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48.5 acres, Woodland for Sale Shinside Wood, Lairg, Sutherland, Highlands and Islands
For Sale - £180,000

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Shinside Wood lies on sloping ground with a southwesterly aspect overlooking the waters of Loch Shin. It was planted along with the substantial adjacent Overscraig Plantations in 1989 and has grown well since. It is now approaching production phase and has the promise of healthy volumes of quality timber in the next 5-10 years.

The wood is dominated by Sitka spruce which is well suited to these conditions and which shows good clean form. The spruce was variously planted in mixture with nurse species (Japanese larch and lodgepole pine) which have both done a good job of sheltering and maintaining the quality of the more valuable spruce crop. An approximate summary of crop areas is below:

Species Area (acres)
Sitka spruce/lodgepole pine mix 25.6
Sitka spruce/Japanese larch mix 13.3
Open ground 11.92
Total 50.82

The perimeter fence is in surprisingly good condition but over the years small breaches have allowed both red and sika deer to enter the plantation. While this is of no consequence to the mature trees it could provide some entertaining and challenging woodland stalking.

A number of small streams run through the wood and there are occasional groups of broadleaves (principally birch) on some of the stream-sides and within broader rides.

The wonderfully wild location also holds the promise of off-grid recreation including the possibility of a woodland hut (subject to the necessary consents), while the surrounding lochs and rivers offer plenty of scope for the angler subject to obtaining the necessary permits.

If It Were Mine
The wood has significant volumes of timber – the stems appear stable so I would look to optimise tax-free timber income as and when timber markets look healthy. The adjacent public road is recognised as being key for transporting timber to market, but consultation is required with the local authority to agree volumes and timings.

I would also explore the possibility of a woodland hut, perhaps through the Thousand Huts initiative (www.thousandhuts.org/aboutus).

Please remember some management operations require approval and/or a licence.