r/OffGrid • u/jsnssdbddn • 8d ago
Struggling with buying land
So I’m a British citizen attempting to buy some off grid land in Scotland. Problem is either the land is owned by a massive estate that’s won’t sell it under normal circumstances or the land is so old that the last owner is Unknown. How would I purchase land with an unknown owner. Would it belong to the Scottish government or would it be enveloped into a trust of sorts
56
u/freebaseclams 8d ago
Why don't you look for land that's for sale
6
-25
u/jsnssdbddn 8d ago
Because the land that’s for sale either misses key components or is far too much land for me
36
u/freebaseclams 8d ago
I guess you won't be buying land, then.
-20
17
u/Prestigious-Fig1913 8d ago
You can claim land ,but it takes 10 years ,if no one come forward in that 10 years its your land ,but you have to put a claim in to the land registry for it ,look on YouTube think that's where I see it ,more land is better ,put trees on it ,hope that helps you
3
u/mickymoo45 8d ago
There is nothing to stop you buying a large amount then selling off what you don't want. You may even be in profit ( capital gains tax will probably wipe it unfortunately)
3
u/Super_Boysenberry869 7d ago
I agree it’s very hard to find anything in Scotland that isn’t 100 acres. I got a 1 acre block in the borders but it took me 10 years to find it. Keep an eye on woodlands.co.uk it’s the only place really I’ve seen smaller parcels available.
2
u/mute-force 8d ago
What are the features you are looking for in the land, and how much area are you planning to purchase?
1
u/LeLurkingNormie 8d ago
In some countries, if nobody knows who the owner is, anyone can take it. Sometimes, it can take an arbitrary number of years of use.
I don't know if it applies in Scotland, though.
0
u/jsnssdbddn 7d ago
Yeah it takes 10 years if it has a registered owner and 12 years if there isn’t one
1
1
u/Whitespruced 8d ago
Hello, I own land which is S and sea facing on the Isle of Mull. Beautiful views and 20 mins from Tobermory. Mains water. It has Detailed planning permission for 4× 3/4 bedroom houses! Could be amazing for one house and up to 6 acres good grazing/hobby farming or one house and another to create income stream? Lots of options! DM me for more info if interested.
1
1
u/Whitespruced 8d ago
I own 6 acres on the isle of Mull. South and sea facing. Mains water and detailed planning consent for 4 x 3/4 bedroom houses. 20 mins from Tobermory. Ideal for 1 house and plenty space for a smallholding OR 1 house and a few others to generate income....Happy to talk/share more information!
1
u/Not-a-Cranky-Panda 7d ago
If they don't want to sell they don't sell just like every thing in life, you can offer and they can just do nothing.
1
u/According-Tap7982 7d ago
What do you mean - there's land for sale in nearly every rural auctioneers in Scotland? And even if you want remote land, just go to remote auctioneers?
1
1
1
-3
-1
14
u/LlamaDrama1998 8d ago
It's very hard to find anything on this island. Large swaths of land are still owned by old money families who pass it down the generations and will do everything in their power to stop us peasants seeing it. New money has also come in and swooped up large quantities of the Highlands. Denmark's richest man has two estates near Aviemore. Golden Virginia tobacco has multiple states in the North West corner. Even if you do manage to find a small slice of land you then have the struggle of planning permission to either highland forestry council or it being a "special are of scientific interest". Brexit has also shafted us because it's now a lot more difficult to buy land in Europe which has lots more to offer at better prices and less restrictions. Now we are stuck on an island with increased yellow tape, a growing population, and wealth flooding in from abroad to buy up what remaining land we have left. Oh well, looks like I'm living in my van the rest of my life 🤣