There's usually a good range of property for sale in Shetland, but one home that's recently been put on the market will appeal to those with a sense of adventure.
"Jackville" is a Category B Listed Building and was built in 1834 for a Captain Jack and his wife. It stands in 54 acres of land at the southern tip of Strom Ness, a peninsula on Shetland's west mainland. Although it's only about twelve miles from Lerwick, access is, as the selling solicitor explains, "not for the faint hearted, although that is part of its appeal". There is no road to the house, and although it's possible to reach the nearest main road by walking northwards for about two hours, it takes just five minutes to reach the opposite shore by small boat.
The house has been little used in recent years and needs extensive renovation. However, it comes with lots of land, a walled garden, a large outbuilding, a boat house and its own pier. There are three double bedrooms, together with living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, scullery, store-room and porch. There's mains water and a telephone connection but electricity would need to be provided by a small wind turbine or some other means. A new septic tank will be needed, too.
It could well be an idyllic home for someone; offers over £150,000 are invited.
Property in Shetland (as in most of Scotland outside the major cities) is invariably sold by firms of solicitors and there are several in Shetland, namely Anderson and Goodlad, Dowle, Smith and Rutherford; Neil Risk; Tait and Peterson; Michael Inkster; and Inkster's. Most property advertisements invite offers over a particular price, although fixed prices are occasionally specified. Prices are generally highest in and around Lerwick, declining gradually towards remoter parts of the islands; overall, though, the price of building land and houses is substantially lower than in many parts of the UK.