Key details
- 1 Reception Room
- 3 Bedrooms
- 1 Bathroom
- Council Tax Band: A
Overview
Detached property at Norwick just to the north of the village of Haroldswick on the island of Unst, Britain's most northerly inhabited island.
The single storey accommodation currently comprises three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, shower room, scullery, and utility room, plus a store / workshop, however renovation is required which is reflected in the price.
Externally there is an area of garden ground plus the walls of a former byre and garage which could potentially form the basis of an outbuilding.
Unst has an excellent range of local amenities including a Junior High school, leisure centre / swimming pool, several local shops, three community halls and a doctor's surgery. A ro-ro ferry service connects the island with mainland Shetland via the neighbouring island of Yell, the service running from early morning until late evening.
Unst is the location of the UK’s first spaceport for vertical rocket launches.
As this is an uninhabitable property requiring renovation a Home Report is not required.
General Information
'Braeview' is situated at Norwick just to the north of the village of Haroldswick at the north end of the island of Unst, Britain's most northerly inhabited island.
Although only 12 miles long by 5 miles wide, and with a population of around 650, the island has excellent local amenities most of which are based in Baltasound the main population centre situated several miles south of the house, amenities including a Junior High School (primary and secondary education to year 4), a superb leisure centre and swimming pool, doctor's surgery, several local shops (two with fuel), post office, garage, small hotel, three community halls and a marina. Haroldswick itself has a heritage centre, a small boat museum, a Viking site, tearoom, plus a small distillery and visitor centre at Saxa Vord.
Unst has many places of interest in particular Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Keen of Hamar Reserve, Muness Castle, Saxavord Hill, where you can view Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, fine beaches at Norwick (less than a mile from the house), Skaw, Burrafirth, Sandwick, and Lund.
The island is connected to mainland Shetland by a regular ro-ro ferry service which runs daily, from early morning until late evening, from Belmont at the south end of Unst to the neighbouring island of Yell (approximately 10 minute crossing), and from Yell to Toft on mainland Shetland (approximately 20 minute crossing).
Thanks to extensive press exposure in recent years, in particular the 'Shetland' TV detective series, and numerous wildlife programs, Shetland has become an increasingly popular tourist destination. A space port is currently under construction at Lamba Ness to the north of the property, operations there being directed from Saxa Vord.
Further information on the island can be found at:-
https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/unst
The Shetland Islands are the most northerly part of the United Kingdom being located approximately 200 miles north of Aberdeen and 200 miles west of Bergen, Norway. With over 100 islands of which 15 are inhabited, Shetland is home to 23,000 people who enjoy dramatic scenery and an abundance of wildlife, the islands being famous for its Viking heritage, knitwear, and music, and also being an ideal place to spot the northern lights.
A daily overnight ferry service from Lerwick operated by Northlink Ferries (https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk) links Shetland with Aberdeen, whilst Loganair (https://www.loganair.co.uk) operates flights from Sumburgh at the very southern tip of Shetland to Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Inverness, Edinburgh & Glasgow plus a recently introduced route to London Heathrow via Dundee, as well as connections throughout the UK, and a summer service to Bergen. Islanders are currently entitled to discounted air and ferry travel.
The property is constructed from a timber framed building which was later clad with concrete. The roof was re-clad with profile metal sheeting and the windows replaced about 15 years ago. There is an existing septic tank and the property has power and water. A mix of storage and panel heaters provide some heating.
The property which is in uninhabitable condition requires renovation. It is being sold in its current condition and no warranties will be given in respect of any contents or services.
Accommodation
Entry is from the door to the roadside which opens to a lobby with doors to a large store / workshop space to the right and a utility room to the left. Off the utility room is a wet room style shower room with electric shower, WC & wash hand basin, and the west-facing kitchen where there is a solid-fuel Rayburn stove however this has not been used for some time and would probably require replacement.
Doors from the kitchen lead to one of the bedrooms which in turn leads to the living room, both rooms facing east, and a passage with doors to two further bedrooms, one to either side of the house, a scullery, and a side lobby with second entrance door.
Rooms Sizes (All approximate)
Living Room
3.75m x 2.8m (12'3" x 9'2”)
Kitchen
4.15m x 2.8m (13’8” x 9’2”)
Shower Room
1.85m x 1.6m (6’2” x 5’3”)
Bedroom 1
4.15m x 2.35m extending to 2.8m at widest point (13’8” x 7’9" / 9’2”)
Bedroom 2
4.2m x 2.95m at widest points (13'10” x 13’)
Bedroom 3
4.25m x 2.8m (13’11” x 9’2”)
Scullery
2.5m x 1.7m (10’2” x 8’2”)
Utility Room
2.1m x 1.9m (6’10” x 6’3”)
Store / Workshop
3.85m x 2.25m extending to 3.65m at widest point (12’8” x 7’5” / 12’)
External
The site which has been de-crofted, extends to around 0.074 hectares or thereby and includes a grassed garden area plus a roofless former byre and garage. Note the boundary of the site to the northwest extends from the line of the back wall of the outbuilding not the dyke.
Council Tax
Understood to currently be Band A. Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation. Council Tax Bands may be reassessed by the Joint Valuation Board when a property is sold. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council’s website at:
Property location
To reach the property drive northwards from the ferry terminal at Belmont, continuing through Baltasound to Haroldswick. Take the second turning right to Haroldswick and follow the road past the heritage centre, Saxa Vord and the junction right to Brakefield Crescent. Follow the road straight on towards the sea, turn next left to Skaw (do not turn right to Norwick) and follow the road down the hill. ‘Braeview’ is the first house on the right.
Get more information
Important Information for Prospective Purchasers
This schedule is intended only to help you decide whether to view the property. We always recommend you view the property personally.
The information is believed to be correct, but it is not warranted and is not to form part of any contract of sale. All dates, distances, areas and room sizes noted are approximate and for use as a general guide only. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the working condition or otherwise of any equipment such as central heating or kitchen appliances.
This schedule should not be taken as a comment on the condition of the property. This is a matter for your surveyor and we recommend that once you have found a property you are interested in, you obtain a survey report. We can provide details of surveyors if required.
Interested parties are advised to note their interest through their solicitor as soon as possible so that they can be informed if a closing date is fixed. Noting interest does not place any obligation on the seller to set a closing date or to give any noted interests the opportunity to offer. Whilst every effort will be made to advise noted interests of any closing date set, this cannot be guaranteed.
No responsibility will be accepted for expenses incurred by parties who have noted interest but do not get an opportunity to offer, or for any expenses incurred traveling to properties which have been sold or withdrawn.
Harper Macleod LLP were excellent in the sale of my house. This was my first house sale and from the beginning of the process to the end they provided brilliant support and guidance. The process was made simple for me and each step was explained fully. They were very efficient and effective with communications.