LATEST NEWS

The Agency team at Davidson & Robertson (D&R), has joined the London-based Mayfair Office Group, in a strategic move resulting in even stronger links within the national and international property market. As rural specialists covering Scotland and Northern England, the new relationship with Mayfair Office further strengthens D&R’s property offering, providing an influential platform to [...]

A major new substation was proposed on an 80-acre section of the family farm. The proposed development was close to the farmhouse and steading, severing key parts of the land and threatening the overall viability of the farming business.  Over the course of 18 months, D&R supported the family through a complex and often stressful [...]

The industry needs twice the level of transmission infrastructure (pylons) that has been created in the past ten years – but it must be achieved in just five years. That has huge implications for landowners. Ian Austin, D&R Director, and Head of Utilities, Energy & Infrastructure hosted a seminar at the Royal Highland Show. The [...]

The Land Reform Bill (Scotland) is currently passing through Stage 2 of the Parliamentary process, taking proposed amendments from MSPs for consideration. At time of writing (early June), over 500 amendments have been put forward.  Whilst this is a dynamic situation, and subject to change before becoming an Act of Parliament, the headlines are likely [...]

Energy infrastructure project updates SSEN Transmission has already committed a £22 billion grid infrastructure investment in Scotland by 2030 which indicates the level of activity required in the next 6 years.   In Argyll, our team has been busy with numerous preconstruction agreements with clients on the LT194 Creag Dhubh – Inveraray 275kV OHL Project. The [...]

A retiring farmer appointed D&R to manage the sale of a high-quality, well-maintained arable and beef finishing farm, valued at over £4 million. The property, in excellent condition with modern infrastructure, required a strategy that would attract serious buyers while maximising returns.  D&R created a detailed, professional brochure to showcase the farm’s strengths and implemented [...]

Last year’s tax announcements, saw a shift in attitudes and priorities from farming businesses who are now focusing on a longer term, strategic review of assets and opportunities.   We have seen a recurring theme, with smaller parcels of land coming to market as farmers choose to consolidate their assets, selling land away from the homestead [...]

Drawing huge crowds and always an epic encounter, the final farming battle at this year’s Royal Royal Highland Show, was the Scottish Association of Young Farmers (SAYFC) Tug of War competition. The SAYFC Tug of War finale is one of the most exciting and energy filled events at the Royal Highland Show and requires great [...]

The All-Energy Conference brought together renewable developers, suppliers, and organisations whose focus is on the delivery of renewable energy. Emphasis was very much on the grid, the challenges around delivering renewable energy and the vast requirement to deliver infrastructure in the coming 5 years to meet the 2030 Clean Energy Plan. There were discussions on [...]

Knowing what to do when you hear your land may be affected by electricity infrastructure works is not something farmers and landowners tackle every day, but these are issues faced by Sarah Bennett, Associate at Davidson & Robertson, who says there are five key considerations that will make the process easier. Planning approval has recently [...]

Back in 2013, Neil Anderson, the Farm Manager at Harehead Farms, asked D&R to represent Harehead and negotiate terms with Fred. Olsen Renewables Limited (FORL) for an extension to the Crystal Rig Wind Farm complex, to be known as Crystal Rig IV (CRIV). Crystal Rig Wind Farm, which stretches across East Lothian and the Scottish [...]

Ian Austin, Davidson & Robertson Director and Head of Utilities, Energy and Infrastructure looks at the 2030 Clean Energy Plan and how it will impact farmers. December 2024 saw the launch of the Government’s 2030 Clean Energy Plan, a plan to meet 100% of Great Britain’s electricity demand with clean power by 2030. An outcome [...]

D&R is working on infrastructure projects right across Scotland and northern England. Orkney developments: SSE have multiple projects affecting Orkney including overhead and underground reinforcement works, a new substation, an onshore underground HVAC cable and a 53km subsea HVAC cable connecting to the mainland. Alasdair Allan, Associate Director has been in Orkney representing landowners affected [...]

The Davidson & Robertson team of rural surveyors and consultants took part in a charity walk around Loch Leven late last year, during which, they picked their 2025 charity of the year. Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), was the charity of choice, and this week, they received a cheque donation for over £4,200. CHAS is [...]

Mindork Farm is a mixed livestock farm in the scenic Machars area. The property was brought to market in two lots with the first offering a five-bedroom traditional farmhouse, steading and approximately 144 acres, and the second lot offering 39 acres of land.  Our client, Mr Walker, decided to explore his options for the future [...]

There are positive signs in the property market, despite the challenges of 2024. Last year we saw 100% growth – both in terms of tender enquiries and instructions to sell. Chris Edmunds, D&R Director and Head of Agency said: Our visibility significantly increased last year, and we completed sales on some exceptional farms, good quality [...]

Two members of the Davidson & Robertson team based in Cockermouth have gained advanced qualifications whilst working at the company. Both took different journeys, highlighting the variety of routes into rural professional services of surveying and land agency. Nathaniel Walton has qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), and [...]