Forest on slopes of Scottish hill with fort for sale

The Herald Scotland

05-05-2025

Landfor Chartered Land and Forestry Agency said Harehope East Forest is part of a larger commercial forest complex five miles northwest of the 'picturesque market town' of Peebles in the Scottish Borders, and 21 miles south of Edinburgh.
Peebles provides all local amenities, and the area is renowned for its outdoor activities with Glentress Forest mountain bike trails nearby. Harehope Hill also has a fort site called Harehope Rings, although this is outwith the forest area for sale.
The agent said: 'The area also benefits from having excellent access to the timber processing market in south Scotland where timber values tend to be highest for standing timber crops, significantly adding value to forest investments in this part of the country.
'If travelling from Edinburgh and the north, follow the A703 road south to Edleston and turn off at the junction on to Old Manse Road, signposted Lyne via Meldons and head in a south westerly direction to reach the forest. Alternatively, if travelling from the south or west, follow the A72 to Meldon and turn north onto Old Manse Road, signposted Edleston and head north to Harehope.
'The forest was originally established between 1972 and 1973 with mainly Sitka spruce on the lower slopes of Harehope Hill, planted at an altitude of between 235 – 405 metres above sea level on free draining and fertile mineral soils.'
The agent continued: 'Thanks to the excellent timber growing conditions, much of the first rotation of the crop has been felled and restocked over the past 12 years with a high proportion (70%) of Sitka spruce and Norway spruce, creating a much more diverse age class structure which will provide excellent timber in 20 – 30+ years. The latest felling was just completed in 2023 and restocked in spring 2024.
'There remains approximately 20.56 hectares of mature Sitka spruce in three sections which has approval to be felled, providing immediate income if required.
'The ground conditions and excellent access make timber harvesting very simple in the forest and with its own quarry producing high quality broken stone, road maintenance is easily carried out.
'Several large ponds have been created within the forest for fishing, wildfowling and for wildlife habitat. These are currently let out to a fishing syndicate who stock the ponds. Woodland deer stalking is also carried out with some excellent Roe deer stalking to be enjoyed.
Harehope East's proximity to the well-established timber market in south Scotland makes it a very desirable forest investment opportunity.'
The freehold is available at offers over £1.9 million.
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