Your estate in safe hands
ABOUT The Estates Office
Regulated by RICS, we are experienced land management professionals with a reputation for excellence. Our aim is to provide private landowners and corporate estates with a bespoke, flexible, personal service. With The Estates Office, you know you are in safe hands.
We are members of ARLA Propertymark which means we meet higher industry standards than the law demands. Our experts undertake regular training to ensure they are up to date with best practice and complex legislative changes so that they can offer you the best advice. For your protection we are also backed by a Client Money Protection Scheme.
SOPHIE HANDLEY
Sophie is a specialist rural chartered surveyor with a BA (Hons) Degree in Rural Business Management with Livestock Agriculture, MRICS. Sophie has been involved in farming all her life; the daughter of farmers from North Yorkshire.
Her career has taken her from the Outer Hebrides through Northumberland and Argyll where she has made her home. Sophie's degree and agricultural knowledge enables her to manage the farming enterprises of her clients: everything from DEFRA returns, BPS and IACS applications to managing Cattle Passports.
Sophie is known for providing her clients with a high calibre, efficient and personal service tailored to the clients very own specific land and estate management requirements. This includes all aspects of staff management, diversification projects such as boat yards, events management and holiday lets.
For many of her clients, Sophie provides cost effective, efficient management of their properties. Using local contractors, she project manages developments and improvements to meet clients' needs. Sophie has established strong relationships with both clients and contractors and works on both a retained and ad hoc advisory capacity.
Sophie is up-to-date with the legislation affecting the rural and property sector and is experienced in tenancy for both agricultural and residential properties. She also brings to the table fresh, new ideas to help west coast estates to diversify from traditional activities.
As a Registered Valuer and member of the RICS Sophie has experience in providing a valuation service for strategic planning purposes, inheritance plans or for private sales. Sophie undertakes RICS Red Book valuations, and with her passion for property, loves nothing more then having a good old nosey around all types of properties.
Away from the office, Sophie enjoys exploring the wilderness of the Outer Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland and visiting family and friends in North Yorkshire. She has a passion for wild swimming and getting lost on long walks. Renovations to her own property in Loch Awe continue….
PAUL NICOLL
Paul Nicoll, who has practiced in Argyll for over 25 years, has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the area, its demographic and socio economic needs. It is this expertise that Paul brings when advising landowners and asset managers.
Paul spent the 1980's working along the M62 corridor within the residential and commercial investment sector, as well as developing retail space. When he moved to Argyll in 1991, he brought with him this asset management experience, which he continues to apply today supplemented by knowledge of the rural sector that he has built up.
Over the last 25 years, Paul has advised estate owners on a retained and ad hoc basis on the strategic direction of their property, taking in to account not only the intrinsic assets, but also the political and fiscal environment. In this time Paul has been involved with most of the estates that have come to the market, whether it be as selling agent, buying agent or simply providing valuations and strategic advice on options.
Advising clients in rural areas encompasses all facets of landownership ranging from the traditional to developing sectors. With his extensive experience in acting for landowners in a huge number of estates in both Argyll and Lochaber, Paul is able to act quickly and knowledgeably.
Away from the office Paul continues in his quest to revive the island of Balnagowan in Loch Linnhe, and to grow his flock of Soay sheep. His desire to explore the world remains undimmed.
NELLIE HegartY-Rodgers
Nellie joined the Estate office in August 2023 to take the lead on the The Estates Office Property Management department.
Brought up on the Isle of Mull, Nellie has valuable local knowledge and connections, her previous experience in Social Housing throughout Argyll will enable The Estates Office to continue to provide a high quality service to all our clients.
When not at work, Nellie enjoys spending time with her family and has a keen interest in photography – who wouldn’t when she lives in a place like Mull!!
Sara Milton
Sara joined The Estates Office in November 2022 and very quickly became Sophie’s right-hand woman!
Sara was bought up on a farm in the small village of Kilmelford, located south of Oban.
Now very much at home in Oban, Sara uses her knowledge of the local area to handle client requests from sourcing the correct carpet to keeping on top of client accounts.
Sara has a keen interest in property and enjoys the varied tasks of her position as Office Manager here at The Estates Office. Away from the office Sara enjoys running around after her two boys and taking long walks with her dog Molly.
IAIN (THE DOG)
The Golden Retriever! Iain joined the Estates Office as Sophie’s assistant, and so far the apprenticeship is going quite well. Iain has been shown around our various estates, and introduced to some of our clients, staff and contractors. There has also been plenty of time spent exploring, walking and swimming around the area.
Although needing to kerb his enthusiasm at times, Iain is already very much at home and is showing great promise!