• Book a Valuation
  • SEARCH
  • Sales 0141 225 3880
  • Lettings 0141 225 3881
  • Home
  • About
    • About Robb Residential
    • Our Pledge to You
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Service in Detail
  • Buy
    • Buying
    • Private Collection
    • Properties for Sale
  • Sell
    • Selling
    • Arrange a Valuation
    • Testimonials
  • Tenant
    • Tenant Info
    • Report a Repair
    • Properties for Let
  • Landlord
    • Landlord Info
    • Landlord Responsibilities
    • Testimonials
  • News
  • Contact
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Robb Residential
    • Our Pledge to You
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Service in Detail
  • Buy
    • Buying
    • Private Collection
    • Properties for Sale
  • Sell
    • Selling
    • Arrange a Valuation
    • Testimonials
  • Tenant
    • Tenant Info
    • Report a Repair
    • Properties for Let
  • Landlord
    • Landlord Info
    • Landlord Responsibilities
    • Testimonials
  • News
  • Contact

A Day in The Life of Robb Residential – On the Road and the Sea

  • Published on: 1st December 2021

When an Estate Agent’s alarm goes off before 6am, a long shift is in prospect, but at Robb Residential that day will likely involve land and sea, encompassing some of the best terrain and sights the west of Scotland, its coasts and islands, have to offer. It’s a benchmark for our personalised, tailored service: we want to see and experience your property and its surrounds, allowing us to represent everything the home, its grounds, environs and connectivity have to offer. As one of our online competitors makes property headlines for falling profits – in a uniquely busy market – and possible HMRC issues around their staff employment status, we thought showcasing some of our work would be of interest to clients old, new, and prospective. Not many Estate Agents are on six boats in one day.

The radio alarm comes to life just before 6am, the gentle tones of Radio 4 seeping into the master bedroom. Sometimes it’s straight up and at it, but on other days a few more minutes of slumber are needed, accompanied by Tweet of The Day, its birdsong fitting for the hours ahead. After a jolt of caffeine and a light breakfast, it’s a drive to Gourock for the departure of the Western ferry to Hunters Quay in Dunoon. This crossing is almost as solid as a bridge, as Western sail in most weathers. During the 20 minutes that follow, it’s time to make some calls, check and send an email or two, and enjoy the – hopefully – clear morning skies as the sun glitters on the Clyde as it and the Holy Loch dissolve into one. On a rare occasion, the traveller might spot a pilot whale or two, their long fins cutting through the surface water. These beautiful mammals might prefer the offshore depths, but it’s not unknown for them to venture closer to our world. Boat #1 has delivered me on time, and it’s onward to the day’s first instruction.

From Hunters Quay it’s a 23-mile drive to Tighnabruaich, home of my initial appointment. The drive and destination are often magical, the panoramic views of the Kyles of Bute and their lush straits ideal for tourist and local boats alike. And it’s not unusual to see the famous Waverley: built in 1946, and named for Sir Walter Scott’s first novel, the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer has been providing excursion fun for decades.

At all instructions we are keen to understand your requirements as a seller, and how they might dovetail with our known buyers, or the open market: if our visit takes an hour or as long as three hours, it’s important we get to know you and your property. After my first instruction, it’s a nod to the old steamer and time to hit the road to Portavadie. Situated on the far west side of the Cowal Peninsula, Portavadie began its life as a home for various trades and industries related to North Sea oil. Its modern economic history was inauspicious until 2009, when the marina was first used to tie-up yachts. In the seven years that followed, a new marina complex, luxury homes, a conference space, spas and other accoutrements for high-end visitors have made this small haven a choice destination, especially for seafarers. A fine case of “if you build it, they will come.”

Boat #2 is the Calmac ferry that takes me west across to Tarbert, home of my next meeting. In fair weather it’s great to sit out and enjoy some digital detox while watching seals, otters, salmon farms and diving gannets at work. Tarbert is a beautiful harbour town now home to yachting and seafood festivals, as well as an amusement fair that passes through annually. After my second stop, unlike Magnus Barefoot, King of Norway, I don’t have to carry my transport – in his case it was a boat, signalling his power and ownership over the Western Isles – west across the isthmus, and instead I am in the car and on the A83 to Tayinloan and another Calmac crossing, boat #3. After more work on my iPhone, I disembark onto Gigha, and an opportunity to pitch for some work for the island’s Heritage Trust.

Since 2002, the island of Gigha has been community-owned, and this is just the latest innovation on an island inhabited since before the Iron Age. The origins of the name Gigha are disputed, but that doesn’t obscure the rich Norse, Gaelic and Scottish histories of this outpost inhabited by fewer than 200 good folk. The growing community that binds this society is fired by the tales of seafarers from ancient times and the likes of the Battle of Largs (1263) to the modern day that saw three wind turbines installed, producing electricity for local consumption and sale to the National Grid.

If I continued further west my next call would be Islay, accompanied perhaps by a fine malt and maybe a quick game of golf in the morning but, alas, it’s time to head homeward. Not for me via the grassy landing strip on Gigha and a quick hop to Glasgow but, instead, courtesy of the three crossings that smoothly delivered me here, I return towards the city. It’s poignant to depart an island with links to pre-historic times and mediaeval history, only to find oneself on the internet and Robb Residential’s mailing list, identifying from our clients and others who have registered those interested parties for our two residential listings, in Tignabruaich and Tarbert.

On the drive and three boats back, I realise I’ve had no lunch, but a couple of coffees here and there have sustained me. With all three instructions secured, life feels good and I realise – again – I have a job that I love. The journey from Gigha to home is likely followed by a late night or early start, the better to get our personalised, high-quality brochure out to our marketplace; and the properties listed on the web. If you have a property you want to sell, Robb Residential, like that Western ferry between Dunoon and Hunters Quay, will come out in almost all weathers.

Robb Residential are an Estate Agent based in Glasgow who deal in a range of unique and beautiful properties in the middle-to-prime market in Scotland. For more information, please contact us, email or call on 0141 225 3880.

Note: statistics, percentages and references are correct at the time of writing.

share this post
latest news

Explore Latest News

Robb Residential

The Scottish Residential Sales’ Market

Read More
Merry Christmas Robb Residential

Merry Christmas & Reflections on 2022

Read More
Q4 2022 Robb Residential Report

Q4 2022 Report from Robb Residential

Read More

Robb Residential moves to new office premises

Read More
Robb Residential Q3 Report

Q3 2022 Report from Robb Residential

Read More
get properties straight to your inbox

Property Alerts

Keep up to date with the latest properties from Robb Residential.
Submit your details below.
sign up for property alerts

what our customers say

Thank you all so much for your assistance in marking and selling my home. You did a fabulous job throughout, it was a plasure to work with you all.
Ms Marijuan

what our customers say

From the initial contact, during the sales meeting and then throughout the sale of our property, we found the staff at Robb Residential to be professional and very personable. We were very happy with the interest generated and with the rather interesting final outcome.
Mr Harvey & Ms Wells

what our customers say

We are really looking forward to Elliston House. I’ve lost count of how many trades I have scheduled for visits during the first week and I can’t wait to renovate the house over the next couple of years.  Elliston is something special and I’m so...
Mr Hogg

what our customers say

I’ve dealt with many agents over the years. I’ve found Robb Residential’s professionalism and approach unparalleled in the local market. Thank you.
Mr Hogg

what our customers say

If we win the lottery and wish to purchase another delightful Scottish prooerty you will be our first port of call.
Karen and Michael

what our customers say

Although Nicole was acting for the seller, we had regular contact throughout the process as she sought to ensure that the sale moved forward. It was a very stressful process for everyone involved and Nicole was fantastic in being the central co-ordination in her support...
Lindsay
Google
EXCELLENT Based on 118 reviews
Wisam Abbas
Wisam Abbas
20/05/2022
Excellent team. They take great care of tenants. I felt at ease throughout the renting process. The response to any arising matters is quick and professional. I am very satisfied with the service. Thanks
Iain Turner
Iain Turner
19/05/2022
Having been let down on a number of occasions, we decided to move to this company. Our house is on the west coast of Scotland and we are based in Norfolk, so it is very important to us that they deal with things locally. And they have. They organised the installation of a new Calor tank, replacing the roof, redecoration and many other "routine" tasks. I cannot recommend them highly enough as a company that makes things happen without nagging. They are brilliant and I would 110% recommend them to anyone looking for a letting agent. Particular mention to Rachel who is my direct contact. She is utterly, almost ruthlessly, dependable and understands that I want the best for my tenants as well as myself.
Marwa Osman
Marwa Osman
19/05/2022
I rented an apartment from this agency over 6 years ago and now I'm back and dealt with them too. They are very helpful, professional and responsive. Hope everyone has an amazing experience like the one l had it with Robbie residential highly recommended 👌
Cath Murphy
Cath Murphy
17/05/2022
I have had the privilege of working and instructing the Robb Agency on many of my rented properties over the years. They have always proved to be extremely helpful and reliable, not just with me but also my tenants. The Agency always takes me through the lettings process in a friendly and diligent manner.
Monica Shaw
Monica Shaw
13/05/2022
Having just moved from Wiltshire to Scotland in search of my dream rural property in the West Highlands, I was delighted to come across my current tenancy for which Robb Residential was the agent. They made the process as smooth and seamless as it could possibly have been, communicating the whole way through with updates on the property. All around genuine nice folks who seemed earnestly please about us getting into this home that we love so much. Thanks!!
mark washer
mark washer
13/05/2022
Rachel kept us informed throughout the process, these things can be quite frustrating, but Rachel made it very easy. Rachel was also very cheerful and positive which makes all the difference. Jonathon who did the viewing and handover was also very helpful and cheerful.
Lee-Anne Watt
Lee-Anne Watt
09/05/2022
Fantastic experience with renting a property with the Robb Residential Team. Dedicated, trustworthy and completely client focused-thank you!
Marion Walker
Marion Walker
26/04/2022
The service I have received from Carolyn has been second to none. She has been an absolute gem - totally understanding our needs and extremely attentive, friendly and professional. I cannot recommend her or Robb Residential enough.
Tasha k
Tasha k
26/04/2022
Great service highly recommend, best service I have had with dealing with an agent. Mark is a great help and a pleasure to deal with!!!
OTM-logo_light_bg
Zoopla-logo
rightmove logo
spg logo-01
lettingweb_logo
citylets
SAL-Middle
safe deposits
Generic_TPO_Logo
Robb Residential is a national middle-to-prime market property consultancy.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin
Buying
  • Search Properties for Sale
  • Private Collection
  • LBTT
Selling
  • Sell Your Property
  • Property Valuation
Letting
  • Search Properties to Rent
  • Tenant Information
property alerts
  • Sign Up for Property Alerts
More Information
  • Contact Us
  • News
Legal
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2023 Robb Residential

Website by Rycramweb Ltd 

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Market Appraisal

FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO RECEIVE A FREE MARKET APPRAISAL

Property Enquiry - Lettings

Fill out the form below to send an enquiry for:

A Day in The Life of Robb Residential – On the Road and the Sea

Note Your Interest

A Day in The Life of Robb Residential – On the Road and the Sea
Have you viewed this property and do you wish to reply?

Student Accommodation

FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO ENQUIRE ABOUT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION FOR:
2023

Send to a Friend​

Send details of A Day in The Life of Robb Residential – On the Road and the Sea to a friend by completing the form below.

Property Enquiry

Fill out the form below to send an enquiry for:

A Day in The Life of Robb Residential – On the Road and the Sea

Property Alerts...

Fill out the form below to register for property alerts
Thank you. You have registered successfully.
An error occurred whilst trying to register. Please try again.
Please ensure all required fields have been completed
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

This website also uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!

Cookie Policy

How do we use cookies?

• We use cookies to track your use of our website. This enables us to understand how you use the site and track any patterns with regards how you are using our website. This helps us to develop and improve our website as well as products and / or services in response to what you might need or want.

• Cookies are either:

– Session cookies: these are only stored on your computer during your web session and are automatically deleted when you close your browser – they usually store an anonymous session ID allowing you to browse a website without having to log in to each page but they do not collect any personal data from your computer; or

– Persistent cookies: a persistent cookie is stored as a file on your computer and it remains there when you close your web browser. The cookie can be read by the website that created it when you visit that website again. [We use persistent cookies for Google Analytics.]

• Cookies can also be categorised as follows:

– Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential to enable you to use the website effectively, such as when buying a product and / or service, and therefore cannot be turned off. Without these cookies, the services available to you on our website cannot be provided. These cookies do not gather information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you have been on the internet.

– Performance cookies: These cookies enable us to monitor and improve the performance of our website. For example, they allow us to count visits, identify traffic sources and see which parts of the site are most popular.

– Functionality cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features. For instance, we may be able to provide you with news or updates relevant to the services you use.

More information about our Cookie Policy