Ayton Hill Forest

Location 

Ayton Hill Forest is situated in a highly accessible and scenic part of Perthshire, Scotland. Benefiting from a favourable climate and fertile growing conditions, along with excellent access to timber markets in central and southern Scotland, the region consistently produces high-quality timber crops that maximise capital growth and investment returns.

The village of Abernethy lies approximately 1 mile to the northeast, while the city of Perth, offering a comprehensive range of amenities with access to the M90 motorway, lies just 7 miles to the north of the property.

Description

The forest has significant potential for an investor, given its central location and diverse age profile, with the opportunity for immediate income from its maturing timber crop of high-yielding Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, planted between 1992 and 1993. Furthermore, younger crops were planted in 2012 and 2024, which have increased the productive timber growing area to 88.55 hectares with a weighted average crop age of 32 years.

Situated between 95–262 metres above sea level, the property benefits from free-draining mineral soils and a favourable growing climate, supporting high-quality timber production. Line and selective thinning have been carried out in the past which has enhanced the maturing crops standing volume and quality. Harvesting of this is scheduled to take place over three phases within the next 15 years, which is expected to produce in excess of 30,000 tonnes, providing significant tax-free income.

The younger productive crops, extending to approximately 32.40 hectares, are dominated by high-yielding Sitka spruce (c.70%), which are establishing well and are expected to achieve yield class rates of more than 24 m³/ha/yr. In 2024 5.83 hectares of mainly Sitka spruce (c.70%) was planted with the aid of a Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) Contract to provide grant income to establish this young crop. Further maintenance work has been carried out this spring, including enrichment planting.

The forest is served by approximately 3.6 km of high-quality internal forest roads, providing efficient access for forest management and harvesting operations. In addition, a ready supply of stone is available in various locations within the forest for ongoing road maintenance.

Ayton Hill also contains an attractive mix of broadleaves planted at various stages from 1930 through to 2024, contributing to the significant species diversity and amenity value within the forest. There is also potential to establish more woodland on the slopes of Binn Hill, above the existing conifer.

For more details please refer to the online Sale Brochure or contact the Selling Agents.