Old Montrose FarmBy Montrose, Angus, DD10 9LN

Old Montrose is an immaculately presented arable farm which has been managed to the highest of standards by the vendors and vendor's family for 95 years, spanning three generations. Previously tenants of Southesk Estate, the vendors purchased the farm in 1995, and have since heavily invested in both the fabric (residential property and purpose built agricultural sheds) and the fertility of the farm.

The farm extends to approximately 602 acres and is accessed from the public road via a private tree lined concrete drive, neatly flanked by sandstone walls. The residential dwellings, including a farmhouse and two detached cottages, are accessed off the drive which continues through a security gate to the core of the farm, where the farm buildings are located.

The farmhouse sits elevated to the north west of the steading facing south west. The vendors' input to the design has resulted in a stunning, comfortable and practical family home and farmhouse.

Two cottages constructed in 1996 and 2000 today provide accommodation for an employee and a short term let.

The farm steading at Old Montrose is an extensive range of high quality agricultural buildings, mainly of modern construction, providing potato cold and ambient storage, grain storage, grain drying facilities and general purpose sheds. An 80kW wind turbine supports the cold storage units and provides a further income for the farm. In addition, a borehole supplies a reliable irrigation source supplementary to the River Southesk.

The land is made up of sizeable fields well suited for modern agricultural cultivations

Until 2004 the farm operated a mixed farming enterprise with a herd of approximately 80 suckler cows run across the pasture at Old Montrose. The cattle courts have since been replaced with potato sheds or repurposed to support the grain enterprise, and the grazings are let locally on a seasonal basis for grazing cattle.

In contrast to the predominantly arable nature of the farm, is an area known as The Lurgies, covering approximately 70 acres. It is diverse in its landscape which varies from pasture to large reed beds, marsh, woodland and scrub, providing not only grazing for livestock but natural habitats for a vast array of species.

The Met Office reports that rainfall for the area (Arbroath) is relatively low in comparison to the rest of Scotland and the UK, with an average of 639mm (25 inches) in a typical year. Average temperatures ordinarily remain above freezing in winter and reach on average 18 degrees Celsius in July.

Old Montrose Farmhouse
Old Montrose Farmhouse is an attractive two storey farmhouse which sits prominently enjoying views across the surrounding countryside. Set amongst almost an acre of gardens, the house is accessed via a private, tree lined entrance, leading to a turning circle featuring a monkey puzzle tree, and parking area at the front door. To the rear is further parking and two double garages (one of which is detached from the house) with electric garage doors.

The landscaped gardens surround the house, sheltered by beech, Leylandii and hawthorn hedgerows. The gardens feature a mixture of trees and large borders filled with flowers, plants and shrubs, well-planned to provide an array of year round colour. To the south west, a well considered sunken garden has been created, accessed from the house via a paved patio and steps, or via the rear driveway. Sheltered by sandstone walls of varying height, characterised by mill stones from days gone by on the farm, the sunken garden is designed around a large timber sun house painted grey to match the eaves of the farmhouse, complete with a slate roof.

The ground floor is elevated via steps which lead to a covered entrance at the front door. The front porch leads to the main hallway which incorporates a large cupboard. Through double doors on the left is the sitting room which faces south, features a working fire and provides access through double doors to the patio; a door to the right leads to the kitchen/dining room. The open plan kitchen/dining room is triple aspect and filled with natural light. The dining area is spacious and the kitchen features a Rangemaster double cooker with induction hob, integrated fridge, dishwasher and microwave. From the kitchen, the utility room can be accessed which benefits from a laundry chute which links to the first floor landing. The utility continues through to the rear porch which connects back to the main hall, off which is a W.C. and stairway down to a cellar. The boiler is located in the cellar, along with a Belfast sink and door to the adjoining double garage.

In the main hall, a stairway with a large Velux window above leads to a split level landing. Through partially glazed timber double doors, the hallway opens up to a spacious drawing room with triple aspect views and an open working fireplace.

The stairs continue to the first floor landing which incorporates a linen cupboard. To the right is the principal bedroom with built in wardrobes, a balcony and en suite shower room with twin sinks. Also on the first floor there are a further three bedrooms, a family bathroom and separate shower room.

Sitting to the east of the private concrete driveway, overlooking a grass park with views towards Montrose Basin, are two detached cottages, Parkview and The Limes.

Farm buildings
Located at the end of the concrete road is a well equipped steading suitable for the potato and arable enterprise which has been run at Old Montrose latterly. In total the buildings have potato cold store capacity for approximately 3,700 tonnes, and ambient storage for approximately 1,500 tonnes. In addition, there is approximately 2,000 tonnes of grain storage.

The cold store units are available to the purchaser by separate negotiation.

Land
The farm extends to 602 acres which includes 494 acres of arable/grass leys, 77 acres of pasture and 2 acres of trees. Lying into Montrose Basin the land reaches 20 metres above sea level at its highest point. The soils comprise a mixture of mainly sandy loams and brown earths, with areas of river silts by the Southesk at Bridge of Dun.

The topography is relatively flat, with gentle slopes in places. Field compartments are free draining and considerable in size, lending themselves well to modern farming practices. The majority of fields can be accessed either off the public road, via the track known as the "Bank Road", which leads from the farm steading to the wind turbine, or are interconnecting.

The arable land is classed as grade 2, 3(1) and 3(2) and is therefore capable of producing a wide variety of high yielding crops. In recent years the land has grown winter wheat, spring barley, oil seed rape, ware potatoes and spring peas. The ground growing peas is let on a seasonal basis.

The land is registered to receive subsidies through the Basic Payment Scheme and the Basic Payment Scheme Entitlements are included in the sale.

An area known as The Lurgies (field 10) and Waterside (field 3), is beneficial to Old Montrose, providing considerable biodiversity and amenity value. The land is a mixture of both productive grade 3(2), and 5(2) permanent pasture.

Grazings in the Lurgies (field 10), Waterside (field 3), Back of Barnhead (field 4) and The Cow Park (field 9) are let on a seasonal basis between April and October to a local farmer. Fences are stockproof and water is is provided via water troughs or natural means.

The Lurgies, in conjunction with Montrose Basin, is important for its extensive areas of salt and freshwater marsh and wet grassland, which are rich in plant diversity.

Wind Turbine
Located to the south west of the farm steading and on the side of a farm track, is an 80kW, two blade wind turbine, standing 39 metres tall. It produces electricity which assists in powering the cold store units and distributes surplus power to the national grid.