Scotland

Fears of a flooded market in terms of supply and a lack of demand following the announcement of the proposed changes to IHT at the end of 2024, resulting in a fall in projected land values across Scotland were unfounded this year. In Scotland 29,000 acres of farmland were marketed during 2025 to the end September, compared with 31,400 acres for the same period in 2024, a decrease of 8%.

A notable trend seen by Jamie Wedderspoon across Moray, Aberdeenshire & Angus is the replacement of roll-over funds with diversified farming income. “70% of offers received for farms and land marketed by Savills this year have been supported by money beyond potatoes and combinable crops. Grid Infrastructure activity in the region has also injected cash into our local market. Brunthall (200 acres) was one of the strongest sales with six offers received at the closing date. I can confidently report that the best arable land in the region is consistently making £10,000 plus per acre as a result of competitive bidding”.

There was however a marked contrast in the number of bare land sales (as opposed to equipped units) marketed by Diane Fleming in the central and south-east regions of Scotland this year. “There was intense competition for Wellrig Farm in the Scottish Borders which was offered in two lots affording a wide local audience the opportunity to expand their acreage without the necessity of funding surplus assets, such as a farmhouse or cottages, which are not at the top of many farmer’s’ shopping lists”. Equipped stock and mixed farms have however attracted interest from further afield including south of the border where scale and the consolidation of acres are the key selling points. “Lumsdaine (738 acres) near Coldingham in Berwickshire (under offer) and most recently Parkgatestone (450 acres) near Biggar, Lanarkshire and Pogbie (666 acres) near Humbie, East Lothian, both launched in September, pulled in a very satisfying number of viewers”.

“There is a sense that Scotland may be more appealing to both livestock and arable farmers as a result of devolved agricultural policy and continued subsidy support” according to Sian Houston. “However, what is more problematic is the apparent inability for a purchaser to acquire a milk contract. I see small dairy farms being absorbed by existing operators”. The exception was Garryhorn Farm (300 acres) near Maybole in South Ayrshire which is under offer to a purchaser from outside of Scotland. “Farms that sold beyond expectation were well presented by the sellers and sensibly priced from the outset. A great example was Coilsholm Farm (260 acres) which again resulted in six offers being received after a concise marketing period. Good silage ground is making on average £8,000/acre across the region”.