Blackwood is one of Dumfriesshire’s oldest and most established sporting estates, set within a contiguous block of rolling Nith Valley country and flanked by the River Nith to the east. Extending to approximately 1,242 acres, the estate includes around 662 acres of mixed agricultural farmland and 519 acres of woodland. Centred on Blackwood House, it has a rare coherence and maturity, its character defined by the quality of the sport, the lie of the land and the attractive interplay of mature woodland, rolling pasture and productive farmland. It is a traditional Scottish estate of substance and balance, combining a fine principal house, established policies, residential and agricultural interests, and a sporting landscape shaped by the river and surrounding countryside.

Blackwood House lies at the heart of the estate, occupying a fine position on the banks of the River Nith. The original tower, the oldest part of the house, dates from the 18th century, with later additions providing generous accommodation for family life and impressive rooms for entertaining. The charming Gate Lodge at the foot of the front drive provides an inviting sense of arrival.

The grounds and policies are well established, with mature trees, a large ornamental pond and beautiful walled gardens containing a Victorian glasshouse. The river is directly accessible from the house, with the nearest pool only a short walk from the garden.

Adjacent to the house is the principal outbuilding, a handsome mid-18th century stable block arranged around a courtyard. The porch of this elegant, whitewashed building is surmounted by a 17th century dovecot with a porthole window.

There are six separate cottages and a farmhouse on the estate, reflecting both its scale and its long-established role within the local community.

The estate is offered for sale as a whole or in up to three lots, as follows:

LOT 1 - BLACKWOOD ESTATE (ABOUT 469 ACRES)
Lot 1 forms the heart of Blackwood Estate, centred on Blackwood House and its historic policies on the banks of the River Nith. Extending to about 469 acres, it includes the principal house, established gardens and grounds, an exceptional traditional courtyard, estate buildings, 6 cottages, farmland, woodland and approximately two miles of double-bank fishing. It is a well-balanced and highly attractive principal lot, combining the amenity and character of a historic country house with useful residential, sporting, agricultural and woodland interests.

LOT 2 - BARRHILL FARM (ABOUT 286 ACRES)
Barrhill Farm lies to the west of Lot 1 and is accessed from the main road to Keir Mill by a separate private track. The farmhouse and buildings occupy an outstanding elevated position at the centre of a ring-fenced block extending to about 286 acres, with far-reaching views over the surrounding farmland and towards the Solway Coast.
In recent years, the farm has been let under a seasonal grazing arrangement, with the occupier of the farmhouse and buildings running a beef and sheep enterprise.

LOT 3 - LAG AND HALLIDAY HILL (ABOUT 488 ACRES)
GRAZING
The farmland extends to about 254 acres and is generally classified as Grade 4(2), rising from about 70 metres above sea level at Glenmidge Burn to approximately 206 metres. The grazing is arranged in two distinct blocks.

The Lag fields lie in the westernmost part of the estate and are accessed from the public road. They comprise five pasture fields, mainly enclosed by stone dykes. An area of rough ground has previously provided productive snipe ground, while the pond offers duck flighting.

The Halliday Hill grazing is accessed by the private track leading from Glenmidge through the forestry towards the stone ruins at Upper Halliday. The ground sits higher on the hill and is more undulating, with much of it benefiting from a southerly aspect. Historically divided into enclosures, it is now run as a single block, providing extensive livestock grazing.

FORESTRY AND WOODLAND CREATION
Forestry is the principal component of Lot 3 totalling approximately 229 acres. The bulk of the woodland lies on the north-facing slope of Benan Hill, overlooking Lag Tower, and comprises commercial conifers of varying ages, including spruce, fir, pine and larch, together with areas of mixed woodland.

The woodland is managed under a long-term forest plan, with thinning, felling and restocking designed to maintain productivity while taking account of access, landscape and sporting considerations. Yield classes range from approximately 12 m³/ha/year for Norway spruce to approximately 18 m³/ha/year for Sitka spruce. Recent felling has taken place between 2024 and 2026, with the next planned felling from 2029 onwards.