Land for sale

CLOSING DATE SET FOR THURSDAY, 09 September 2021 AT 12 NOON.

SITUATION
Maolachy is surrounded by the dramatic landscape of a remote glen between the sea at Kilmelford and Loch Awe. The property, part of which dates from the late 1600s, sits in an elevated and secluded position and enjoys far reaching views. The house and steading is surrounded by about 45 acres comprising extensive garden grounds, woodland and grazing land which provide a natural and unspoilt habitat for the many species of wildlife for which the area is known.

The property is situated a short distance from Kilmelford on Argyll’s west coast, with a village shop/post office/ café, a hotel with bar and village hall with squash and badminton courts. The sheltered anchorage of Loch Melfort is popular with sailors, with Craobh Haven Marina and Ardfern Yacht Centre a few miles to the south. There is also a primary school at Kilninver to the north and in the coastal town of Oban, a wide range of shops, café, restaurants, cinema, leisure centre and choice of schools. Regular train services connect the area to Glasgow and beyond and daily sailings operate to the Inner and Outer Isles. Further north at Connel, a small airport operates flights to the Western Isles with plans to extend to Glasgow in future.

DESCRIPTION
Maolachy comprises a large, traditional 5/6 bedroom farmhouse with rendered walls under a slate roof. The property is situated in a stunning location surrounded by beautiful, mature gardens and benefiting from far reaching views from many of the principal rooms. The property’s unique position affords it a high degree of privacy and tranquillity with the nearest property over a mile away. The main house adjoins a small cottage and various outbuildings forming an attractive courtyard to the rear. The property has been extended to include an additional living room, bedroom and wet room accessed via the house and from its own courtyard entrance. Other improvements include the re-roofing of the main house and two outbuildings and some replacement windows. Maolachy benefits from two hydro schemes both generating income and a small rental income from a British Geological Survey earthquake monitoring station (see below). Maolachy offers a unique lifestyle opportunity with scope for development in a variety of ways, including as a permanent family home, holiday retreat and extensive rental business subject to the usual planning consents.

ACCOMMODATION
The main house, which is in need of modernisation, includes a large open plan dining, kitchen, living area with AGA and wood burning stove. A study also offers scope for use as an additional ground floor bedroom. From the kitchen, steps lead up to a partly renovated studio/store room with the potential for use as additional accommodation. Beyond the kitchen is the main living room with panoramic views over the garden and glen, and a wheel chair accessible bedroom and wet room. There are a further 3 bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor and two attic bedrooms on the second floor.
From the ground floor bedroom, a door links the main house to the adjoining Garden Cottage which would also benefit from further improvement. The cottage has been let successfully in the past by the owners and offers the potential to be developed as an attractive self- contained unit with first floor bedroom and bathroom. It also has its own direct access to the garden and private entrance from the courtyard. A covered passage leading to the garden links the cottage to a laundry room, large workshop and former calf shed.

On the north side of the courtyard is Stable Cottage, a former 2 bedroom self- contained property, which was also let successfully in the past. The cottage is in need of renovation, but has the potential to become a delightful rental property with two first floor bedrooms, bathroom and open plan kitchen living area on the ground floor. Linked by an archway to a parking area is a large former hay barn currently used as a garage/workshop with parking for several cars. The west byre, with cobbled floor, comprises a single garage and extensive wood store. All the outbuildings offer excellent potential for development.

GARDEN AND GROUNDS
Maolachy’s magical garden has been developed by the current owners over nearly 50 years. The 3 acres of woodland garden encompass a delightful array of mature trees, flowers, shrubs, rocky outcrops, waterfalls, pools and bridges crossing burns, and all accessed via paths which provide a circular route through it. The garden is divided into distinct areas including the wild garden with copper beach, rowans and wild flowers; the bog garden, a sought after habitat for birds and butterflies, and the shrub garden with Buddleias and wide range of spring bulbs. With an extended flowering season, the gardens are popular with visitors under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. Behind the courtyard are two dog kennels and a walled garden with new polytunnel, raised beds and green house. Beyond which is a waterfall and oak woodland bordered by land owned by Forestry and Land Scotland. Throughout the garden are numerous seating areas offering a choice of settings from which to enjoy the natural habitat.

Access to Maolachy is via a private drive from the main road which leads up to the side of the property and a parking area for several cars. The drive continues to the rear of the courtyard. Opposite the parking area is the entrance to the courtyard, house and outbuildings. To the front of the house is a large lawn with far reaching views of the glen.

MAOLACHY LAND
The original inbye is ring fenced and extends to approximately 32 acres of grazing, including about 6 acres of which were arable. The gardens total approximately 4 acres and woodland about 9 acres. Within the land is a fenced off area and includes a new tractor shed. The grazing is a registered farm holding leased to a local farmer until December 2021.

HYDRO SCHEMES
Maolachy benefits from two micro-hydro schemes. Further details are available from the selling agents. Key features include:

Schemes are grid connected to receive index-linked Feed In Tariff (FIT) payments with 8 and 11 years remaining respectively
Current average gross annual income £26,400
Low annual service costs, approximately £2,000
Local firm will maintain if required

EARTHQUAKE MONITORING STATION
Part of the Scottish chain of important earthquake monitoring stations operated by the British Geological Survey (BGS). Key features include:
Rent of £500 per annum
Renewable annual lease running until March 2022


EPC Rating = F



Marketed by: Galbraith, Stirling