LATEST NEWS

Secluded but not isolated, Girdwoodend in South Lanarkshire is a well-positioned lifestyle property with varied commercial potential. There is a stunning four bedroom farmhouse, extensive commercial outbuildings, a studio, and over 10 acres of garden, woodland and pond to enjoy. The smallholding is currently run as a home with a hardwood timber business and school [...]

There is still speculation about what the new government will deliver for the agricultural industry. There are already pledges in place, with policies set to follow, but what are the anticipated implications for land managers? Paul Robinson, D&R Director based in Cockermouth said “The government has pledged to improve food security and to ensure more [...]

 A growing number of rural properties are being sold privately (off-market). The decision to sell privately is a very personal one. Not everyone wants to be on the open market, and for those who don’t, the key reasons for choosing to sell off-market include: Discrete, private and confidential Prequalified ready to move, motivated buyers Cut [...]

This Spring, we’ve seen a fivefold increase in rural property owners approaching us to sell their properties.  The number coming to market is increasing, and more sellers are choosing us as their agent for both on and off-market sales. Confidence in what we can achieve for both buyers and sellers is very encouraging. Word spreads [...]

Permitted Development Rights (PDR’s) allow agricultural businesses to make changes to existing buildings or erect new agricultural buildings without the need for a full planning application. Recent changes have opened up more opportunities for property owners. In May 2024, England and Wales updated PDR’s, with increased opportunities for agricultural buildings. The new guidelines should make [...]

Nestled in the charming and tranquil district of Argyll and Bute is Carloonan Farm in Inverary.  The farm has been battling with SSEN for just over a year to get a fair and proper compensation package for disruption caused by the installation of a new overhead line. The line, which is the second project of [...]

The drive towards Net-Zero energy requires swathes of electrical infrastructure upgrades across the country to form a network that will support the increased demand for electricity. Historically, energy was generated from a few large power stations, in the future most of this energy will be generated in rural locations. The nature of the electrical lines [...]

On June 28th, Senior Director Martin Hall, became President of CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers). CAAV members are agricultural and rural valuers who provide professional advice and valuation expertise on issues affecting the countryside. Martin was elected to the Executive Committee in 2021 and sits on the CAAV Panel of Arbitrators. As Vice President, [...]

The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced on the 13th of March 2024. It has yet to go through the full parliamentary process at Holyrood and is expected to be enacted later this year. It is likely to come into effect in phases. The Bill is a significant piece of legislation and will affect [...]

Proposed reforms to the national grid connection process mean demand from renewables developers for land rights is set to increase massively. For landowners, it opens a new set of opportunities which could be transformative for their businesses. Last year, there was an amnesty for developers who secured a grid connection but did not feel they [...]

The grand finale of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers (SAYFC) Tug of War competition held on Saturday at the Royal Highland Show, was another epic battle of passion, power and skill. Sponsored by Davidson & Robertson, the women’s competition was won by Kilmaurs YFC, Ayrshire, and the men’s event was won by Biggar YFC, [...]

There has been a fivefold increase in rural property sellers approaching Davidson & Robertson to market their properties this spring. The market is ticking upward in terms of the number of properties coming to market, and more sellers are choosing D&R as their agent for both on and off-market sales. Chris Edmunds, D&R Director and [...]

Situated in the picturesque region of East Dunbartonshire is Kettlehill Farm; a family-owned multigenerational farm with significant land holdings specialising in beef, sheep, and arable farming. The family-farm has been a loyal client of D&R for decades and have trusted Ian Austin and his team to provide advice on a wide range of Utilities, Energy [...]

Many farmers now agree that shelterbelts on farms are good for their land, livestock and also for the environmental sustainability of flora and fauna. Over the years there has been a push towards conifer planting for commercial gain, but could there be other, better long term options for farms by moving from coniferous to broadleaf [...]

Davidson & Robertson (D&R) has partnered with NFUS to support members on infrastructure issues. They have seen high demand due to the growing number of projects across Scotland, ranging from electricity upgrades and energising rail lines to new water pipeline plans.  The Affinity Partnership between D&R and NFUS was launched at AgriScot in November and [...]

Many farmers and landowners are going to be affected by the significant upgrades to electricity infrastructure, but not everyone knows what to do when the first official letter drops through the door. There are several ongoing consultations in the North East of Scotland about the new overhead lines, which are all at various stages. There [...]

Several renewable companies have terminated fixed price contracts awarded by the UK Government relating to onshore energy projects output prices, sparking concern that renewables development has peaked. This is not the case, renewables developers are hungry for more sites across Scotland and they are also prospecting for onshore wind sites in England. So, energy development [...]

  Our client approached us to market the sale of Upper Mains Farm, an excellently developed 230 acre beef and sheep farm with arable potential that was rarely available in the local market of the highly productive Dumfriesshire lowlands. The property included: A traditional, 5 bedroom farmhouse An excellent range of traditional and modern buildings [...]

Driving forward the growth of the property sales services at Davidson & Robertson (D&R) is Director Chris Edmunds. He takes the lead as Head of Agency for the business which is seeing their property sales service developing across Scotland and Northern England. Chris Edmunds spent his placement year with the firm at the Edinburgh office [...]

Selling your property is done only once, so knowing how well you are positioned in the marketplace and what you can do to improve your chances of a sale is critical. Deciding when and how to sell, and who you want to use as an agent, are the first three key issues facing property owners [...]

Passing her professional exams just before Christmas, Tess Gibson becomes Lanarkshire’s newest qualified Chartered Surveyor and a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). A farmer’s daughter from near Biggar, Tess Gibson studied for her Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) whilst working with Davidson & Robertson, the rural surveyors, and consultants with offices [...]

Alasdair Allan, Land Agent at Davidson & Robertson (D&R), has been promoted to Senior Associate in recognition of his utility work responsibilities. Alasdair joined D&R, the firm of rural surveyors and consultants, three years ago, and now acts as Land Agent focusing on infrastructure and utility work. His promotion to Senior Associate recognises the experience [...]

Chartered Surveyor Paul Robinson, has joined the Senior Management Team of Directors at Davidson & Robertson (D&R), creating a stronger platform for growing the business and developing staff across Cumbria and south west Scotland. Davidson & Robertson, the firm of rural surveyors and consultants, with offices on both sides of the border has promoted one [...]