'Historic' private harbour in Scottish Highlands to be sold in auction

Now it will go under the hammer at Savills Auctions later this month on September 25. The harbour is located down a private road so the public don’t have access to it, with views overlooking Orkney to the north and over Pentland Firth to the east.

It is more than four acres in size and is used regularly on a grace and favour basis by local small leisure boats and a few who use it for lobster and crab fishing.

The A listed stone harbour is described as ‘distinctive’ while having ‘immaculate’ stone-built harbour walls.

Sandside Harbour (Image: Savills)

The net store is also A listed and is of traditional stone construction. A Bothy Flat forms the upper floor of the building.

The building is currently unoccupied and needs extensive work to upgrade it and subject to planning permission, they could be converted to provide further accommodation.

Robin Howeson, the head of Savills Auctions, admits it’s a rare opportunity and they expect interest to come from developers and private buyers due to the history of the harbour.

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He said: “It’s not every day that a private harbour comes up for sale at auction and we are delighted to be bringing this rarely available asset to the market. Sandside Harbour is a private stone harbour situated on the north coast of Scotland and comes to the auction market with a guide price of £45,000. 

“Built in 1830 the lot comprises 4.77 acres, an immaculate stone-built harbour wall, a traditional net shore and a bothy that offers residential development opportunities, subject to the appropriate planning and listed building consents.

“Used on a grace and favour basis by local small boats that are used for lobster and crab fishing, a buyer could see themselves becoming part of the local community. With pricing tailored to attract a suitable buyer, I’d expect interest to come largely from developers or private buyers looking to invest into this historic harbour.”