The Brough Lodge Trust hopes a “philanthropic entrepreneur” will see their plans to fruition
By Ashleigh Keenan-Bryce
BBC Scotland News
A castle in Shetland is on the market for just £30,000 – but any potential buyer will also need a spare £12m.
House-hunters could snap up Brough Lodge on the island of Fetlar for less than the price of a flat in Glasgow.
The 200-year-old property is set in 40 acres of land, with folly towers, a courtyard and walled gardens.
But investors have been warned that they will need deep pockets to cover the cost of the renovations it requires.
The Brough Lodge Trust has appealed for a “philanthropic entrepreneur” to take on plans to transform the site into a world-class retreat.
Their proposals would preserve the existing building, which dates back to 1820, as well as creating 24 bedrooms and a restaurant.
Image source, Brough Lodge Trust
The proposed works would cost an estimated £12 million
Brough Lodge is category A listed building of national significance and is situated on the north-west end of Fetlar.
It was built by a merchant called Arthur Nicholson and it was based on architecture he had seen while travelling in France, Switzerland and Italy.
A unique structure on the island of just 61 people, it has lain empty since the 1980s when the last Lady Nicholson moved out.
The last heir of the Nicholson family, Olive Borland, transferred ownership of the estate to the Brough Lodge Trust in 2007 and now sits on its board of trustees.
Since taking over the estate, the trust has spent more than £500,000 of donations to make the property watertight and add a new roof.
Its sale price of £30,000 is substantially less than the average price of a house in Scotland – in August last year that was calculated at £195,391 by HM Land Registry.
But the trust estimate that it will cost the buyer £12m to complete the development.
Image source, Groves-Raynes Architects
Plans by the trust would cost a potential buyer £12m to achieve and would include 24 bedrooms and a restaurant
“The vision is simple but effective,” the trust explains on its website.
“Under the plans we have developed, the building’s historic character would be fully respected.”
As well as enjoying sweeping views of the North Sea, guests at Brough Lodge would have the opportunity to do yoga and textile classes, and experience Shetland traditions of knitting and weaving.
The proceeds of the sale of the lodge would go towards tuition in hand knitting for children, keeping alive a key element of the islands’ artistic heritage, Brough Lodge Trust says.
As well as bringing tourism to the island, the trust said the proposed works would bring economic benefits to the island with the creation of 14 jobs.
Image source, Brough Lodge Trust
The unique design was inspired by buildings in Switzerland, France and Italy
