Dowle, Smith & Rutherford

Unique opportunity to acquire a substantial detached former manse, set in around one acre mainly walled grounds, in idyllic ‘get-away-from-it-all’ location close to the fine beach at Tresta on the island of Fetlar, ‘the Garden of Shetland’.

The property enjoys spectacular views over Tresta beach, Papil Water, Lamb Hoga & the Wick of Tresta .

The extensive accommodation in this grade C(S) listed property is on three floors and includes two large reception rooms, five bedrooms (two with en-suite shower rooms), two bathrooms and a large kitchen with scullery, larder & utility / laundry room off. Oil-fired central heating is supplied by a ‘Rayburn’ stove in the kitchen.

The grounds include several outbuildings, including a substantial former byre (41’ x 12’) which has been re-roofed in recent times, and may have the potential for conversion to residential use.

Fetlar, which has a primary school & shop, is linked to mainland Shetland by a regular ro-ro ferry service which runs via the neighbouring islands of Yell & Unst.

A Home Report is available for this property.

Price:	OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £155,000
Entry:	By arrangement.
Viewing:	Viewing in essential to fully appreciate the setting and potential of this property - please telephone the sellers Mr & Mrs Kelly direct on 01957 733242, or contact our reception.
Rooms:	Porch, Hall, Sittingroom, Dining room, Kitchen, five Bedrooms, two En-suite Shower rooms, two Bathrooms, Toilet, Scullery, Larder, Utility / Laundry room, Box room, Double Garage & several Outbuildings.

General Information

‘The Glebe’ dates back to 1756 and was originally the manse for the island’s West Kirk. The house was later extended to the front & rear in the mid-to-late 1800’s.

The property is attractively situated close to the fine beach at Tresta, within its own mainly walled grounds which are estimated to extend to around an acre. There are fine views to the south & west over the beach at Tresta, Papil Water, Lamb Hoga & the Wick of Tresta.

John Tudor, a traveller who visited around 1880 noted: ‘The Manse of Tresta is, with the exception of Tingwall, the most beautifully situated parsonage in the islands, and covered as it is in the summer time with wild trailing honey-suckle, and surrounded by small elderberry trees, has a very south of Pentland Firth feel about it.’

The property which is Grade C(S) listed, is mostly of stone construction with a wet harl finish and a mainly slate roof. A number of windows have been replaced with new hardwood sash & case units to match the originals, and central heating is provided throughout the house supplied by an oil-fired ‘Rayburn’ stove in the kitchen. There are a number of fireplaces although all the chimneys are presently capped with the exception of those serving the ‘Rayburn’ and a solid fuel stove in the utility room. The house has a private water supply (shared with three other houses) and cesspit. There is a telephone point on each floor and broadband is available.

Although the property requires general refurbishment, it offers enormous potential. Due to its size, the extensive grounds and the setting, it is an ideal family property (there is also a primary school on the island), or alternatively it could be used as a B&B as has been the case in the past, particularly as the island offers much of interest to visitors.

Location

Known as the ‘garden of Shetland’ due to its green landscape and fertile soil, Fetlar has a rich natural heritage and stunning scenic beauty. It is an ornithologists’ paradise as there is an RSPB reserve and a wide variety of bird life can be seen including one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds, the red necked phalarope, plus whimbrels, red-throated divers, golden plovers, eider ducks, arctic skuas, arctic terns amongst many others. The island is also of significant geological and archaeological interest and both the houses at Brough Lodge & Leagarth have interesting histories. The community run museum / interpretive centre is an excellent source of further information on the island.

The island has a population of around 50 with amenities including a local primary school, shop & post office (open for a couple of hours, five days a week), resident district nurse (a doctor visits once a fortnight), community hall with café in the summer months, weekly club night & bar plus other functions, a camping bod, church & religious community.

A subsidised ro-ro ferry service which runs to the neighbouring islands of Yell & Unst (25 minute crossing) and from Ulsta on Yell to Toft (20 minutes), provides a link with mainland Shetland. There is an airstrip for emergency use, although it is understood that it can be used for small private planes.

Further information on Fetlar can be found at:- www.fetlar.com www.fetlar.shetland.sch.uk www.rspb.org.uk www.initiative-at-the-edge.org.uk
www.shetland-heritage.co.uk

Accommodation

On the Ground Floor:-

PORCH

(Approx. 2.9m x 2.4m) (9‘6” x 7‘11”) The porch was renewed in ???? and is now double glazed although the original tiled floor remains. Door leading to the main hall, & radiator.

HALL

(Generally overall approx. 3.65m x 3.5m at widest points) (12‘ x 11‘7”) With doors to the dining room, kitchen, double bedroom & shower room, plus stairs with original banister and cupboard space below, to the first floor. Radiator.

DINING ROOM

(Approx. 5m x 4.6m) (16‘6” x 15‘) Good-sized dual-aspect room with windows to the south-east & south- west. Original cornice, picture rail and fireplace surround retained, and two radiators.

KITCHEN

(Approx. 4.75m x 4.4m) (15‘7” x 14‘6”) Spacious modern fitted kitchen with two windows facing south-east and an internal window to the porch. The extensive units provide plenty of cupboard & worktop space and include a large island unit. An oil-fired ‘Rayburn’ stove provides cooking facilities and also supplies the central heating system. Two doors from the kitchen lead to a scullery & larder, and a back hallway leading to the utility / laundry room and a toilet.

SCULLERY

(Approx. 2.3m x 2m) (7‘6” x 6‘6”) Wet-wall lined scullery with fitted sink unit, plumbing for a dishwasher & north facing window, plus useful shelved LARDER (approx. 2.4m x 2.3m) (8‘ x 7‘6”) off, also wet-wall lined. The larder can also be accessed from the rear hallway.

REAR HALLWAY

(Approx. 4.6m x 1m extending to 2.05m at widest point) (15‘ x 3‘3” / 6‘9”) Leading to the utility room, with back door, tool room, wood / fuel store & radiator.

UTILITY / LAUNDRY ROOM

(Overall approx. 4.5m x 2.75m) (14‘9” x 9‘) Large utility room with two ‘Belfast’ sinks, plumbing for a washing machine, solid-fuel stove, and TOILET off. A further back door leads to a drying green to the rear of the house.

Back off the hall, is a large double bedroom & shower room:-

SHOWER ROOM

(Approx. 3.1m x 1.45m) (10‘2” x 4‘9”) Large wet-wall lined shower room fitted out for disabled access, with wet room style shower with ‘Triton’ electric shower, W.C. & wash hand basin. Radiator. A second door leads to the adjoining bedroom creating an en-suite if required.

BEDROOM 1

(Approx. 4.85m x 4.4m) (15‘11” x 14‘6”) Spacious double bedroom which was originally a dining room, with windows to three sides and view to Papil Water. Original fireplace surround, & radiator.

On the First Floor:-

LANDING

With plenty of natural light provided by a large window faces south-east plus tall stained glass window over the stairs. Linen cupboard & two radiators.

SITTINGROOM

(Approx. 5m x 4.55m) (16‘5” x 14‘10”) Well-proportioned main reception room, again with a dual-aspect, original cornice & picture rail. Fireplace surround & two radiators.

BEDROOM 2

(Approx. 4.4m x 3.1m) (14‘6” x 10‘3”) Bright double room with windows to the south-east & south-west, and original fireplace surround. Two radiators.

EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM

(Approx. 1.75m x 1.2m) (5‘9” x 3‘11”) Wet-wall shower room off bedroom 2, with ‘Mira’ shower, W.C. & wash hand basin. Radiator.

BATHROOM

(Approx. 3.35m x 2.3m) (11‘ x 7‘6”) Large part wet-walled bathroom with bath, W.C. & wash hand basin plus walk-in shower enclosure with ‘Triton’ electric shower. Radiator.

BEDROOM 3

(Approx. 4.45m x 3.85m) (14‘6” x 12‘8”) Large double bedroom, with windows to the south-west & north-west, original fireplace & two radiators.

On the Second Floor:-

LANDING

The main part of the second floor landing landing leads to two further double bedrooms and another bathroom. A couple of steps lead to a further passageway with built-in cupboards either side, and onwards to the former MAID’S ROOM (overall approx. 5.05m x 2.45m (floor area)) (16‘6” x 8‘) which is currently used for storage but has the potential to provide an additional bedroom (subject to any consents). Two skylights & access to the eaves space.

BEDROOM 4

(Approx. 4.3m x 3.2m (floor area)) (14‘1” x 10‘7”) Double bedroom with windows to the south-east & south-west, fireplace surround & radiator.

BATHROOM

(Approx. 3.05m x 2.95m (floor area)) (10‘ x 9‘7”) With bath, W.C. & wash hand basin, & radiator.

BEDROOM 5

(Approx. 4.05m x 3.2m (floor area)) (13‘4” x 10‘6”) Fifth double bedroom, again with dual aspect, fireplace surround & radiator.

Grounds & Outbuildings

As noted the property sits in grounds estimated to extend to around an acre or thereby. These are mostly enclosed by stone dykes with the exception of the boundary to the roadside which is fenced. The entrance to the property is from the road leading down to Tresta Beach where a gate with cast iron railings to the wall either side leads to a side lawn and up to the porch. In front of the house to the west lies a large lawn, both areas of lawn being sheltered by well-established trees which screen the house helping to create a wonderfully secluded and private garden area.

Immediately behind the house lies is a stone-built former BARN (overall approx. 12.4m x 3.55m) (40‘9” x 11‘7”) part of which was originally known as ‘The Bothy’, which was re-roofed around 2000. At the same time the windows were replaced and new conservation rooflights fitted. It is thought this substantial building could have the potential for conversion to residential use, perhaps for self-catering accommodation, although this would be subject to the usual consents and prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves in this regard.

In the front of the building is a former stock yard plus in the far south-east corner of the grounds, a large predominately stone-built DOUBLE GARAGE (approx. 9.3m x 3.8m) (30‘6” x 12‘5”), with generator link. Behind the garage is a BYRE although this requires attention. A large park to the north of the house which includes the remains of a further outbuilding in the north-east corner, completes the grounds.