Rob Hardy tastes the sporting adventures offered by the Kirnan Estate in Argyll
FOR MOST FIELD SPORTS enthusiasts, the idea of owning a sporting estate is a pipe dream, but for Rob Evans and his wife Gemma Rogers, it became a reality in 2021 when they bought the Kirnan Estate on Scotland’s west coast.
Rob, a lifelong shooter and fisherman, and Gemma lived in rural Cambridgeshire, a very different proposition to the rugged west coast of Scotland, but the young couple, who met in Cyprus, shared a longing to live in Scotland and run their own holiday accommodation, allowing them the type of lifestyle they’d always desired.
In 2020, when most people were concerned with the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, they made the bold move to view the Kirnan Estate, which they’d noticed was for sale while on a fishing trip in the Borders.
“It just showed our naivety about the west coast. We saw the estate for sale and as we were already in Scotland, we decided to drive up and take a look. I mean, how far could it be?” said Gemma.
Four hours and nearly 200 miles later, they arrived in the stunning Argyll countryside of Kilmichael Glassary.
Immediately overwhelmed by the beauty of the area, a tour of the more than 400-acre estate, which boasts 2½ miles of double-bank salmon and sea-trout fishing on the River Add, two hill trout lochans and rough shooting and deer stalking over its mixture of hill moorland, commercial forest and pasture land, as well as a principal house and two further cottages, was enough to convince them it was the perfect location for their future plans.
“We instantly fell in love with the place,” said Gemma. “In fact, we had only driven over the stone bridge crossing the river and down to the entrance when we stopped and said that we have to find a way to buy this.”
Rob and Gemma finally secured Kirnan and relocated, with Gemma’s mother, Stephine, in February 2021. That first Scottish winter proved a baptism of fire, but undaunted they started their restoration and renovation plans in October that year, determined to use as many local suppliers and materials as possible and really embed themselves in the community.
“Thankfully, the cottages and cabin didn’t need structural changes, so we updated the kitchens and bathrooms with modern fittings and appliances. Our style is what we would call modern country house chic. We want to offer a high-end experience within the self-catering marketplace,” said G
