Combining a beautifully renovated former Ferryman’s cottage, a superb site with planning consent for the development of a new lodge and two peacefully situated and productive beats of salmon fishings, the subjects of sale are more fully described as follows:

Lot 1 - The Upper Netherdale Salmon Fishings, Beat 1 - About 25.40 acres

Beat 1 of The Upper Netherdale Fishings comprises about 1.44km of double bank and 444m of single bank salmon and sea trout fishings.

Flowing through an area of mixed farmland with splendid views, the upper half of the beat flows broadly from north to south, whilst the lower half of the beat flows from west to east after a 90-degree bend in the river at the productive Lower Kemlin pool.

There are 11 named pools which vary in character from deep pots such as Upper Kemlin holding ‘resident’ salmon throughout the season to fast runs such as Chapelton and Doctor’s which are favoured by running grilse in high summer.

The beat is fishable by fly in all conditions other than a flood when spinning is advised. In common with Beat 2, there have been substantial works carried out to improve the pools by consolidating the riverbank and generally improving the scope of the fishing on the beat. This has included repair and replacement of stone groynes, improvement and extension of the existing access and the construction of new access tracks, and the construction of an excellent fishing hut.

At present, the Beat is fished as a four-rod beat in rotation with Beat 2 and the independently owned Carnousie beat a few miles downstream. Access to the beat is over a track leading west from the minor public road past Chapeltown Farm to terminate at the fishing hut overlooking Donald’s Glide pool. This track is passable in a two-wheel drive vehicle and is fenced to prevent livestock encroachment.

There is vehicular access to two riverside car parks and pedestrian access to each of the pools with a mown path following the riverbank from each car park. The fishing hut serving the beat occupies an elevated setting above the level of winter floods and is of timber construction with a pitched galvanised tin roof, covered veranda and wood-burning stove.

The beat has a 9-year average (2006 to 2014) of 64 salmon/grilse and a 5-year average of 54 salmon/grilse.

This property has 72 acres of land.

Situation

Ferry Cottage and the Upper Netherdale Salmon Fishings are situated 47 miles northwest of Aberdeen and about 8 miles southwest of Turriff. This part of Aberdeenshire is known as Deveronvale and is characterised by an agricultural landscape of mixed arable, beef and sheep farming, low ground sporting and a combination of attractive amenity woodland and blocks of commercial forestry.

Aberdeenshire is a county of contrasting landscapes; the northern fringe of the Grampian mountains with heather-clad hills including well-known grouse moors such as Edinglassie, the Cabrach (at the source of the Deveron) and Candacraig lies to the southwest of Upper Netherdale whilst the North Sea coast with its quaint fishing ports, high cliffs and pebble beaches is 15 miles to the north.

With the sobriquet of The Granite City, Aberdeen is both an economic and educational centre boasting two universities and further educational colleges and research institutes. There are a number of private schools in Aberdeen including Robert Gordon’s College, Albyn School for Girls, St Margaret’s School for Girls and The Hamilton School. The Exhibition and Conference Centre, His Majesty’s Theatre, and various art galleries in the city are renowned.

Turriff is the local town serving this part of the Deveron valley and has a population of around 4,700. There is a selection of shops (including a good fishing tackle shop), primary and secondary schooling, hotels, garages, a supermarket, medical centre and a sports centre. The area is the centre of a thriving rural community and hosts a popular annual agricultural show.

Further services are available in Huntly (13 miles) to the southwest.

Directions

From Aberdeen and Inverness, follow the A96 towards Huntly. On the east side of Huntly, take the A97 signposted to Aberchirder. Follow this road for about 5 miles until crossing the River Deveron at Bridge of Marnoch. After crossing the river, take the first right on to a minor public road. Follow this road in an easterly direction for about 2 miles until reaching a T-junction. Turn right here and follow the road for another 1½ miles to Cobblehouse Farm. At the end of the public road, the access tracks to both beats of Fishing and Ferry Cottage are signposted.