Dale & Dyke, Evie, Orkney -An Extensive Working Dairy Unit

This is a unique opportunity to purchase a working dairy unit in the parish of Evie, on Orkney’s West Mainland. The farm consists of 3 adjacent units known as Dale, Dyke and Orquil, which extend in totalto some 283.71 acres of good arable land, with the exception of approximately 8 acres of rough grazing.

All fields are watered by either burn or mains water.

The farm has a ring fenced milk quota of 874639 litres.

The farm has an extensive range of buildings suitable for the cow herd and followers maintained on the unit.

The farm has 2 domestic dwellings – a substantial stone built, 4 bedroomed, 2 storey house at Dale, and a stone built 3 bedroomed bungalow, with double garage and greenhouse, at Dyke.

The local primary school in Evie, which is only ½ mile from the farm, has an excellent reputation, and secondary education is provided for older children at Stromness Academy, approximately 15 miles away. (School transport provided by Orkney Islands Council)

The farm is offered for sale as one, although separate offers are welcome for 2 units - Dale – 150.1 acres - and Dyke/Orquil. – 133.61 acres -(Please see maps for breakdown of land parcels)

The vendor reserves the right to conclude the sale at any time.

STEADING AND HOUSE – DYKE, along with 133.61 acres approximately

The steading at Dyke consists of – Barley shed – 45` x 75`` (14` high); Loose court – 45` x 75` (14` high); Lean-to 32` x 75`; Straw/Implement shed – 45` x 65` (15` high); General purpose shed – 80` x 35` (14` high); Bedded court – 15` x 75` (12` high); Slurry lagoon – 200,000 gallons; Range of old traditional buildings.

The steading at Dyke

The house at Dyke, which was completely renovated in 2007, is stone built of late 19th century construction. An extension comprising of a sitting room, bathroom and sizeable hallway has been added at a later date. The house has a Welsh slate roof, double glazed windows, and was re-insulated in 2011. The sitting room has a natural stone fire-place.

Room sizes (Approx) -Kitchen – 12` x 15`Office – 11` x 8`Bedroom – 11` x 8`Bedroom – 14` x 16`Bathroom – 6` x 7` (Toilet, shower/bath and basin)Hallway – 7` x 9`

The kitchen at Dyke The sitting room at Dyke

STEADING AND HOUSE – DALE, along with 150.1 acres approximately

The steading at Dale houses the “dairy”, which consists of a 10/10 Alpha Laval Herringbone Parlour with udder wash and udder spray units, a milk pre-cooler system, 2 Alpha bulk milk storage tanks, one 3000 litres, the other 1800 litres, with automatic tank washers and associated compressors.

The main sheds have a variety of roofs, but predominately asbestos sheet on a portal frame and trussed roof structures.

A concrete block redundant silo has been converted to house 2 groups of cows with a central feed passage, giving easy access for the feeder wagon.

A lean-to (Corrugated iron sheets on poles) houses a further group of milking cows, again with feeder wagon access.

All of the sheds are on the same level, with automatic scrapers to all areas.

A straw bedded pen is formed from a pre-cast silo that has been roofed in and deep bedded. This provides accommodation for the group of dry cows nearest to calving.

A small lean-to provides straw bedded group housing for weaned calves, before moving on to cubicles, and also accommodates a flood lit calving pen.

Individual calf pens are situated in a well-ventilated stone built barn, completely separate from any of the other buildings. An emergency 30KVA generator is situated in the barn which is driven by tractor PTO.

Slurry – 50,000 gallon tank with slats inside a steel portal frame shed.

The steading at Dale The milking parlour

Shed at Dale Inside building

DALE FARMHOUSEThe house at Dale is a stone built 2 storey house of the late 19th century with a Welsh slate roof. The sitting room has a wood burning stove while the kitchen is equipped with an oil fired cooking range which also heats the central heating radiators. The domestic water heater has an electric immersion heater as back-up. The house was completely rewired in 2008.

Room sizes (Approx)

Downstairs – Utility space/Entrance hall – 10` x 11`Kitchen – 13` x 12``Dining room – 10` x 11`Sitting room – 12` x 13`Office – 10` x 7`

Upstairs - Bathroom – 12` x 8`Bedroom – 12` x 11`Bedroom – 12` x 12`Bedroom – 10` x 11`Bedroom – 11` x 10`Stairwell and landing

The house has a 28` x 19` garage, which was erected in 2012, with separate entrance, concrete drive and turning area and some small outbuildings suitable for storage.

The farmhouse The garden

Sitting room at Dale Kitchen at Dale

THE STOCK At present, the holdings of Dale and Dyke are being run together, with a herd of 125 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, a beef herd and a sheep flock. All stock will be available, if required, at valuation.

CROPS AND FODDERThe 1st cut of silage was made in June, with the 2nd planned for mid August. The silage is stored in 2 open pits at Orquil, each having holding capacity for 900 tonnes. The silage in these pits will be made available to the purchaser, although the actual pits are not to be sold, as the vendor intends to keep the house and surrounding area at Orquil, for his own use. (Purchasers may be allowed use of the pits, as long as the vendor owns the property.

There are, at present, 40 acres of growing Spring barley.

The pit silage, any wrapped silage bales and the growing barley crop must be taken over by the purchaser at valuation of S.A.C./Orkney Auction Mart.

Any fertilizer and feed stuffs remaining, at time of purchase, will be available at cost price.

The Single Farm Payment may be available by separate negotiation.

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these particulars, they are not guaranteed or warranted in any way, nor will they give rise to action in law.

In particular it should be noted that all measurements are approximate.

Prospective purchasers are recommended to view the subjects personally.

Interested parties should direct any enquiries/offers to the selling agents – Orkney Auction Mart Ltd. Viewing of the property will be by appointment only - For an appointment to view, or for further information, contact Orkney Auction Mart – (01856) 872520.