A spectacular west coast sporting estate is now for sale, in two lots.
Presented for sale by Savills, Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate in Strathcarron, Ross-Shire, offer exciting sport amidst one of Scotland’s areas of true wilderness.
Extending to 3,983 acres in total, the Estate runs from the tidal shore of Upper Loch Torridon to the summit of Beinn Shieldaig and southwards along the ridgeline before descending to the southern point of Loch Damph.
Balgy Lodge sits at the northern end of the Estate, with an outlook over Loch Torridon and a short walk from the shoreline and the fishings on the River Balgy. It is also very conveniently placed for outings to Loch Damph and excursions to the hill.
There is outline planning permission for the conversion and extension of a former estate bothy to create a second house. This could serve as a principal lodge for Lot 2 if the land to the south of the road was purchased separately.
Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate is offered for sale as a whole or in two lots:
Lot 1 is Balgy Lodge set in 101 acres. Lot 2 is the Ben Shieldaig Estate, in 3886 acres.
Balgy Lodge was constructed in 1991 in the most picturesque and tranquil of settings overlooking Loch Torridon and the lower reaches of the River Balgy.
The magnificent views from the house are principally northwards across the loch to the rugged mountains beyond.
This contemporary seven bedroom house is constructed in a period style in keeping with the locality with whitewashed walls beneath a pitched slate roof. Built in a T-shaped plan the internal layout offers a combination of practicality for country life, and ample space for entertaining and accommodating guests, while also maximising the spectacular views and natural light.
To the rear of the Lodge is a spacious gravel sweep with ample room to park a number of cars. The grounds surrounding the lodge are mainly down to lawn and are interspersed with young trees which will provide increasing shelter and privacy as they mature. Beyond the mown lawn, the garden leads naturally into the remaining grounds which make up the 101 acres of land included with Lot 1.
The wooded shoreline with its small private bays and rocky outcrops greatly contributes to the overall setting. There are the remains of two stone shielings near the mouth of the river which sit in the most spectacular waterside setting out of sight from the lodge.
Outline planning permission has been granted for rebuilding these ruins to create a bothy and a boat house.
The salmon fishings with Lot 1 comprise the west bank of the River Balgy from the river mouth to the Balgy Bridge (0.3 miles) and for those looking for fishing on their doorstep, the Weir Pool and Black Pool are situated a short walk away and within clear sight of the lodge.
Lot 2 is the Ben Shieldaig Estate.
Balgy Bothy, the former estate bothy, is located to the south of the public road with views down to the River Balgy and good access along a short hard track. Outline planning permission has been granted to convert this traditional stone and slate building into a five bedroom house. This proposed dwelling would be serviced by a private water supply situated nearby, a wind turbine or generator for electricity and a private drainage system.
The high ridge of Beinn Shieldaig forms a spectacular massif running the length of the hill, dropping away sharply to the rocky shores of Beinn Damph to the east and the lower reaches of Glen Shieldaig to the west. The topography is particularly steep on the cliff like features on the north and west faces of Beinn Shieldaig.
A number of impressive corries have been carved into the eastern side of the massif, which combined with the steep terrain and broken ground makes for exhilarating deer stalking amidst some of Highland Scotland’s finest scenery.
The five year average is six stags and eight hinds and the estate falls within the South West Ross Deer Management Group and is an active member. A five year Deer Management Plan for the Estate was written in 2015.
Short, fast flowing and running through magnificent scenery, the Balgy forms a west coast spate river with a difference, providing fantastic fishing for salmon and sea trout. Unlike many spate rivers the spate continues for some days because the water is held back by the narrow neck of Loch Damph. The stretch of river included with Lot 2 tumbles through nine named pools over a distance of about a mile and a quarter up stream of the Balgy Bridge.
The Estate has single bank fishing over the River Balgy and being a small river, there is an informal reciprocal arrangement with the owner of the fishing on the far bank.
With the hills of Ben Shieldaig and Ben Damph rising steeply from the water’s edge, Loch Damph lies within a spectacular natural amphitheatre and offers traditional Scottish loch fishing for brown trout at its very best. Whilst other hill lochs may match Loch Damph for the plentiful quantity of smaller trout, it is the opportunity to catch wild brown trout of vast proportions that draws anglers to this Loch, with a record brown trout of 19lbs caught in recent years, and fish of over 10lbs caught most seasons.
Fished from the shore or by boat, the trout fishing provides great sport throughout the summer, with May being the favoured month for landing one of the loch’s specimen trout.
The Estate is permitted to fish Loch Damph from two boats which are kept in a boathouse within a magical and secluded bay complete with sandy beach at the south end of the loch.
There are two particularly attractive and significant areas of native woodland on Ben Shieldaig. To the north, Mheallaidh Wood forms an extensive area of upland woodland made up of downy birch with sessile oak, rowan and scattered pines on the slopes of Sron an Fhithich.
On the west face of the massif above Loch Dughaill is a large area of Caledonian pine. Of the distinctive Wester Ross type, an area remnant of the ice-age some 8,000 years ago, this is considered to be the most westerly area of Caledonian pine in Europe. Both woodland sites have been designated within the Shieldaig Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest
Balgy Lodge and Ben Shieldaig Estate is situated amongst some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Scotland. It lies on the southern shores of Upper Loch Torridon, a sea loch surrounded by the steep rocky Torridon Hills including Beinn Shieldaig (1,751 ft), Beinn Damph (2,957 ft), Liathach (3,456 ft) and Beinn Alligin (3,232 ft).
Below the peaks are heather clad hills dotted by freshwater lochans and the coastline is made up of shingle bays tucked into sheltered coves rich with wildlife and birdlife. It is one of the last truly natural and unspoilt places left in Britain and part of a designated National Scenic Area.
The nearby village of Shieldaig, three miles to the west, is regarded by many to be one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland and has a number of local amenities, including a primary school, village hall, post office and a hotel with two acclaimed restaurants serving local seafood. It sits on the edge of Loch Shieldaig, an offshoot between Loch Torridon and Upper Loch Torridon. The village was founded in 1800.
Its purpose was to attract families to take up fishing for a living; and, in the process, to help build up a stock of trained seamen for war against Napoleon. After his defeat, the community found itself a new role as a fishing village.
Scotland’s west coast is renowned for the quality of its sailing, and Upper Loch Torridon is an ideal base with a safe anchorage in the bay.
The long summer days and the warm current of the Gulf Stream ensure the seawaters are a rich feeding ground for fish. There is plenty to be caught by anglers of all abilities, both just offshore and further afield, where mackerel, cod, pollock, coalfish and ling can be found. There are also lobsters, crabs and langoustines off the coast. Porpoises, dolphins, otters, gannets and divers are regularly seen in the waters.
For more details on Balgy Lodge, click HERE.
The agents will consider offers over £950,000.
For more details on Lot 2, the Ben Shieldaig Estate, click HERE.
The agents will consider offers over £800,000.
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