An estate with lyricist Sir Tim Rice as a neighbour has been put on the market at over #1.7m.

Eilean Darach estate, near Ullapool, borders Dundonnell which Sir Tim bought two years ago for more than #2m.

The two estates once formed one estate owned by Kenneth Mackenzie, who died young in 1835. Eilean Darach was subsequently sold to clear his debts.

Eilean Darach, which extends to 6000 acres, is now being offered by estate agents Knight Frank in total - or as three lots.

The estate has fertile parkland and a rugged mountain range including An Teallach - one of the most famous mountains in Britain - which rises to around 3500ft and dominates the horizon to the south and east of Little Loch Broom.

Eilean Darach also offers deer stalking and salmon and sea trout fishing on part of the Dundonnell River - where 13,5000 salmon fry were put into the river last year - and the whole six miles of the Gruinard River.

The estate's seven-bedroom lodge is set in gardens planted in the 1920s.

Eilean Darach has been owned by the same family for nearly 70 years and is now being sold by a trust following the death of the owner - who has not been named - earlier this year.

''We have had tremendous interest from both the UK and abroad already.

''Eilean Darach is one of the most desirable estates in the highlands,'' said Mr Colin Strang Steel for estate agents Knight Frank.