ESTATES IN SCOTLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1563, 30 September 1886, Page 3

ESTATES IN SCOTLAND.

Ma'f a dozen estates situated in the north of Scotland were offered for sale in London lately. Offers were made for all of them, but not one changed owners. The reason was that in every instance the price bidden came considerably short of thirty years’ purchase, and thus fell under the reserve which was assigned to the auctioneer. The most valuable property put forward was the Aberdeenshire possession of the Lari of Crawford and Balcarres, who has recently acquired an estate in Fifeshire, which had long belonged to the family, Sir Coutts Lindsay being the last possessor, Dunecht is a beautiful place, much improved of late, with a, rental of £fiooo, and a spacious mansion house built from designs by the late Mr Street, the architect of the new Law Courts in London. £170,000 was the highest sum offered. Less proportionately was bidden for estates in Argyleshire and in Perthshire, and for tiie Island of Rum in Invernesshire, which once belonged to old Lord Salisbury, It is interesting to note that, wherever on‘ these Highland properties it could be done, it was specified as a recommendation that there were neither crofters nor cottars on the property. This inducement failed to attract purchasers. Nor is this to be wondered at, when the low ; euts for such sporting estates as want tenants am taken into account. Obviously a change is coming over the condition of the Highlands.