Breakough and Mid Kirkton Farms — Breakough and Mid Kirkton Farms

SITUATION The farms known as Breakough and Mid Kirkton are situated on the island of Great Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, off the west coast of Scotland. The island is within the region of North Ayrshire, an area renowned for its rural landscape with farming, forestry and tourism making up a significant proportion of the local economy. The island is roughly 4 miles long and 2 miles wide and is reached via a short (under 15 minutes) ferry trip from Largs, meaning it is often referred to as Scotland’s most accessible island. The farms are located on the edge of the town of Milllport, on the southwest coast of the island. Millport is the only town on the island and is located less than 3 miles from the ferry terminal linking the island to Largs on the mainland. The town benefits from a butchers, newsagents, local shop, a medical practice, a pharmacy and primary school. Children travel to Largs for secondary schooling. The west coast of Scotland is well known for its mild climate, attractive unspoilt countryside and the diversity of its recreational facilities and field sports including shooting and stalking as well as trout and salmon fishing on numerous rivers and lochs. The island provides a wide variety of beaches, coastal paths and beautiful walks as well as an 18 hole golf course at Millport. DESCRIPTION The vendors have occupied Breakough Farm since the 1950s, adding Mid Kirkton at a later date and acquiring both the farms in 2000 from The Mount Stewart Trust. The farms are run as one holding have historically carried up to 100 suckler cows plus sheep, across approximately 530 acres (214.8 hectares) of farmland which is capable of a mixture of arable cropping and pasture interspersed with woodlands providing shelterbelts and amenity. The two farms stretch from north to south and are divided by the public roads in and out of Millport. The land rises from 8 metres, on the southern boundary, to 110 metres, above sea level. It is gently undulating from the rugged coa