ONE of the largest Christmas tree farms in Scotland has had £500,000 chopped from its price after failing to sell for £3.2m.
The 250-acre site in Nairn has an astonishing 620,000 trees – more than 125,000 of which are due to be harvested for this year’s festive season.
But despite high demand for real Christmas trees – which fetch up to £70 each – the selling price has been cut to £2.7m.
Maviston Farm grows Nordmann fir trees, described as the Rolls Royce of Christmas trees because of their “fantastic” shape, colour and texture.
Previously an old farm, the land – ten times the area of Waverley Station, Edinburgh – was converted into a Christmas tree business eight years ago.
The sellers, a Danish group of Christmas tree growers, have been trying to offload the farm to consolidate their business in the south and central belt of Scotland – where they have three Christmas tree farms.
Annual harvesting is already underway at the farm, with trees being selectively cut in order to leave the remaining crop with sufficient spacing to grow and develop.
And although there is no house included on the land, sellers Savills believe “any buyer would have a strong argument with the planning authority to have one built, from which to manage the business”.
When the property went on the market in September last year Alastair Gemmell, of Savills said: “While Maviston is a specialised property it provides a great investment opportunity with an immediate income stream.
“The trees which are currently growing here have the potential to provide excellent returns in the years ahead, and there is scope for further planting.
“However, a new owner may decide to return the 250 acres to agricultural land, or to put in place alternative development plans.
“The demand for Nordmann fir trees continues to rise as they become more popular, and Maviston is well placed to benefit from this expanding market.”
