The Whitefords are one of the most well-known and respected farming families in the Highlands.
Brothers Stewart, Jim, Alan and David recently took the decision to retire and their farms near Tain, in Easter Ross, are currently up for sale. Selling agent Strutt and Parker has described the farms – Shandwick Mains, Wester Rarichie and Castlecraig – as a “highly prized and rare portfolio of coastal, arable and livestock farms in one of Scotland’s prime farming areas”.
But for Stewart and his brothers, the farms in the Fearn Peninsula have been described as “home” by the family for nearly 70 years.
“Our parents, John and Betty Whiteford, moved up in 1950, the year they got married, and took over the tenancy of Shandwick Mains,” said Stewart.
“In 1973, they took over the tenancy of Wester Rarichie from the same landlord. We then bought Castlecraig in 1986 and subsequently bought the rented farms in 1992.”
Extending to 2,397 acres, the farms are offered for sale as a whole, as three individual farms, or 13 sub-lots. The current farming enterprise includes 300 suckler cows plus followers, 1,400 breeding ewes, a 350-sow indoor pig unit, and arable crops.
The four brothers recall many fond memories from their time at the farms and their involvement with the wider farming industry.
“Our family has been farming in Easter Ross for almost 70 years and there have been many highlights and memorable moments, from the original purchase of the farms to winning numerous malting barley, growing crop, prime and store livestock prizes,” said Stewart who is a past vice-president of NFU Scotland and former chairman of NHS Highland Acute Hospitals Trust.
“It has been an honour and privilege to live, work and raise families in such a vibrant community in this beautiful and productive area of Scotland, amongst some of the most leading edge, co-operative farmers you could find anywhere.”
Stewart’s brothers have also held various posts in industry and the local community: Jim is the immediate past Highland region chairman for NFU Scotland, and past chairman of Highland Grain, where he currently serves as a director; Alan is also a past chairman of Highland Grain, Ross and Cromarty Enterprise and Cromarty Firth Port Authority, as well as current chairman of Nigg Old Trust; and David is chairman of both the North Highland Initiative and Scotland’s Food and Drink Hub, as well as a former director and owner of Scottish Food Quality Certification.
When asked if they had any advice for prospective buyers, the family said the strength of the combined units was the benefit of a mix of arable crops, suckler cows, sheep, pigs and quarrying.
“By being actively involved in various co-operatives and marketing groups as well as an innovative and pro-active local auction mart, we’ve been able to add value to our products and enhance profitability,” said Stewart.
“The scope for improvement will also hinge on how intensively the buyer chooses to farm these already naturally productive units. Additionally, the effects of the Gulf Stream mean the Moray Firth area has a highly favourable micro-climate which would lend itself well to introducing new crops to the area such as soft fruit and vegetables.”
The four brothers say they are looking forward to retirement and having more time to spend with family. “We are all looking forward to spending more time with our families; some of whom are local while others are spread far and wide,” said Stewart.
“We are also planning to travel as well as indulging and improving upon our hobbies and pastimes – perhaps our golf handicaps will go down and we might start to serve some more aces on the tennis court.”
Farms overview
Shandwick Mains is described as an “exceptional arable farm” with premium quality, mainly grade 2, land extending to 370 acres. It includes a four-bedroom farmhouse, steading and grain store.
Wester Rarichie is a large arable and stock farm extending to 1,094 acres. It comes with a five-bedroom farmhouse, two cottages, and part of the land includes a 360-degree outlook across the Dornoch Firth, Moray Firth and Nigg Bay.
Castlecraig is an arable and livestock-rearing farm stretching across 933 acres. It includes a 350-sow indoor pig unit, forestry and a sandstone quarry. It also offers a seven-bedroom period home and two cottages.
It encompasses the North Sutor – one of two opposing headlands marking the entrance to the Cromarty Firth – and still carries remains of several former military buildings from World War I. The Whitefords said they have held discussions with a travel and leisure company and there is the potential to develop themed tourist accommodation and a visitor centre on the site, which is near the North Coast 500 route.
The entitlements to the Basic Payment Scheme are included in the sale. More information is available from Strutt and Parker’s Edinburgh office on 0131 516 5783.
