Scottish property consultants CKD Galbraith have announced plans to acquire the Buccleuch John Sale estate agency and chartered surveying business.

The acquisition will result in a major expansion of the CKD Galbraith office network in Scotland and the range of property services provided by the firm.

The firm's three offices and 30 staff in Kelso, Galashiels and Peebles will continue to serve the needs of their clients as a fully integrated part of CKD Galbraith.

The prospective deal will take the number of CKD Galbraith offices in Scotland to 12, employing 160 people from Inverness to the Borders.

Heads of terms have been agreed between CKD Galbraith and The Buccleuch Group. Subject to the due diligence process being completed successfully, the acquisition is expected to be completed within a month.


CKD Galbraith chairman James Galbraith said: "This is a very exciting and significant development for all involved. John Sale is a long-established practice, particularly in the Borders, and is a very highly respected name in property. We will be joining forces with a team that shares many of the same values as CKD Galbraith, and believe our combined resources will offer a depth, breadth and quality of service to clients that is simply not currently available in the Borders."

Buccleuch John Sale director Harry Lukas added: "We are all very pleased to be joining the progressive CKD Galbraith team. We have a great deal in common, particularly in seeking to offer people in the rural property sector a personal service which has been our approach for many years. We will continue to serve our clients, many of whom we have built up excellent relationships with over a long time."

CKD Galbraith is an independent property consultancy specialising in serving the needs of private clients. It employs over 130 people in offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Cupar, Inverness, Aberfeldy, Castle Douglas, Ayr and Elgin.

The partnership provides the full range of property consulting services across the commercial, residential and rural sectors throughout Scotland. The company enjoys a successful relationship with its associate firm in London, CKD Kennedy Macpherson.

The company's rural arm specialises in farm sales and purchases, the management and sale of large estates and woodland, valuations and building surveying work.

(GK/JM)