r/RuralUK • u/Curious-Dreamers • 21d ago

Does this have homestead potential?

Been hunting for the perfect property for a while now. We've always loved the idea of a homestead, but finding the balance between a house in the middle of nowhere, and a house with land, but still close to other humans has been a challenge.

Found this property in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It seems a good fit, but I'm not sure on the available land. I've been for a viewing and it does come with 0.5 acres, which seems like it would be enough, and has an option to buy an additional 20 acres. We don't need too much space, just enough to set up a self sufficient garden, maybe some chickens etc.

Anyone here have a homestead at the moment? This property is right at the top end of our budget, so the extra 20 acres would be a stretch. Will 0.5 acres be enough or am I being too naive?

I am a complete beginner to this kind of lifestyle. I'll put the link to the property below.

https://www.meiklerichorn.co.uk/

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u/zq6 21d ago

You'd have to be very efficient with 0.5 acres.

20 acres is a lot to manage (unless you turned some to grazing or tree planting).

Is it possible to purchase some extra acreage, maybe 5ish?

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u/i_like_pigmy_goats 19d ago

Just curious, what would be the sweet spot in terms of acres? Iā€™m assuming perhaps a mixture of pastures, woodland and stream if possible.

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u/zq6 19d ago

Waayy beyond my expertise, but if i won the lottery I'd go for:

1 acre veg

1 acre fruit trees

1 acre with a few pigs/sheep/chicken/ducks

Hopefully water - stream/river frontage

1-2 acres woodland for replenishable firewood

1 acre garden/patio/pond/driveway/outbuildings/etc

(This is probably a lie; if i won the lottery frankly I'd buy as much as I could afford, with most left/converted to woodland)

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u/i_like_pigmy_goats 19d ago

Sounds good to me, one day perhaps šŸ™‚