Founded in 1999, Cairn is now a team of specialists in residential property investment. Managing Director David Rowand saw that his estate agency clients could benefit from more than sales or purchase advice and help with negotiation. Property assets could deliver more return with the right development, refurbishment, letting management and property maintenance programmes. Cairn began as a property company, developing and selling on existing properties. Now it works mainly with investor clients; sourcing, developing, managing and selling residential investment properties to maximise return for their owners.How we do business
Personal connection is central to Cairn's ethos. We want to build long-term relationships with our clients. Agency means standing in your client's shoes and Cairn takes that responsibility seriously. Client's individual goals for their properties become Cairn's goals too. We offer honest advice coming from experience and expertise but geared to your own expectations.
How we add value
Adding value is at the heart of what we do. Identifying opportunities and delivering returns is why we make a difference.
- Cairn specialists in the profitable but highly regulated HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) market have a reputation for sourcing and developing properties not only to respected standards, but also to deliver above-market returns.
- Commitment to regular inspection and a robust tenant contact and management programme ensures clients have peace of mind.
- Off market opportunities can offer enhanced returns and Cairn's industry connections bring consistently high-quality stock to us.
Served areas
- Scotland
Highlights and features
- HMO Specialists
- Estate Agents
- Letting Agents
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Services
Letting HMOs can deliver greater yields for investors, but is subject to stricter and more complex controls than general residential letting. HMOs are properties let to 3 or more unconnected people and include student lettings – Cairn’s area of expertise. Demand for student properties always outstrips supply, so if landlords can comply with the legislation, voids will be minimal. If the property delivers on quality, rent levels will be at the higher end of the spectrum.
Selling your property smoothly takes communication. Each member of Cairn’s sales team will know your property’s details, and its special features. We keep talking to potential purchasers, for feedback and to promote your property. We also keep talking to you, making sure you know what’s going on and helping you take the right action.
Reviews (21)
Gus Woltmann
Feb 04, 2024
For several years, I've relied on Cairn to oversee my HMO portfolio and facilitate property transactions. Their responsiveness to client needs has been consistently impressive, and I confidently recommend them as the leading HMO letting specialists in the West End. Heather and Carolanne, my main contacts, are exceptionally professional, always going the extra mile to promptly address any issues that may arise. Their commitment to assistance, regardless of the time or day, reflects the importance they place on resolving matters promptly in the dynamic field of property letting. In summary, Cairn is a well-managed agency with a tightly-run operation and knowledgeable staff – a recommendation I wholeheartedly endorse.
Mark Coll
Dec 01, 2023
Outstanding service from the beginning to the end. Jenny oversaw the sale of my house, providing frequent updates throughout the day. She ensured a seamless process, and I felt completely at ease with the management of the sale. When it comes time to sell my next property, I already know where I'll turn!
Callum Magee
May 24, 2022
Omar Aziz
Apr 13, 2022
I have used Cairn for several years to manage my HMO portfolio and also to buy & sell properties through them. I have always found them to be responsive to clients needs and would not hesitate to recommend them for being the HMO letting specialist in the West End. My main contacts on a daily basis are Heather and Carolanne who are very professional and genuinely do go the extra mile to resolve any problems that arise - no matter the time or day they are always there to do what they can to help which in the letting game is important as issues don't just appear on a Monday morning. Overall a well managed and tightly run agency with knowledegable staff that I would highly recommend.
Jose Villalba
Apr 10, 2022
Biplob Banerjee
Mar 10, 2022
Fantastic experience renting with Cairn property in last 4 years. Always very willing to help and support with utmost respect. I have really liked the property which comes with high standards and support that I got from my property manager Victoria & sophie is amazing. Really appreciate the work that you do. Best wishes!
Eilidh
Dec 17, 2021
Kirsty Belshaw
Dec 03, 2021
I recently used Cairn for selling my property and the service I received was fantastic. Susan was my main point of contact and kept in regular touch with me throughout the full process. She was also very helpful and supportive when I had a number of issues with the solicitor I was using for the sale. I was extremely impressed with the photos and virtual tour that were taken for marketing the property, they were highly professional and attracted 30+ viewers.
My property went to a closing date and sold within a week of being on the market! I wouldn't hesitate to use Cairn again in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone selling a property.
My property went to a closing date and sold within a week of being on the market! I wouldn't hesitate to use Cairn again in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone selling a property.
Kyna Morgan
Nov 08, 2021
I have had a positive experience with Cairn since the very start, from submitting a note of interest about a property, then applying online, to discussing my application with property manager Safa Khan, and through my settling in process. I was fortunate that the landlord was sensitive to my situation (coming from the U.S. to pursue a postgraduate degree) and my needs (a two-bedroom flat, washer, quiet area, a home for several years).
All of my interactions with Cairn have been positive, and my million questions I have as I deal with a bit of culture shock and getting used to how things are done in Scotland and the UK generally, have always been dealt with swiftly and helpfully. It's been a pleasure working with Cairn and having someone like Safa be my main contact for any issues or questions I have.
All of my interactions with Cairn have been positive, and my million questions I have as I deal with a bit of culture shock and getting used to how things are done in Scotland and the UK generally, have always been dealt with swiftly and helpfully. It's been a pleasure working with Cairn and having someone like Safa be my main contact for any issues or questions I have.
Caitlin Longman
Jul 01, 2021
This is my second time letting with Cairn and I would highly recommend using them as your Letting Agency. The staff have always been extremely professional and helpful. We have never had a problem getting ahold of staff on the phone or via email. It is easy to report any issues through the online system and we found that they were resolved very quickly. Many thanks to the Cairn staff.
Matt
Aug 15, 2019
Infinite Incompetence
Found an ad on Gumtree for a nicely looking property. I was told by the owner to call this agency so I did and here all the trouble begins. They weren't able to schedule a viewing for late afternoon, e.g. after 5pm (which is the only option for me during the weekdays). So we finally settled on Saturday. When my friend arrived there (as I wasn't able to myself) it turned out no one told the current tenants and hence the viewing was cancelled.
They even asked me for confirmation whether I am coming that day and they didn't bother to check if everything is alright on their side. But OK that happens, or so I thought. Called them again on Tuesday to reschedule. Same problem again, can't do viewings after 5pm, this time Saturday's not possible as well. They told me to call on Thursday. Thursday comes so I give them a call and suddenly they can do late afternoons - next week's Thursday 6pm.
Today comes, so I want to make sure the viewing's happening so I give them yet another call. Guess what, the property's already let. About 20 minutes after the call (and less than 4 hours before the viewing) they also send me an email the viewing's cancelled, but I doubt they'd send it if I didn't call. Never going for this agency again.
Found an ad on Gumtree for a nicely looking property. I was told by the owner to call this agency so I did and here all the trouble begins. They weren't able to schedule a viewing for late afternoon, e.g. after 5pm (which is the only option for me during the weekdays). So we finally settled on Saturday. When my friend arrived there (as I wasn't able to myself) it turned out no one told the current tenants and hence the viewing was cancelled.
They even asked me for confirmation whether I am coming that day and they didn't bother to check if everything is alright on their side. But OK that happens, or so I thought. Called them again on Tuesday to reschedule. Same problem again, can't do viewings after 5pm, this time Saturday's not possible as well. They told me to call on Thursday. Thursday comes so I give them a call and suddenly they can do late afternoons - next week's Thursday 6pm.
Today comes, so I want to make sure the viewing's happening so I give them yet another call. Guess what, the property's already let. About 20 minutes after the call (and less than 4 hours before the viewing) they also send me an email the viewing's cancelled, but I doubt they'd send it if I didn't call. Never going for this agency again.
Sarah Morrison
Oct 09, 2018
David and Karyn recently carried out work on our property. Not only are they both genuinely lovely people and a pleasure to have in our home but the work was all carried out to the highest of standards. As was the clean up at the end of each day. So refreshing to find such a punctual and reliable service and we will definitely use them again.
Claire Ramage
Jul 30, 2018
Recently moved into a property in larkhall using Cairn Estate and Letting Agency. I have had a very positive experience using this letting agent particularly Sarah Carrell. She has been very professional and informative and always replies to queries and emails with efficiency. She has also been a very good communication link between myself and my landlord with any queries.
I would definitely recommend this company and Sarah to anyone looking to rent or buy a property and wish I had been put in touch with them before using any other letting agent as I have previous bad experiences with other companies.
I would definitely recommend this company and Sarah to anyone looking to rent or buy a property and wish I had been put in touch with them before using any other letting agent as I have previous bad experiences with other companies.
Kevin Docherty
Jun 20, 2018
Currently at the tail end of getting my second house , can openly commend cairn letting for the hard work and tolerance with my particular purchase , especially Moya and Sheena who will no doubt have been hearing my voice in there nightmare with how many times I phoned and pestered them for many a miracle update on my future home.
Moya who was upfront and completely honest with me in letting me know that because of the seller/lender that my house was being sold through would take a long and strenuous time due to the legal requirements of buying the property right form the beginning and even when I phoned and phoned for updates ( knowing full well she contacted me the minute she had something as well as Sheena too) were still pleasant and understanding of my personal situation for needing updates.
Can’t thank you enough !
Moya who was upfront and completely honest with me in letting me know that because of the seller/lender that my house was being sold through would take a long and strenuous time due to the legal requirements of buying the property right form the beginning and even when I phoned and phoned for updates ( knowing full well she contacted me the minute she had something as well as Sheena too) were still pleasant and understanding of my personal situation for needing updates.
Can’t thank you enough !
Kelsey Campbell
Jul 16, 2016
Firstly you are lucky if your viewing is conducted by Gemma as she is just fantastic at her job, really friendly and funny with a casual approach. The whole team seems to deliver quality customer service, from the girl who picked up the phone to arrange the viewing to Moya the branch manager in Glasgow. If you're unsure whether or not to use Cairn, I would 100% recommend them.
So far we have only viewed and noted interest in the property (fingers crossed) and we are already wholly impressed by them. I've experienced many a letting agent in the past few years and Cairn have surpassed the rest by miles so far!
So far we have only viewed and noted interest in the property (fingers crossed) and we are already wholly impressed by them. I've experienced many a letting agent in the past few years and Cairn have surpassed the rest by miles so far!
Stanley Macleod
Andrew Wood
Jenna Wiseman
My husband and I rented our first flat together using this letting agency, and we couldn’t be happier with the service. I’ve dealt with a few dodgy landlords and agencies in the past, so it was a welcome change to have such an organised, professional team on hand. Any issues we’ve had (hardly any, by the way) have been dealt with promptly and communication between us and the landlord has been made so easy thanks to Cairn. Everyone that we’ve dealt with have been so patient and friendly, and it’s honestly been a joy renting this property.
Matthew Thomson
Lucy Kate Rawcliffe
Tony Brown
I am the purchaser of a repossession that cairns had for sale and from the start they have been nothing but amazing allowing viewings access to measure things even down to pushing the sellers for an decision on the offer Moya in particular has been 1st class worth her weight in gold. And lately Chris too. They have gone above and beyond it would not have been possible to get things done without them. 5star service and I wasn't even their client amazing job guys you all deserve a pay rise. Thank you for everything