House & Croft, Vatster

Key details

General Information

Vatster House and the surrounding croft is situated on the east side of the island of Yell, a couple of miles from Mid Yell, the island's main population centre.

Measuring about 19 miles long by 7½ wide, Yell is the largest of Shetland's North Isles and has a population of around 950. It is connected to Mainland Shetland by a 20 minute ro-ro ferry service which runs throughout the day from the ferry terminal at Ulsta at the south end of the island (approximately 13 miles from the house) to Toft, about 10 miles from Brae & Sullom Voe, and approximately 27 miles from Lerwick, Shetland's capital. A ferry from Gutcher at the north end of Yell runs to the neighbouring island of Unst.

The main local amenities on Yell are situated at nearby Mid Yell, these including the Junior High School (nursery, primary & secondary schooling to year 4), a leisure centre with heated indoor swimming pool, main hall, squash court & gym, health centre and a local shop, with further shops being situated at Cullivoe to the north or Aywick to the south. Mid Yell also has a small marina.

Much of Yell is uninhabited moorland, the picturesque scenery having a long and varied coastline and fine beaches at Breckon and West Sandwick. There is plenty of widelife to be seen, the island being well known as one of the best places to see otters, and there are nature reserves at Lumbister (RSPB) and the Yell Sound islands.

Further information on Yell can be found at:-

https://www.shetland.org/visit/plan/areas/yell

The Shetland Islands themselves lie in the middle of the North Sea about 100 miles north of mainland Scotland and 200 miles west of Norway. A daily overnight ferry service links Shetland with Aberdeen & Orkney (https://www.northlinkferries.com) whilst Loganair (https://www.loganair.co.uk) operates regular flights from Sumburgh Airport at the very southern tip of Shetland to Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow & Edinburgh plus a recently introduced link with London Heathrow (via Dundee). Islanders are currently entitled to discounted ferry and air fares.

Some of the contents in the house may be available by separate negotiation.

The House

'Vatster House' was newly constructed just five years ago of 'Scandanavian' style timber frame / timber clad construction below a concrete tiled roof. It is highly insulated, windows and doors are double glazed and central heating is provided by the latest 'Ducasa' digitally controllable electric radiators. The property has been designed with full wheelchair access in mind, including ramped access.

Entry is by a spacious hallway with space for coats etc. to the right and glazed double doors ahead to the living room whilst to the left, is the utility room, kitchen and day lounge, the wood laminate flooring in the hall extending into the living room and day lounge.

The living room is a spacious room with two windows to the north enjoying open views, heating being provided by an electric radiator although a contemporary style, wall-mounted, flame effect electric fire provides a cosy alternative.

Next to the living room is a large utility room with door to the garden. Here there is a solid woodblock worktop with space / plumbing below for a washing machine and tumble dryer (appliances not included) plus plenty of space for a freezer etc. (not included). Two built-in cupboards provide further storage, one housing the hot water tank. The floor is laid with large ceramic floor tiles and a hatch with pull-down ladder provides access to the loft space.

At the end of the hall, further glazed double doors lead to the kitchen, also very generously proportioned and a particularly light and airy space thanks to the triple aspect which also takes full advantage of the views. Patio doors open to the deck, the other windows face west and north. There is plenty of space for a table & chairs and the fitted units which are arranged along one wall, are finished off with solid woodblock worktops and include an integral oven and hob with mosaic tiled splashback and cooker hood over, plus a freestanding larder fridge, freezer and dishwasher, all included. The inset double bowl sink with mixer tap / hose attachment is situated below the west-facing window. The floor is laid with large ceramic tiles.

Another pair of glazed double doors by the kitchen open to the day lounge which as well as leading to the three bedrooms and the family bathroom, also a lovely, very bright extra living space enjoying a westerly aspect and lots of light thanks to two floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors in the middle which open to the massive west-facing timber deck. Two ceiling-mounted fan / light fittings cool the space in the summer.

First on the left is the spacious family bathroom which comprises a white three piece suite plus a separate corner shower enclosure. It has vinyl flooring and a heated towel rail / radiator.

Next are two large double bedrooms both enjoying the fine views east (to the sea and the island of Fetlar in the distance), both having the same wood laminate flooring. Finally at the end is the main bedroom, another sizeable room, again with plenty of natural light thanks to west-facing patio doors again opening to the deck plus borrowed light filtering through from the south-facing dressing area accessed via an archway. Again the bedroom has wood laminate flooring as does the dressing area which has fitted shelving and a hanging rail, and a tiled window shelf / dressing table below the window which neatly frames the fine view. A sliding pocket door opens to a wet room style en-suite with white WC and wash hand basin, and shower.

The hot tub on the timber deck is included in the sale.

Rooms Sizes (All approximate)

Living Room

6.45m x 4.4m (21’ x 14’4”)

Kitchen / Dining Room

6m x 4.5m (19’8” x 14’9”)

Day Lounge

12.2m x 2.5m (40’ x 8’3”)

Family Bathroom

3.3m x 2.95m (10’10” x 9’9”)

Bedroom 1

4.5m x 3.3m (14’10” x 10’10”)

Bedroom 2

4.45m x 3.3m (14’8” x 10’10”)

Main Bedroom 3

4.5m x 4m (14’9” x 13’2”)

Dressing Area

2.7m x 1.8m (8’11” x 6’)

En-suite Shower Room

1.8m x 1.65m (6' x 5'6")

Utility Room

4.4m x 2.55m at widest points including cupboards (14'4" x 8'4")

Hall

9.15m x 1.5m (30' x 5')

External

The site of the house which has been decrofted, extends to around ¼ acre or thereby. It is mainly laid with gravel for ease of maintenance.

Council Tax

Understood to currently be Band C. 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.

The Croft

As noted the croft land is estimated to extend to around 23 acres (9.3 hectares) as shown on the plan (not to scale) comprising the owner occupied registered croft of Vatsetter (Register No. Z2851). The croft land is situated to the north of the house and extends to the shore.

Included on the croft is a large agricultural shed (approximately 18m x 9m (60' x 30')) which was built about 20 years ago. It has large garage doors and a separate side entrance. There are yard areas to either side which include the stone walls of a former croft house which could perhaps form the basis for additional accommodation although any alterations would be subject to the usual consents required.

No stock is included. A small area of ground at the sound end of the croft is being retained. This will be pointed out at the time of viewing.

As the croft is registered it is subject to crofting tenure. Prospective purchasers requiring more information in this regard should discuss with their own agents or contact the Crofting Commission directly at Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW. Further general information on crofting can be found on the Commission's website at:

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

Property location

To reach the property drive north from the ferry terminal to Mid Yell. Drive into the village and turn left following signs for Mid Yell, Aywick and the leisure centre. Follow the road down towards the pier passing the school and leisure centre on the right. Do not turn left to the pier but follow the road southwards to the right and continue along the straight section of road passing a row of semi-detached houses on the left. After about 1½ miles turn left to Vatsetter. Follow the road down to the causeway and continue right to the end of the road (to the right then left) where there is a turning area and the access to Vatster House.