Bell Ingram Secure Sale of Historic Hospital for NHS

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Migdale 2One of the UK’s leading property agents has secured the sale of a former village hospital, helping to free up valuable public assets.

Trusted land and property agent Bell Ingram has sold the former Migdale Hospital in Bonar Bridge, Sutherland to a private buyer on behalf of NHS Highland.

The future of the 150-year-old ‘B’ listed building is now secure, after spending two years on the market, following the sale to Alan McCartney, a businessman with local connections.

Mr McCartney said: “I am very pleased to have this opportunity to restore the listed building and hope to bring to fruition a development that enhances both the building and the Bonar Bridge area.”

Bell Ingram specialises in a wide range of property management and is confident its latest success will see it commissioned with future public sector property sales.

Crispian Cook, an Associate at Bell Ingram’s Bonar Bridge office said: “This is an attractive and very large Victorian building, which had passed its useful life as a village hospital.

“It had been on the market for some time, but we have now secured its sale, thereby securing its future, freeing up valuable capital for the Scottish Government and allowing the village to move on.

“We are pleased about the successful completion of the sale and that the new owner sees the potential for the property in the long term.”

The handsome white building was originally built as a Victorian ‘poorhouse’ but was later obtained by the NHS and was most recently used as a long-stay facility for the elderly.

It was sold for an undisclosed sum after being advertised at an asking price of offers over £350,000. A new Migdale Hospital was opened in Bonar Bridge in June 2011.

Crispian added: “Bell Ingram has an impressive reputation in the high quality rural and residential markets so it was a natural extension for us to widen our expertise by expanding into new sectors in the commercial property sector.

“Many former public sector buildings remain untouched and unsold for longer periods of time, meaning potentially hundreds of thousands of pound of valuable public assets are being sat on.

“By recognising the unique selling points of each property and marketing it to the right audience, it is possible that these properties can be sold, freeing the assets tied up within them.”

The two-storey former hospital is in 1.85 acres of land surrounding some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside as well as a manicured garden area, featuring lawns and sculpted flower beds.

The main building still features the original hospital layout comprising of wards, office spaces and private rooms and its location close to the heart of Bonar Bridge, a thriving local centre.

At the moment the new owner is considering various proposals for the building but has asked that if anyone has ideas they wish to discuss with him should submit their details to the Bell Ingram team on 01863 766683 or in the post to their Bonar Bridge office.

 Bell Ingram has built a respected and trusted name in rural land and property matters since the firm was established in Perth 112 years ago. The firm has over 100 professional staff across 11 UK offices, including chartered surveyors, estate and forestry manager, architects, green energy specialists and estate agents,

More information about other properties on the market through Bell Ingram can be found at www.bellingram.co.uk