Ayrshire: Largs farm goes on the market for £2 million

Brisbane Mains farm is located 1.5 miles due north of Largs with wonderful views west towards the sea and the islands of Bute, Arran and the Cumbraes.

The land which is being marketed includes popular countryside walking area such as Knock Hill, which overlooks the Firth of Clyde and islands beyond.

Property agents Goldcrest Land and Forestry Group, based in Edinburgh, describe it as "a rare opportunity" to purchase 1,445,000 square metres - slightly more than 357 acres - of land, "accompanied by a charming mixed age broadleaved woodland and a medieval hill fort".

There is a footpath which provides access to the hill fort, and the Ayrshire Coastal Path runs through the property.

The land includes a variety of young and mature woodland, species-rich grasslands and peatland, as well as more than 200,000 trees that have been planted to help conserve and enhance the special biodiversity of this site

Most of the planted trees are native, including birches and oaks, while there are also native shrubs and some Scots pines.

Brisbane Mains Farm is described as "an attractive and unique property" which was planted with mostly mixed broadleaves in 2021.

On the west side of the property is The Knock Hill Fort which is described as a "fascinating historical landmark which dates back to the medieval era".

The forestry grant scheme which helped fund the planting of the trees is active until 2026.

An annual maintenance payment is paid to the owner of the property until the scheme comes to an end. The outstanding payments will be paid to the buyer of the property.

Outlining the biodiversity and environmental values of the site, the marketing brief states: "The open areas include marshy and upland calcareous grasslands.

"These meadows are rich in many places with wildflowers, such as whorled caraway, ragged robin, wild thyme and wild pansy. In summer they buzz with insect life, being hotspots for pollinators, such as bees, and other insects.

"Brisbane Mains Farm has attractive mature woodland, some of which was established over 130 years ago, and indeed, includes pockets of remnant ancient oak, ash and hazel woodland.

"It is home to a wide variety of species, from the rare giant horsetail to bats, fungi and rich in birdlife, including spotted flycatcher, garden warbler and great spotted woodpecker."

All of the new planting and the majority of the property is enclosed within a deer fence. 

The property is being sold by two parties - one the owner of the land and trees and the second the "pending issuance units" (PIUs).

A PIO is described by the UK Woodland Carbon Code as "effectively a 'promise to deliver' a woodland carbon unit in future, based on predicted sequestration".

Goldcrest add: "Potential purchasers are encouraged to speak to the sellers in advance of bidding to discuss the apportionment of price between the two assets."

You can read the marketing brief here.