Escart Farm, Tarbert, Argyll, PA29 6YF

A property deserving of refurbishment with plenty of scope for improvement or development, comprising a farmhouse, cottage and a range of stone and timber outbuildings. This is an ideal property for a purchaser looking to create an attractive home in the stunning Argyll landscape.

Tarbet 2 miles; Lochgilphead 17 miles; Oban 53 miles; Glasgow 106 miles; Edinburgh 150 miles (all distances are approximate)

• Two-and-a-half storey seven-bedroom farmhouse now requiring complete renovation.

• Single-storey derelict one-bedroom cottage

• A group of stone and timber outbuildings

• Enviable location overlooking West Loch Tarbert

• Mixture of rough grazing, permanent pasture and woodland grazing

• Extending to approximately 188.28 Acres (76.195 ha) in total

LOCATION

To the north, Tarbert on Loch Fyne - known as the gateway to the peninsula of Kintyre - provides a good selection of independent shops including gift shops, newsagents, grocers, cafes, restaurants public houses, post office, bank, medical centre, numerous hotels and Guesthouses as well as a village hall and gallery. Tarbert Academy provides education for the village and surrounding areas for children aged 3-18. Various highly-regarded independent schools are available within the wider area including Lomond School, Helensburgh and St Columba's, Kilmacolm. The village of Tarbert is well known for its attractive natural harbour which is still home to a small working fishing fleet and is an increasingly popular destination for the yachting fraternity.

A greater range of amenities can be found further north in Lochgilphead, the administrative centre for the Argyll and Bute region. Which provides a sports centre, library, supermarkets, veterinary practice, banks and a regional hospital with Accident & Emergency services.

SURROUNDING AREA

To the south, the Kintyre Peninsula opens up to provide an array of excellent leisure opportunities. Well known for beautiful views in every direction with numerous beaches, an abundance of flora and fauna, a great variety of birds and heritage sites - some dating back 6,000 years. For keen walkers, the Kintyre Way (which stretches for just over 100 miles from Tarbert to Dunaverty Bay) is easily accessed with various diversions possible for the novice. A circular road follows the coast of the peninsula with spectacular sea views across to the Isle of Jura, Islay and Gigha to the west and the Isle of Arran on the east.

At the most southern point is the famous Mull of Kintyre and the Royal Burgh of Campbeltown which offers a variety of attractions including a heritage centre, the restored Art Nouveau-style Campbeltown Picture House, Linda McCartney Memorial Garden and the Campbeltown Cross. Campbeltown was once known as the ‘Whisky Capital of the World’ thanks to its 34 distilleries. Today there are just three remaining: Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle's Kilkerran.

Regular ferry services, operated by CalMac, provide access to the region’s many islands and an alternative route to the central belt. From Kennacraig (three miles south of Escart) daily ferries service Islay, Jura and Colonsay. Portavadie and the Cowal Peninsula ferries leave from Tarbert, across Loch Fyne, providing access to four ferry terminals. The ferry terminal at Claonaig, to the east, provides crossings to the Isle of Arran. The Isle of Gigha is also easily accessible, with regular ferries leaving from Tayinloan.

During the summer months, there is also a fast ferry service to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland from Campbeltown (however, this service is currently restricted due to COVID).

Connections to all mainland destinations can be made by bus. The closest airport, with scheduled domestic flights, is Campbeltown Airport, Machrihanish with direct flights to Glasgow Airport. International flights are available from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, both of which can ordinarily be reached in two-and-a-half hours and three-and-a-half hours respectively.

SITUATION

Escart enjoys a relatively secluded position set back from the A83, accessed by a 200-metre stone chipped private track leading up to the farmhouse and agricultural buildings. The farm, which has a primarily westerly aspect, ranges in height from sea level rising to 110 metres on Glac na h-Ordaig. The farmhouse sits in an elevated position with the range of stone and timber outbuildings to the rear while the cottage is 20m to the north.

DESCRIPTION

Escart provides the perfect secluded getaway with spectacular inland and coastal views. The property has plenty of scope for improvement and affords potential purchasers the opportunity to create a new stand-alone farm/mini estate or equine property but might equally lend itself to small-scale rewilding or as a forestry investment.

ESCART FARMHOUSE

The substantial farmhouse faces west with fine views of West Loch Tarbert down the driveway. While currently in derelict condition, the farmhouse presents an opportunity for the buyer to either restore the existing building or alternatively develop a new dwelling (subject to the gaining the requisite planning permission) on either the same site or elsewhere on the farm. The current structure is of traditional stone construction under a pitched timber-framed slate-covered roof and extends over two-and-a-half storeys with a single-storey extension to the rear and conservatory to the front.

Given its current condition, it will not be possible to safely inspect the interior, but we understand the accommodation formerly included:

Ground floor: Dining room, living room and conservatory all accessed from a hallway with stairs leading to the first floor. The kitchen/breakfast room to the rear is accessed off the dining room, which runs the full width of the building. The back door is accessed through the boot room with further access to the utility and WC. A pantry adjoins the kitchen.

First floor: Consisting of four double bedrooms with two family bathrooms at the front and rear of the house, accessed off two hallways.

Second floor: Three further double bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

FARMLAND

Extending to approximately 198.47 acres (80.32 hectares). The majority of the land lies to the east of the A83 with a smaller area to the west. A single small standalone field lies to the south of the West Loch Shores holiday park. The farm does not have a formal farming operation at present, and there are no Basic Payment Entitlements owned or included in the sale. In general, the land can all be described as being permanent pasture or rough grazing, with areas of woodland grazing in the north east.

The main block of land is divided into several enclosures by mainly post and wire fences. It is understood that all the land has been designated within the Less Favoured Area (LFA) with the majority classified as Grade 5.3 by the James Hutton Institute Land Classification for Agriculture system. In addition, all the agricultural land is IACS registered but not currently being claimed upon.

Escart would provide extensive grazing and enclosed space for an equestrian-minded purchaser and ample room for the development of a riding area/ménage and stabling, whether in a bespoke building or conversion of the existing structures.

Further details are available by downloading our brochure