Country house for sale

Pluscarden Estate - The Whole, Elgin, Morayshire IV30

For sale as a whole or in two lots

The property
Pluscarden Estate is stunning mixed agricultural, residential and woodland estate located in a tranquil rural setting nestled in the vale of Pluscarden close to the famous Pluscarden Abbey. In total the estate extends to approximately 1,365.94 acres (552.78 Ha) and is offered for sale as a whole or in two lots as follows:

Lot 1 Pluscarden Estate
Extending to approximately 1,099.76 acres (445.06 Ha), this comprises Westerton House, and gardens, Westerton Cottage, some farm buildings and an extensive acreage of arable, grazing land and woodland.

Westerton House
Westerton House dates back to around 1990 and is located on the site of an older house which was demolished in the 1960s. The house is approached from the main road via a private tree lined track and enjoys a good amount of privacy, constructed of timber frame and block construction with a harled exterior set under a pitched and slate covered roof. The accommodation within the house is spacious and well-presented and has wonderful views over the surrounding mature gardens and lawns.

The accommodation can be briefly described as follows:

Ground Floor
Dining hall, drawing room, breakfasting kitchen, vestibule, rear hall, cloakroom, bedroom 5/study and conservatory

First Floor
Principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, 3 further bedrooms (en-suite) and laundry room.

Council tax band - G
EPC rating - D

Outbuildings, Gardens & Grounds.
The surrounds of the house are notable with extensive lawn areas, specimen trees and to the southeast and west of the house together with 2 large feature ponds which lie top the south.

To the west of the house lies a walled garden which enjoys a secluded and peaceful location. The garden is well maintained and comprises areas of lawn, manicured hedging, specimen trees, flower beds together with a glass house and greenhouse.

Westerton Cottage
Lying to the north of Westerton House is Westerton Cottage which was built in the late 1980s’. This house enjoys extensive and well-proportioned accommodation and is of timber frame and block construction set under a pitch slated rood. The house which sits within its own substantial lawned garden area can be briefly summarised as follows:

Ground Floor
Porch, scullery, kitchen, reception hall, sitting room, study 1, living room, study, 2 bedrooms.

First Floor
Bathroom, 3 bedrooms

Council tax band - F
EPC rating - D

Farm Buildings
General Purpose Agricultural Shed
A large general purpose shed is located on the roadside within the hamlet of Pluscarden adjacent to the main road.

Cattle Court
Lying on the southern side of the estate is a Cattle Court with yard area adjacent. It is concrete built under a cement fibre roof, with timber trusses with two external silage clamps. It is serviced with mains water and electricity.

Agricultural Land & Woodland
The lands include arable, permanent pasture, temporary grass, rough grazing, woodland grazing and both commercial and broadleaf woodlands.

See table within sales particulars for breakdown.

The land is graded as a combination of grades 3.1 and 4.2 by the James Hutton Institute and has a relatively neutral to gently undulating gradient. The land is all easily accessed by way of public roads and also internal farm tracks.

Woodland
Pluscarden Estate contains an attractive mixture of mature broadleaves with a core of productive conifers of varying age ranges. The commercial area extends to approximately 44.22 hectares (109.26 acres) and comprises predominantly high yield class Sitka spruce with areas of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Larch.

The majority of the commercial crop was planted in 2015 and is now exhibiting strong yield classes, which will produce a good volume of timber when maturity is reached. There is a small area of mature conifers that would be suitable for immediate felling allowing a purchaser to benefit from immediate tax-free income

The land is subject to forestry grant schemes, please contact the selling agents for more information

A copy of the compartment map and schedule is available from the selling agents.

Lot 2 –Netherbyre
Extending to approximately 266.17 acres (107.72 Ha) of land together with Netherbyre Farmhouse, which is currently let under a life rent tenancy and would benefit from some upgrading and modernisation.

The accommodation of the house is as follows:

Ground Floor
Porch, scullery, kitchen, reception hall, sitting room, study 1, living room, study 2-bedrooms.

First Floor
Bathroom, 3-bedrooms

Council tax band - D
EPC rating - G

A summary of the land within lot 2 can be seen in a table within the sales particulars.

Sporting and Amenity
Pluscarden offers some good Roe Deer stalking. The estate was once renowned for its pheasant shoot which could be re-established.

General Information
Designations/Listings
The estate has designations as follows:

Netherbyre Farmhouse – Grade C listed
Ingoing valuation

In addition to the purchase price, the purchaser will be required on the date of entry to pay an additional and separate sum for:
1. Any growing crops.
2. Any cultivations.
3. Any unexhausted manures in field storage.
4. Any silage on the farm.
5. All oils, fuel, fertilisers, sprays, chemicals, seeds and sundries at cost.

Basic Payment Scheme
The Basic Payment Scheme (bps) are included in the sale. The vendors will, if appropriate, retain any payments relating to the 2025 scheme year. Further information in relation to the Basic Payment can be obtained from the selling agents

Location
Pluscarden Estate sits in a picturesque and highly desirable setting in the Vale of Pluscarden, an area of great landscape value in the County of Moray and with the world famous Pluscarden Abbey located close by.

The undulating topography and landscape allow for fantastic views across the estate and surrounding woodland and rich farmland drained by the Black Burn, a tributary of the River Lossie.

The County of Moray, is famous for its mild climate, beautiful and varied countryside with rich agricultural land, prosperous fishing villages and wide open beaches. The upland areas to the south are sparsely populated and provide dramatic scenery, some of which forms part of the Cairngorm National Park.

This unspoilt landscape provides a wide range of leisure and sporting opportunities including fishing on the world-famous Spey and Findhorn Rivers, skiing at the Lecht in the Cairngorm range, sailing and walking. The Culbin Forest is a short drive away with its marked walks and cycle trails and offers excellent opportunities for a wide range of outdoor pursuits.

The towns of Elgin and Forres provide a comprehensive range of shops and amenities; whilst Inverness (37 miles west) offers all the facilities of a modern city including its airport with regular flights to the south and summer flights to parts of Europe. Aberdeen (70 miles southeast) provides extensive city amenities including Aberdeen International Airport (66 miles) which offers regular connections to domestic airports and international destinations. Private schooling is provided just north of Elgin at Gordonstoun School (12 miles). Other private schooling is available in Aberdeen at Albyn, Robert Gordons, The International School and St Margaret’s. The estate is very accessible, situated between the A96 and A95 which provide access to the wider road network including the A9 and the A90 for routes in all directions. The A96 also provides easy access to Europe’s oil capital, Aberdeen, where culture, art and further amenities can be enjoyed.

With regards to agricultural services, the area profits from nearby grain merchants, machinery dealers and suppliers. The closest livestock market of scale is Aberdeen and Northern Marts at Thainstone by Inverurie