Shoot for sale: East Benula South, Inverness-shire

Features

• South Benula Cottage (4 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms)
• Red deer stalking (10 year average 14 stags and 32 hinds)
• Right to a boat on Loch Mullardoch
• Trout and pike fishing  
• Deer larder
• About 3,439 acres in total

East Benula South is offered for sale as a whole or in two lots:

• LOT 1 East Benula South Deer Forest
• LOT 2 South Benula Cottage

Situation

East Benula South lies in splendid isolation, at the heart of some of the most wild and rugged landscape in the whole of Scotland. Only accessible by means of a 4 mile boat ride, the deer forest rises steeply from the southern shore of Loch Mullardoch to the mountain tops which form the watershed with Glen Affric to the south. The ridge forming the march with Glen Affric is over 3,00ft above sea level for the majority of its length, rising to a high point of 3,881ft at the summit of Carn Eighe, the highest point in Scotland north of the Great Glen.

Set apart from the deer forest, South Benula Cottage is situated 9 miles from the village of Cannich and is accessed by a single track public road which winds its way up through the beautiful and unspoilt scenery of Glen Cannich. Located below the Loch Mullardoch dam and overlooking Loch Sealbhanach, the cottage provides basic but comfortable accommodation for up to 8 people and forms an ideal base from which to take a boat up the loch for a day on the hill, to fish, or to explore the local area. 

Wildlife is abundant, with golden eagles regularly sighted, along with peregrines, geese, assorted divers and shell duck. A few grouse occupy the hill ground, along with ptarmigan and occasional blue hares.

Location

Cannich 9 miles  -   Beauly 26 miles  -  Inverness Airport 47 miles

The Highland village of Cannich sits at the junction of three of Scotland’s best known glens: Glen Cannich, Glen Affric and Glenurquhart, and at the confluence of River Cannich and River Affric which converge to form the River Glass. 

The village provides local amenities such as a wellstocked store and Post Office, and a local pub. The larger settlement of Beauly (25 miles) has a wider range of shops and services including two small supermarkets, a filling station, two medical practices, a bank and a choice of bars, hotels and restaurants.

Considered to be one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, Inverness (35 miles) provides good shopping and supermarkets along with excellent cultural and entertainment facilities. Inverness is well connected by road, and has good rail links to the rest of the UK including the Caledonian Sleeper service which runs between London Euston and Inverness. Inverness airport (47 miles) provides regular flights to London and other UK and European destinations.

Above all else, it is the dramatic mountains, rugged moorland, rivers and lochs for which the North West Highlands are so famous, that makes this place special. East Benula South is in the heart of this spectacular and unspoilt landscape, making it a remarkable place to simply escape. In addition to the sport on offer on the estate, the local area provides wonderful opportunities for sport and leisure, including golf, sailing, hill walking, climbing and cycling. For the field sports enthusiast, opportunities for some of Scotland’s most challenging deer stalking abound, and salmon and trout fishing is available on a number of renowned spate rivers and lochs.

Description

East Benula South is something of a rarity as a Highland estate, in that it provides fantastic opportunities for sport and amenity, while requiring remarkably little by way of day to day management or ongoing investment. The deer forest, noted for its hinds for 100 years or more, was acquired by a syndicate of four families in 1986, with the current owners having an involvement since 1994. Under the stewardship of the syndicate and latterly the current owner, the aim has been to maintain an estate which provides a complete escape from the rigours of modern life, and outstanding deer stalking in a true wilderness location.

The emphasis has been on traditional management of deer to improve the herd. Many heavy stags, with exceptionally fine heads have been seen on the ground in recent years; the policy has been not to shoot until clear signs of “going back” are observed.

Lot 1: East Benula South Deer Forest – 3,438 acres

The deer forest is only approachable by boat, with the best landing point being at Waterfall Bay in the Mullardoch narrows. Situated over looking the bay is a simple structure which occupies an idyllic spot with a stand of ancient Caledonian pine and a spectacular waterfall forming the back-drop. Constructed of three inter-connecting Portacabins, they both provide shelter and very basic accommodation in which to stay overnight. Subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents, one could replace the Portacabins with a simple timber bothy if required.

Stalking

Extending to around 3,438 acres, the ground at East Benula South is made up of steep slopes, deep corries and craggy peaks, which rise from the loch side to the high tops of Tom a’ Choinnich, An Leth-chreag, Carn Eighe and Beinn Fhionnlaidh all well over  3,400ft above sea level. These hills form a crescent shaped ridge around the southern and western fringes of the estate, on the sides of which deer will often shelter and graze. The remote nature of the land, broken terrain and swirling currents of air make for exhilarating and challenging stalking, which will test the fitness and field craft of even the most experienced stalker. Any deer successfully dispatched and returned to the larder at Mullardoch can be considered a sporting triumph. Due to the topography of the ground, interference from hill walkers during the stalking season has been very rare. On a clear day the views from the “Tops” are sensational – it being possible to clearly see the Skye Bridge to the west and the Dornoch Firth to the east through binoculars. It has on occasion been possible to pick out the Outer Hebrides, some 80 miles distant.

The approach by boat up Loch Mullardoch gives stalking parties a good opportunity to spy the lower ground, with wind direction dictating the best place to leave the boat and set off. From here it is classic West Coast stalking with a successful outing often resulting in a drag. Until quite recently, carcass extraction was done in the traditional method by stalking pony. More recently, an Argocat has been used, with one track installed from the bothy at Waterfall Bay to the south end of the ridge at Bealach na h-Eighe and another reaching high up into Corrie Buidhe to facilitate this. 

In recent years, the stalking at East Benula South has been taken by the current owner, or let to family and friends on an informal basis. A local professional stalker and boatman who has worked the waters of  Loch Mullardoch and the deer forest itself for 20 years or more is retained on a self-employed basis throughout the season. The service he provides in leading stalking parties, handling the boat and keeping an eye on matters in the owner’s absence is invaluable and he comes highly recommended. 

East Benula South is a member of Affric and Kintail Deer Management Group. Current cull targets set by the group are 15 stags and 25 hinds.

Game Larder

Situated beside the Glen Cannich public road and adjacent to Mullardoch House is a deer larder. Of timber construction with corrugated iron cladding, the larder is complete with a stainless steel sink and worktop, hanging rails and chiller unit.

Loch Mullardoch

East Benula South are entitled to a boat on Loch Mullardoch which stretches 9 miles westwards from the Mullardoch dam. Boats using the loch are launched at the north eastern corner of the Loch, accessed by road or on foot, a ten minute walk from the South Benula Cottage. Loch Mullardoch has good fishing for pike or wild Brown trout and provides endless opportunities for outings on the boat, picnics and exploration even deeper into this wonderfully remote area, extending to within 12 miles of the sea on the west coast. A number of burns feed the loch and if a practical, viable solution could be found there is potential for a profitable hydro scheme but this would require the cooperation of neighbours.

At some 2,000 feet, to the far west, nestling between Carn Eighe and Beinn Fhionnlaidh the march bisects a clear spring fed lochan which might support a population of arctic char.

Lot 2: South Benula Cottage

Situated between Loch Mullardoch and the smaller Loch Sealbhanach, South Benula Cottage is situated in a beautiful location with fine views down Glen Cannich. Of “Doran” construction with a steel profile sheeting clad extension, the bungalow offers functional but warm and comfortable accommodation for up to 8 people. With four bedrooms (including a bunk room), two bathrooms, kitchen, sitting room and conservatory over looking the loch, the cottage provides a simple and easily managed base to return to after a long day on the hill.

Adjacent to the cottage is a large, fairly recently constructed wooden shed which provides a spacious workshop, boat and argo storage, and a log store.

Offers & guide price

Guide price of £875,000 (as a whole)

Viewings

Strictly by appointment:

Call Alastair Gemmell

Savills Perth office
01738 477 520
perthshire@savills.com

Arrangements will be made to meet the person carrying out the viewing at South Benula Cottage from where the viewing will commence. Subject to weather conditions, a boat will be available to take viewers up the loch to the deer forest.