Backaskaill Farm, Sanday, Orkney, Orkney Islands, KW17

Backaskaill is situated in a productive area on the island of Sanday. The land ranges from sea level to 40 metres above sea level. According to the James Hutton Institute the land is primarily classified as Grades 4(2) and Grade 5(2). The land is registered with SGRPID for IACS purposes. The farm is well equipped in terms of buildings these including a farmhouse and cottage plus an extensive range of modern portal frame and traditional farm buildings.

FARMING SYSTEM
Historically, Backaskaill was farmed in conjunction with the neighbouring unit of How. Currently benefitting from the Organic Aid Scheme, Backaskaill has a carrying capacity of 100 cows and calves, 100 stirks, in addition to 150 breeding ewes. There is ample area of land for the growing of forage and cereal crops to sustain the current stocking rate. The fields adjacent to the dunes are particularly well suited for the overwintering of cattle.

The wider farming business currently benefits from a range of support payments including the Organic Aid Scheme, Basic Payment Scheme, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, Scottish Beef Calf Scheme and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme. The payments apportioned to Backaskaill are forecast to generate an income of £110,000 for the 2024 scheme year.

5* HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Both the farmhouse and cottage at Backaskaill have been renovated and equipped to a standard reflecting their outstanding location and views. Currently available to rent as 5* holiday accommodation ( both properties enjoy exceptional occupancy rates and provide a valuable income stream to the wider farming business.

BACKASKAILL FARMHOUSE
Of traditional stone construction under a slate roof. The farmhouse has been tastefully renovated and decorated to a very high standard and is currently let as 5-star holiday accommodation. The accommodation is as follows:
Ground Floor: Kitchen/Dining room, utility room, hallway & bedroom with ensuite.
First Floor: Lounge, 2 bedrooms and bathroom.
EPC F
Council Tax D
Historic Scotland Listed B

BACKASKAILL COTTAGE
Of blockwall construction with a dry harl exterior under a slate roof. The cottage is currently let as part of the wider award winning, self-catering holiday business. The accommodation comprises as follows:
Ground Floor: Lounge, Conservatory, Kitchen/Diner, Bedroom with ensuite
The farmhouse and cottage are located a stones throw from one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches which presents ample opportunities to enjoy water sports and wildlife watching.

THE LAND
The productive farm land extends to 665.34 acres and comprises the land at Backaskaill, Boloquoy and Stove. In addition there are some 25.97 acres of cliffs, fore shore, roads, yards and buildings. According to the James Hutton Institute the majority of the land is classified as Grade 4(2) and Grade 5(2). The land is in good heart having been farmed in a grass rotation, with cereal and swede breaks in recent years and is fenced and watered. The land has benefited from regular applications of dung, slurry and shell sand which has a 32.5% lime content.

FARM BUILDINGS
The farm buildings (see plan) extend to a range of traditional B Listed and modern structures as follows:

1. Utility Shed (12m x 6m)
2. Stables
3. Laundry
4. Cattle Court (66m x 4.8m) Of stone wall construction, profile roof and concrete floor
5. Yard (sheep dipper) (24m x 24m)
6. Barn (25.5m x 4.8m) Of stone wall construction, profile roof and concrete floor
7. Loose Byre (31.5m x 12m)of steel portal frame construction, corrugated roof, timber cladding, poured concrete walls and concrete floor
8. Cubicle House (30m x 30m) of steel portal frame construction, corrugated roof, profile cladding, poured concrete walls and concrete floor
9. Loose Court (48m x 12m) of steel portal frame construction, corrugated roof, profile cladding, poured concrete walls and concrete floor
10 . Silage Pits (30m x 12m and 36m x 12m) earth walls and concrete floor
11. Hen House

SITUATION
Orkney, also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago comprising about 70 islands situated some 10 miles north of the Scottish mainland. Orkney’s largest settlement and also its administrative centre is Kirkwall.

The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years, originally occupied by Mesolithic and Neolithic tribes and then by the Picts. Orkney was colonised and later annexed by the Kingdom of Norway in 875 and settled by the Norseman. In 1472 the parliament of Scotland absorbed the Earldom of Orkney into the Kingdom of Scotland following failure to pay a dowry promised to James III of Scotland by the family of his bride, Margaret of Denmark. The Norse connection with Orkney is strong with many links still in place, including the application of Udal Law.
Orkney contains some of the oldest and best preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. The heart of neolithic Orkney which includes the village of Skara Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe passage grave and the Ring of Brodgar is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Orkney also has an abundance of marine and avian wildlife.

Kirkwall boasts a large number of services including banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, libraries, sports centre and swimming pool, in addition to numerous specialist shops. The area is well resourced in terms of agricultural infrastructure being well served by general merchants, agricultural suppliers and machinery dealers, in addition to Kirkwall Mart.

The soil of Orkney is generally very fertile and most of the land is taken up with farms, agriculture being by far the most important sector of the economy. More than 90% of agricultural land is used for grazing of cattle and sheep.

Sanday is the largest of Orkneys’ outer islands and is well known for its rich, agricultural land and outstanding livestock. The island is well blessed with stunning coastal scenery, long sandy beaches and benefits from high quality convenience shopping and other amenities including primary and secondary schooling, hotels, a medical practice and a dynamic social community scene. There are excellent transport links by sea and air to the mainland.

EPC Rating = F