Charity to sell abandoned buildings on Argyll estate

Barrahormid Trust, which was established in 2023 to protect and restore natural habitats on its 2000-acre estate and to encourage repopulation of its abandoned settlements, received planning permission in principle from Argyll and Bute Council in March 2026. It is now inviting expressions of interest from prospective buyers.

The eight properties span three distinct settlements - Drimnagall/Barbae, Lower Fernoch and Upper Fernoch - and range from traditional two-bedroom cottages to larger farmhouses with the potential for four bedrooms. All require complete refurbishment, and buyers will be responsible for a share of the costs of upgrading access tracks and installing new water, sewage and electricity infrastructure at each settlement.

Properties will be offered at affordable prices, with priority given to buyers who can demonstrate a housing need, have local connections, are aligned with the Trust’s environmental restoration objectives, or wish to develop a rural enterprise. The Trust also hopes to make available a small area of land for those who want to develop a rural enterprise.

All eight homes will be subject to rural housing burdens, meaning they cannot be used as second homes or holiday lets - a condition that will apply to all future owners.

The news has been welcomed locally. Martin Mellor of the Tayvallich Initiative said: “Great news that the Barrahormid Trust have been successful in being awarded planning permission in principle as an initial step towards bringing buildings - some of which have been lived in within recent memory — back to residential use. A great opportunity for those wishing to build themselves a livelihood in Mid Argyll.”

The Barrahormid Estate is a designated habitat for rare and protected species, including the marsh fritillary butterfly, otters and dragonflies, and holds four Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Trust is working with Highlands Rewilding, who manage the estate for nature restoration and community prosperity, to extend pockets of Celtic temperate rainforest and plant native trees across the peninsula.

Ewan Paterson, Tayvallich and Barrahormid estates manager, also welcomed the development: “My family have lived and worked on the estate for around 20 years and have often been contacted by people wanting the opportunity to move to this amazing place but with the lack of housing it would be extremely rare for a home to ever be available.

“Barrahormaid Trust’s successful planning application will hopefully give people this opportunity to move to the area, which would be fantastic for the local community school and job opportunities.”

Full details of each property are available on the Barrahormid Trust website. Those wishing to register interest should contact the Trust at info@barrahormidtrust.org.