If ‘the good life’ appeals, you can find it in Sutherland, where Rod Christie of Galbraith in Inverness proposes the pristine, 937-acre Challenger estate, two miles from the Highland village of Lairg and 49 miles from Inverness.
It's a place full of potential, as Rod explains: ‘Although the main focus in recent years has been on conservation, there is significant potential to further develop the forestry, upland livestock farming, natural capital and, indeed, the residential properties on the estate’. The estate is for sale as a whole for £1.7 million.
The estate comes with superb trout fishing on Lochs Craggie and Dola, together with permanent pasture and more than 700 acres of hill grazing. The land rises to about 1,000ft above sea level at the summit of Meall Dola, with dramatic views towards the peaks of Ben Klibreck, Ben Hope and Ben More Assynt.
Some 42 acres of native woodland, primarily birch, have been managed to encourage regeneration over the past 20 years and the rest of the land offers significant woodland planting potential, the agents suggest.
The residential element of the estate is equally uncomplicated, comprising the 2,549sq ft, three-bedroom main lodge, a neat, timber-frame, 1990s building with harled block walls under a pitched slate roof.
Close by is The Bothy, a single-storey, tin-clad structure with two reception rooms, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.
Both houses are powered by a wind turbine located behind Challenger Lodge. At the westernmost point of the estate stands a modern, two-bedroom farmhouse built in 2004, which could be bought with a farm building and 9½ acres of land for £300,000, with the estate as a whole on offer at £1.7m.
Challenger Estate is currently on the market via Galbraith for £1.7 million for the whole — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Lairg: What you need to know
Location: Lairg is a village in Sutherland, Scotland, also known as the 'crossroads to the north.' It is 49 miles from Inverness and lies on the southern shores of Loch Shin. There is a railway station within the village.
Atmosphere: The village is home to a post office, hotel, primary school and village shop, with nearby Golspie and Dornoch home to further amenities and facilities.
Things to do: As with many of these large Scottish estates, the fishing, country sports, walking and general 'outdoors' lifestyle on offer is unparalleled. On the outskirts of Loch Shin, salmon leap upstream from June- September, and is said to be one of the best places to witness their migration.
Schools: Lairg Primary School is the local primary School, with Rosehall Primary School and Achfary Primary School also nearby. Golspie High is a local secondary option, as is Kinlochbervie High School.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
The capital's largest free flower festival blooms again in ChelseaChelsea In Bloom is back for its 20th year and this time round the theme is Flowers In Fashion.
-
Alan Titchmarsh and Richard Osman will headline this year’s Queen’s Reading Room Festival at ChatsworthDame Jilly Cooper, the author of the Rutshire Chronicles, and Helen Fielding, who penned the Bridget Jones books, will also be attending the two day event hosted by The Queen’s charity at the Grade I listed house and gardens.
-
A home of horticultural and architectural grandeur for sale near BanburyReception and bedrooms on the inside, garden rooms by Lanning Roper on the outside.
-
22 charming country homes for sale, from £500k to £3m, as seen in Country LifeOur regular look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life includes everything from thatched cottages in the West Country to sprawling estates.
-
An effortlessly contemporary home in Surrey for quiet contemplationGraylings in the Surrey Hills was designed by Baufritz and is a delight of modern design.
-
Curiosity abounds in Kent at Flimwell Grange, where an old brandy vat is now a pool houseThis period delight is full of curious treasures, and offers outstanding views of the Garden of England.
-
London is a happy city, but not the happiest city, according to new researchIt is, however, a very romantic city, according to different research. So that's good.
-
Swim above the competition in London's highest outdoor poolThe new Shard Place development is the latest amenity-filled addition to the Shard Quarter
-
Business at the front, party at the rear: Ravensbury Lodge in Devon, a four-bed conversion on the market with stunning views of the River DartThe house in Warfleet, Dartmouth, is a waterside property with a twist — and its contrasting architectural elements are a delightful surprise.
-
Laverstoke Park, the iconic home of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter, roars onto the marketThe benchmark for the sale of the year has been set.
