Scots farmland values dip as UK figures rise

The value of farmland in the United Kingdom continued to rise in the second half of 2010 but Scotland bucked that upward trend with prices north of the Border slipping by about 8 per cent.

Reacting to the figures produced by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, estate agents throughout Scotland confirmed the overall fall in market value but pointed to the continued high demand for good-quality arable farms.

Bruce Osborne of Bidwells in Perth stated: "Arable farms in Scotland continued to be in short supply and have sold well but the smaller livestock farms have proved more difficult."

Another factor affecting the Scottish market has been the disappearance of Irish buyers after several years where their presence in buying up farms has been significant.

The collapse of the Irish economy has stopped this cross-Irish Sea business and T Donald of CKD Galbraith, Ayr said the absence of Irish buyers was affecting sales of farms in the south west of Scotland.