Three bedroom renovated house & 270 acres,

Key details

Overview

Unique opportunity to acquire a fully renovated, three bedroom detached house, effectively a new build, together with around 32 acres non-croft land plus three registered Apportionments totaling 237 acres, a substantial agricultural shed and a separate large garage / tractor shed / workshop, in an attractive rural situation at South Nesting approximately 12 miles north of Lerwick.

The house is situated on its own in the middle of the land well away from other houses, and enjoys spectacular all round views in particular south to the Loch of Benston and beyond to the voes of Vassa Voe and Cat Firth.

In addition to three bedrooms, the triple glazed, single storey accommodation also includes a bright living / dining room / kitchen, bathroom, separate shower room, front porch, rear porch / utility area & boiler room. Renovated to a high standard it offers all the comforts of a modern property within a more traditional exterior.

This is a great opportunity for anyone with farming ambitions.

Location

The property is situated at Skellister in the South Nesting area of Shetland approximately 12 miles north of Lerwick, the location putting both Lerwick and also Brae / Sullom Voe within easy reach.

The house is particularly attractively situated being set on its own in the middle of the land and enjoying a south-facing aspect and stunning views over the Loch of Benston to the voes of Vassa Voe and Cat Firth and beyond to the headlands of Wadbister & Breiwick in the distance. The house is conveniently situated for easy access to local amenities in the area, both the primary school and the shop being within a mile of the house, the primary school being within easy walking distance via a track running eastwards from the house (secondary schooling is in Lerwick). The local shop has a post office, and there is a public hall by the school which has its own community-owned caravan and camping site. Further information about the local area can be found at:

https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/delting-lunnasting-nesting

Benswall House

The house has been extensively renovated to a high standard in 2021 / 2022, the original building to the front having been taken right back to the external walls and roof timbers, the roof then being re-slated and the interior re-lined and insulated with 'Kingspan'. The two flat roofed extensions to the side and rear were completely re-built, the rear extension being clad with larch as a feature. Windows and doors are 'NorDan' triple glazed units and underfloor heating (the floor coverings are laid on concrete floors) and hot water are provided by a 'Worcester' oil-fired combi boiler, all the rooms having individual thermostats for increased comfort and efficiency, also the system has been set up to allow for the replacement of the oil-fired boiler by an air source heat pump if required. There is also a 'Zehnder' whole house heat recovery & ventilation unit. The septic tank and filter are new as are the kitchen (including appliances) and the shower rooms. The house therefore provides all the comforts and efficiency of a modern home housed within a traditional exterior.

Ample power points are provided to all the rooms, a couple of sockets in each bedroom incorporating USB charging points, and all have low energy recessed ceiling spotlighting. There is a wired internet network with outlet sockets in the main rooms. Internal doors are oak faced and all the windows have solid oak window cills. The furniture in the house is included in the sale with the exception of the TV and one double settee.

Accommodation

The main entrance is to the south side of the property via an entrance porch with west-facing window, large ceramic tiled floor, and doors to the main living space, a shower room and the boiler room, the shower room providing additional bathroom facilities including a corner shower plus a WC and wash hand basin with mirror doored bathroom cabinet with integral light over. Like the entrance porch the floor has similar ceramic floor tiles, this time in a grey colour.

The tiles in the lobby extend into the boiler room which houses the central heating boiler and also provides a handy separate entrance conveniently located next to the shower room for cleaning up.

The living / dining room / kitchen is a lovely bright room benefiting from two bay windows and a glazed entrance door facing south and enjoying the stunning views, the door offering a quick access for sitting outside in the sun, the whole space being laid with engineered wood flooring. A second smaller window to the side faces east.

The kitchen area is attractively fitted with 'Wren' units in a cream finish set off by grey worktops and upstands the units providing ample cupboard and worktop space and including an integral oven and induction hob with concealed cooker hood over, plus a concealed integrated fridge and dishwasher. The inset 1½ bowl sink in a contemporary black finish has a 'Quooker' instant hot water tap.

A door at the rear of the living space leads to a rear hallway and the remaining accommodation, pipework for the underfloor heating being neatly concealed by an oak cabinet, the controls for the heating, telephone / internet points, fuse boxes and also a generator point being conveniently situated above. The generator (currently stored in the shed / workshop and included in the sale) is wired to the nearest socket in the kitchen, the telephone / internet socket and the central heating boiler allowing for hot water and continued internet / Wi-Fi use should there be a power cut. A hatch with pull-down ladder provides easy access to floored storage space in the loft.

The same engineered wood flooring in the living room extends into the hall and throughout the rest of the property. On entering the hall doors either side lead to two of the bedrooms, bedroom 1 to the left facing west. Bedroom 2 to the right faces north and has a small cupboard with an oak door containing the electric meter. At the end of the hall is a small, east-facing box room with window which could potentially be used as a small office space, and the third main bedroom which enjoys a distant view to the sea to the north-east.

Finally, another door from the hall leads to a rear lobby / utility area with further entrance door and plumbing for a washing machine and space for a tumble dryer (appliances included), with fitted wall unit over. Off the lobby is the main family bathroom which conveniently also has a door to the main bedroom allowing used as an en-suite if required. Here there is a double-ended bath with centrally mounted mixer tap and shower over, plus a WC and wash hand basin set in a run of fitted units which provides handy storage space for toiletries etc. and also conceals the cistern, the wash hand basin having an additional unit with integral mirror and spotlight over. Both the lobby and bathroom have the same large ceramic tiles laid to the floor as the entrance porch and shower room.

Rooms Sizes (All approximate)

Living / Dining Room / Kitchen

7.7m x 3.6m (25’3” x 11’10”)

Bedroom 1

3.35m x 2.65m at widest points (11’ x 8’8”)

Bedroom 2

3.4m x 2.6m at widest points (11’1” x 8’6”)

Main Bedroom 3

3.85m x 3.2m (12’7” x 10’6”)

Family Bathroom

2.65m x 2.2m (8’8” x 7’3”)

Shower Room

2.05m x 1.75m (6’8” x 5’10”)

Box Room

1.55m x 1.3m (5’ x 4’4”)

Entrance Porch

2.9m x 1.8m (9’6” x 6’)

Boiler Room

2.9m x 1.05m (9’6” x 3’5”)

Rear Lobby / Utility Area

2.2m x 1.85m (7’3” x 6’1”)

Immediate Garden Area

The house sits in a fenced site estimated to extend overall to just over ½ acre or thereby, the entrance to the garden being protected by a cattle grid. A concrete path provides a level access to the front door and around to the two doors at the rear, a gravel path surrounding the remainder of the house.

Immediately in front of the house is a gently sloping garden area which has been re-seeded, this space providing a great place to sit and enjoy the stunning views. The access track continues past the house to the rear where there are two parking spaces and an external cold water tap immediately outside the back door, plus a purpose-built enclosure providing space for wheelie bins and a generator (not included) and also housing the oil tank.

A grassed area separates the house from the substantial tractor shed / workshop to the rear. This substantial block-built building which has single phase power and lighting, has recently been re-harled, re-roofed with profile metal sheeting, and had new uPVC windows and door fitted. It comprises two linked spaces approximately 8.8m x 5.7m plus 8.8m x 7.2m (29’ x 19’ + 29’ x 24’), each space having a large roller shutter door approximately 3.5m wide x 3.2m high. Access is via the west most half which has an inspection pit. Part of the east-most half has been partitioned off to create a restroom space (approximately 3.5m x 2.9m (11’6” x 9’6”) and includes a run of kitchen units including a sink, and a WC.

There is a large parking area outside the shed / workshop.

The Land

The land extends in total to approximately 110 hectares (270 acres). Click here to see a plan of the land. This includes the non-croft holding of Benston (12.82 hectares (32 acres) shaded red on the plan) where the house and buildings are situated, plus three Apportionments (green areas on the two plans), one lying immediately to the west of Benston (12.3 hectares (30 acres)), plus two further Apportionments at the Lang Kames (83.67 hectares (207 acres)).

The house sits in the middle of the Benston holding which is mainly grazing ground although the park between the house and the agricultural shed is usually cut for silage. Access to the house is via a track from the public road to the west. The track does continue eastwards to the large agricultural building to the east however this is presently suitable only for a tractor / four wheel drive vehicle.

The agricultural shed which was originally built in 1992 and later re-clad and re-wired in 2016, measures approximately 18m x 18m and is of steel portal frame construction clad externally with profile metal sheeting. It has sliding doors at both ends, a separate side entrance, power and water. The section to the west has been slatted. To allow for cleaning out doors at the south end provide access to the lower floor area for this purpose.

Situated close by the agricultural shed is the house at Benston, a stone shell with separate mains power, that was stripped out and re-roofed with insulated profiled metal sheeting in the early 1990’s to protect the common gable end of its semi-detached neighbour which at the time was occupied.

The holding extends around the house at Benston to the loop road to the east, and includes a further area which stretches up towards the public hall. The access track to the house at Benston and the agricultural shed has an entrance gate opposite the red phone box from the loop road through the east side of the property.

The non-croft holding of Benston is owned outright. The three Apportionments are understood to be rights which run with the non-croft holding but are registered with the Crofting Commission. Prospective purchasers requiring more information / advice in this regard should discuss with their own Agents or contact the Crofting Commission at Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW.

The two apportionments in The Lang Kames have benefitted from peatland restoration funded by The Scottish Government. The project was completed in 2020 and the land has a development restriction until 2030.

General information on crofting can be found on the Commission's website at:

https://www.crofting.scotland.gov.uk/crofting-development

The holding’s flock of around 150 sheep can be included in the sale if required. No entitlements are included but the seller would be willing to discuss the sale of these separately.

There may be future development potential on the land although any development would be subject to the usual consents required and prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves in this regard.

Photos taken April 2023.

Council Tax

Awaiting assessment. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council’s website at:

http://www.shetland.gov.uk/counciltax/charges.asp

Property location

To reach the property take the B9075 South Nesting road from the main A970 Lerwick – Brae road north. Drive to the local shop continue straight on towards Billister & North Nesting. Immediately after a small loch (Loch of Houlland) on the left, a short distance from the shop, is a track to the right (with Benswall on the name board and protected by a cattle grid) which leads to the house which is not visible at this point.