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More than half of the Scottish sporting estates that were put on the market last year failed to attract buyers because of the economic downturn, says Strutt & Parker.
Strutt & Parker’s figures show that of the 26 estates offered for sale in 2008, just 12 were sold or under offer by the end of the year. In 2007, all 16 estates marketed were sold. Strutt & Parker’s figures show that the average size of Scottish estate sold in 2007 was 4,300 acres and average price was £3.9m, with buyers paying an average 15% above asking price. Sale prices in 2008 rose to and average of £5m but premium above asking price fell to 10%. Strutt & Parker says that demand is for all-round sporting estates. New to the market is Cassillis, a castle on the River Doon in South-West Scotland which was been owned by the Kennedy family since the late 13th century. Category A listed, the castle has been added to over the years – particularly in the 17th century – and has accommodation over five floors which includes 12 bedrooms and five reception rooms. The drawing room, the inner hall and the dining room are particularly notable for their grand fireplaces, cast windows and fine ceiling plasterwork. The spiral staircase is part of the original Keep of Cassillis and is built clockwise to ensure an easy defence for a right-handed swordsman. Outside are a stable block, coach house and stables cottage, as well as a traditional period lodge with two bedrooms, a gardener’s cottage and a walled garden which was a market garden until 2003. The total woodland area extends to around 235 acres and the trees have been managed and maintained with both landscape and commercial values in mind. There is currently no formal shoot but there is good potential for a rough shoot and roe stalking. The property also has 0.8 miles of double bank fishing for salmon and sea trout in the River Doon and an additional mile is single bank. Guide price is £2.5m. Agent is Savills.
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Rural agency 
