you’re thinking about selling, let’s talk.

Contact Malcolm Taylor on 01307 462 516 or email malcolm.taylor@bellingram.co.uk to start planning your successful farm sale today.

I’m Hearing the Same Thing from Farmers Everywhere – They’re Thinking About Selling, Just Not Yet

By Rhona Booth, Partner

As both a farmer and someone working closely with rural clients here in Angus, I get to see things from both sides. And right now, when it comes to farm sales, there’s a definite pattern emerging.

I’ve got a lot of clients telling me they plan to sell – just not yet. The intention is there, but the commitment isn’t. Most of them are in their late 50s, with no obvious successors coming through behind them. They’re thinking about the future, they know a sale might be the right step at some point … but taking that first move is hard.

And I completely understand why.

Selling a farm isn’t just about land and money – it’s about legacy, identity, and everything that’s been built over a lifetime. Add to that the uncertainty around government support and the upcoming inheritance tax changes, and it’s no wonder people are hesitant.

From April 2026, the proposed cap on agricultural property relief for inheritance tax purpises is £1 million – means anything above that could face a hefty tax bill. For some, that’s a real trigger to start planning. But for others, it’s just another complication that makes the decision even harder.

That’s why I think this is the right time to keep the conversation going — not just this year, but over the next few. Even if you’re not ready to sell now, there’s real value in starting to explore your options early. It helps take the pressure off and gives you the chance to make informed choices when the time feels right.

Our team is here for that exact reason. We’re not here to push you into selling – just to offer a sounding board, a bit of advice, and a chance to talk things through.

If you’ve been mulling it over quietly, or you just want to understand what a sale might look like down the line, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to have that first conversation – and it might be the most useful one you have this year.

In Conversation With Our New Planning Consultant Garry Dimeck BTP MRTPI

We’re pleased to welcome Garry Dimeck to the team as a Planning Consultant, working within Bell Ingram Design – our in-house architectural practice. While based in the Design team, Garry works closely with colleagues across the wider Bell Ingram business to deliver expert planning advice to clients operating in a diverse range of sectors, from rural estates and private landowners to commercial developers and community organisations.

Garry brings extensive experience from both public and private sectors, helping clients unlock development opportunities with strategic, solutions-led planning advice.

As part of Bell Ingram’s Planning and Development service, Garry supports clients in securing planning permission for both rural and urban development. Working closely with architects, forestry, and utilities colleagues, the planning team becomes involved at the earliest stages of a project to ensure proposals are viable and feasible from the outset. This integrated, cross-disciplinary approach is central to Bell Ingram’s high success rate in navigating increasingly complex planning systems across Scotland.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what it involves?

Garry: I provide professional town planning advice to a wide range of clients across Scotland and the UK – including individuals, landowners, businesses, and community groups. My role involves supporting clients through all stages of the planning process, from early-stage appraisals through to submission and negotiation, ensuring the best route to consent.

What attracted you to this opportunity?

I was drawn to Bell Ingram Design’s integrated, collaborative way of working and its strong track record across rural and built environments. Being part of a multi-disciplinary team that understands the broader development context – from architecture to land management – enables us to offer clients a more streamlined, strategic service. I also value the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the business, drawing on a wide range of expertise to deliver the best outcomes for clients.

What professional experience do you bring to the team?

I’ve worked in senior roles in both public and private sector planning, and for the last nine years have run my own Planning Consultancy. This has given me a strong understanding of how planning authorities operate and what’s needed to achieve a positive outcome. My focus is always on helping clients ‘de-risk’ their proposals – whether that’s through detailed appraisals, tailored strategy, or effective engagement with local authorities and consultees.

What do you see as the most rewarding part of your work?

Planning can be a powerful tool for shaping places and delivering meaningful change. I find it rewarding to guide clients through the complexity and help realise developments that are both commercially and socially valuable.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Home life is a small-holding so free time can be limited, but when opportunity allows you will find me exploring the golf courses and fishing lochs of Scotland – there are so many!

Safeguarding Scotland’s Water: Peatland Restoration in Action

By Mark Mitchell

I recently came across this article on the BBC News website discussing the large-scale peatland restoration efforts at Loch Katrine, a project with significant implications for water quality, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation. You can read the full article here: BBC News – How repairing peat could prevent Glasgow’s tap water turning brown.

Loch Katrine, which supplies water to 1.3 million people in and around Glasgow, has seen its surrounding peatlands degrade due to overgrazing and climate change-induced extreme weather. This degradation has led to increased organic run-off, making water treatment more complex and costly. Without intervention, Glasgow’s tap water could turn brown during major storms, posing potential health risks.

The project, managed by Scottish Water and Forestry and Land Scotland, aims to restore 400 hectares of peatland and create one of Europe’s largest new woodlands. These efforts are expected to capture a million tonnes of carbon over 60 years while enhancing biodiversity. Advanced monitoring technologies, including satellite-linked radiometer sensors, are being used to track water quality in real time.

At Bell Ingram, we understand the critical role of peatland restoration in improving water quality, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing natural habitats. Our surveyors are actively co-ordinating similar projects for private clients across Scotland, ensuring that these vital ecosystems are protected for future generations.

It’s inspiring to see large-scale nature-based solutions like this being implemented. If you’d like to learn more about how Bell Ingram can support peatland restoration, get in touch with our team.

Shaping the Future of Land Management: Key Takeaways from SLE’s Training Day

Hamish Hope, Senior Surveyor, Beauly, attended the annual Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) Land Managers Training Day at Perth Racecourse on 26th March, joined by colleagues from Bell Ingram’s Rural team. This flagship CPD event brought industry professionals together to tackle key challenges and share knowledge. Here are the key takeaways:

• Scottish Land Reform Bill Update: Stephen Young (SLE) provided insights as the Bill was debated in Parliament that same day. Expect significant changes ahead.
• Compulsory Purchase & Infrastructure: Scott Logan (Brodies LLP) outlined powers under the Electricity Act, critical for land managers dealing with 400kV power lines and A9/A96 dualling projects.
• Housing & Energy Efficiency: Anna Gardiner (SLE) highlighted the 2027 requirement for agricultural tenancy properties to meet the repairing standard. Questions remain over landlord vs. tenant responsibilities.
• Biodiversity & Future Land Use: Joseph Dance & Francesca Fowler-Walsh (Savills) stressed the need to benchmark biodiversity now to prepare for a potential credit system. AI could drive efficiencies.
• Agricultural Support & Policy Changes: Eleanor Kay (SLE) unpacked key schemes, including the Agricultural Reform Programme and Future Farming Investment Scheme. The industry is changing fast – staying informed is essential.
• Workshops in Action: Hamish attended sessions on maximising compensation from access rights and best practices for community engagement (Scottish Land Commission). Both provided invaluable, real-world insights.

The day wrapped up with an expert panel tackling industry-wide questions. It was an insightful and engaging event – essential for keeping ahead of sector developments. Looking forward to next year!

Scotland’s West Coast: Where Business Meets Breathtaking Scenery

By Andrew Fuller, Oban Estate Agent

Investing in lifestyle businesses along Scotland’s stunning West Coast offers a rare combination of natural beauty and entrepreneurial opportunity. Known for its rugged landscapes and serene lochs, this region is home to a diverse range of business ventures. Bell Ingram has facilitated the sale of guest houses, marinas, chalet parks, and tearooms, helping many buyers turn their dreams into reality. One particularly exciting opportunity currently on the market is Sonachan House, located on the banks of Loch Awe.

Sonachan House is an impressive Scottish residence that blends lifestyle and business potential. The property includes a spacious four-bedroom ground-floor apartment, Kintyre Apartment, which retains its original architectural charm. Additionally, there are four well-established letting chalets, each offering breathtaking views across Loch Awe towards Ben Cruachan. The extensive grounds feature woodland walks, shoreside access, and a boat parking area with a slipway – perfect for water enthusiasts. This exceptional property is available for offers over £725,000.

Scotland’s West Coast is brimming with opportunities for those looking to invest in lifestyle businesses. Guest houses, such as Tanglin Guest House in Oban, are in high demand. This seven-bedroom mid-terrace property, on the market for offers over £395,000, enjoys strong visitor numbers, attracting tourists eager to explore this vibrant coastal town.

Chalets and pods are also popular options for those looking to relocate. Investing in holiday chalets provides an opportunity to tap into the region’s thriving tourism sector. The chalets at Sonachan House, for example, boast a history of repeat bookings, making them a solid investment.

For those seeking a more customer-facing venture, running a charming tearoom could be the perfect fit. The Old Byre and Heritage Centre, a well-loved tearoom, gift shop, and local history centre, is currently on the market alongside Torr A’ Chlachainn House, a beautiful family residence. Located to the north of the Isle of Mull, this unique opportunity has come to market due to retirement.

When considering a lifestyle business in the West Coast, it’s essential to evaluate factors such as location, accessibility, and existing tourism infrastructure. Properties with standout features, such as private jetties, moorings, or historical significance, often attract additional interest and value.

Finding the perfect lifestyle property requires expert guidance. Engaging with a knowledgeable estate agent who understands the local area is crucial—not just for the transaction itself, but also for advice on community life, transport links, schooling, and local events.

Andrew heads up the Estate Agency team in our Oban office and is focused on ensuring his clients have a first-class experience when they list their property with Bell Ingram. A resident of the Isle of Mull, Andrew is very well known across the West Coast of Scotland and has developed an excellent reputation for marketing prime residential property, including plots, crofts, island homes and lifestyle opportunities. 

For more information on our residential property services in Argyll & Bute click here. Or contact Andrew Fuller on 01631 566 122,  or email andrew.fuller@bellingram.co.uk.

Approaching the End of the First Quarter of 2025: Insights from Perthshire’s Property Market 

As the first quarter of 2025 draws to a close, the Perthshire property market has shown an unexpectedly swift start to the year. Traditionally, spring ushers in the bustling activity of property transactions, as increased listings inspire buyers and sellers alike to make their move. This year, however, has been different – ahead of schedule, with a wave of activity well before spring has reached its peak.

The early year enthusiasm has encouraged many to list their properties before stepping into the market as buyers themselves. It’s now common for offers subject to sale to be granted four to six weeks to allow for the completion of the buyer’s property sale. However, sellers retain the discretion to decide whether or not to pause marketing during this period.

Activity spans the full spectrum of the market, from properties requiring a complete renovation to breathtaking homes with asking prices exceeding £1,000,000. Competitive closing dates have been a recurring theme, with some properties achieving outstanding results due to competitive bidding.

Meanwhile, new-build homes remain a key area of interest, as buyers are drawn to modern designs, high-quality finishes, and the ever-important focus on energy efficiency.

Looking ahead to the warmer months of spring and summer, the property market in Perthshire is brimming with optimism. Success continues to hinge on realistic asking prices, compelling property presentation, and the right professional advice to guide clients through the process.

With over 35 years of experience in the Perth and Kinross area, Carl Warden is a trusted expert in the Scottish property market. Leading our Residential Estate Agency division, Carl specialises in marketing all kinds of prime residential properties, from charming period homes to sleek modern developments.

For tailored advice and support with buying or selling residential property in Perthshire, click here, call Carl Warden at 01738 621 121, or email him directly at carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk.