For Sale: Out Skerries, Shetland

[wellinghall]

"A small archipelego centred around two main islands 25 miles north east of Lerwick, Shetland and extending to about 600 acres in all. Wonderful seabird life. Regular ferry crossings. For sale as a whole or in 5 lots.

Out Skerries forms a remote and beautiful island group. Housay and Bruray are the two main inhabited islands and they are linked by a bridge. In early summer the islands are covered in wild flowers and they are particularly famed for their splendid bird life. The sea around the islands provides excellent fishing with mackerel,flounder,lobster and crabs in abundance. There is excellent sailing and there are frequent sightings of Seals, Whales and Porpoises. The main islands are held under crofting tenure. The Crofting community have been offered the opportunity to register their interest inacquiring the property but have formally declined from doing so. Further information is available from the selling agents, http://search.knightfrank.com/edn100122."

Price variously reported as £250k (http://www.shetlink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10030) and £400k (The Times). Anyone want to chip in?

Comments

[adaese.livejournal.com]

That seems quite a lot for £167 rental income p.a. from crofts, plus a couple of derelict buildings.

On the other hand they do have some spectacular birdlife, according to the brochure - I've never even heard of terus or fulwars. I wonder if they get terns and fulmars as well?

[muuranker.livejournal.com]

I would want to know why the crofters declined the opportunity, but providing it was something ok, I would be happy to buy a small share.

I would hope, however, that some charitable concern would make the purchase, and enable the continued existence of both human and non-human residents/heritage.

[adaese.livejournal.com]

My guess would be, because it's worth the paper the title deeds are printed on. The crofters are protected not only by crofting law, but by (norse) Udal law as well, so apart from the peppercorn rent and not being able to sell on, they pretty nearly own their own land. I don't think you need worry too much about continued human existence - or at least, a change of "ownership" isn't going to make much difference.

I suspect whoever does buy it doesn't get much more than the abovementioned two derelict buildings and the buzz that comes of knowing they own several islands. I suppose you could always camp on one of the outer islands, if you had a boat.

[widsidh.livejournal.com]

They probably can't afford to, and I share your hope that it gets acquired by someone sensible!

Sorry to be downbeat, but this kind of thing is is a real problem in parts of the Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides.

[malaheed.livejournal.com]

Sigh. So I can afford to buy a group of islands and yet I cannot afford to buy a half decent place to live in the SE of England. Rah! Go capitalism go!