Land for sale

Reay, Thurso KW14

Strapline

Auction Sale - 24/09/2024

A unique private stone harbour with bothy and traditional net store situated in a private position in need of complete refurbishment, offering residential development opportunities, (subject to requisite consents) Approx. 3.51 Acres

Description

Sandside Harbour is an attractive harbour built in circa 1830 by Major William Innes of Sandside for both trade and fishing. The harbour is located down a private road, accessed via a metal gate and is sheltered to the West by high ground with far reaching views to the North overlooking Orkney and to the East over the Pentland Firth.

The traditional category A listed stone harbour is distinctive and has immaculate stone-built harbour walls with two l-plan piers forming a simple basin as well as a slipway from which boats may be launched. The harbour is used – on a grace and favour basis- by local small leisure boats and a few boats that are used for lobster and crab fishing.

The Net Store is also category A listed and is of traditional stone construction, set beneath a slate and metal sheet roof. The Net Store is built into the bank with west elevation and a symmetrical east façade with two ground floor doors each flanked by windows. The Bothy Flat forms the upper floor of the Net Store building located on the harbour edge and can be accessed from the west at first floor level.

The building is currently unoccupied and will require extensive upgrading. The ground floor of the Net Store building has a double height ceiling from the days when it was used for hanging out fishing nets, and access directly on to the harbourside. Subject to the appropriate planning and listed building consents this could be converted to provide further accommodation or incorporated into the Bothy Flat above to provide a spectacular single dwelling.

Location

Sandside Harbour is situated on the north coast of Scotland between John O’ Groats and Tongue, about two miles to the west of Thurso, close to the village of Reay which has grown around Sandside Bay and is situated within the historic county of Caithness. The Bay is an exposed beach break which offers good surfing conditions all year round. Ideal winds are from the south and the waves at the beach break both left and right. This is a quiet beach with few surfers.

Transport

The A9 provides excellent access by road from the south and the railway stations in Wick and Thurso offer a daily service to Inverness, from where Aberdeen, Edinburgh and the south are directly accessible. The A897 provides a shorter and more picturesque route through the Helmsdale and Halladale Straths, via Forsinard and Melvich, approaching Sandside from the west.

Accommodation

Total Site Area- Approx. 3.51 Acres