There are six Celtic nations – Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man – all with their own languages.
Each one is rightly proud of its heritage and offers stunning locations and fabulous properties. Here, we look into the appeal of four of those listed and highlight some of their homes currently on the market.
Why Scotland?
“Scotland as a whole is highly sought after as the countryside varies dramatically and all purchasers have their own preferences from the remote Highlands to the rolling Perthshire countryside and down to the Borders,” says Emma Chalmers of Galbraith. “The west coast is always of great interest with its beaches and dramatic scenery.
“The appeal of the Scottish estate endures and on average there are about 12-15 estates changing hands per year. The weak pound can be attributed by some as the reason for the increased appeal of the Scottish estate by foreign buyers but equally the undisturbed remoteness held by most are a big attraction, not only from the foreign purchaser but also those from the UK.
“More and more estates are sold privately as owners do not wish the sale to be accompanied by intrusive media coverage, speculation or general comment. The most sought-after estates are those with a sporting element such as a stretch of fishing, a low ground shoot and some hill ground, with a principal house or lodge in a good state of repair.
“The country house with perhaps five to 25 acres, also continues to appeal. Those commutable to the cities are in great demand as the country life with perhaps horses, gardens, beekeeping or indeed some livestock has grown in popularity. Perthshire is in high demand as it is generally highly convenient for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee with its rolling countryside and good proximity to small towns; Auchterarder is very popular and has the five-star Gleneagles Hotel with Michelin-starred restaurant and three championship golf courses on its doorstep.
“Other towns with the draw of golf are St Andrews and Troon, both very desirable with their famous golf courses and costal locations. In Inverness-shire the Black Isle is in demand and properties with access to a loch or river will command a premium. Buyers also choose Scotland for its traditions and history being one of the draws of Ayrshire where there are several places with a connection to Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard, who was born in Alloway.
“Currently the market is very buoyant, with fierce competition for realistically priced property in scenic rural locations. Country properties with five to 10 acres of land offer an enviable rural lifestyle at a price which is far more affordable than for example, parts of the south of England, with a pace of life difficult to beat.”
