Brough Lodge

Overview

Exciting opportunity for a philanthropic individual or organisation to secure the future of Brough Lodge, an historic Grade 'A' Listed property set in around 40 acres in an idyllic coastal position on the island of Fetlar, which lies off the east coast of Mainland Shetland.



With the building now wind and watertight, Brough Lodge Trust, the owners of the property, are looking for an enlightened individual to take forward their vision for transforming this unique property into a world-class 24 bedroom retreat, proceeds from the sale going towards the Trust's work in supporting hand-knitting tuition for Shetland school children.



Situation

Brough Lodge is situated on the peaceful island of Fetlar, the smallest of Shetland's three North Isles, which lies off the east coast of the island of Yell towards the northern end of Shetland.

Known as the 'Garden of Shetland' due to its green landscape and rich fertile soil, Fetlar has a rich natural heritage and stunning scenery particularly the long, sandy beach at Tresta. Around two thirds of the island is protected in some way, either as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), a special area of conservation (SAC), or as an RSPB Reserve at Mires of Funzie.



The island is of particular interest to ornithologists as it is home to a wide variety of bird life including one of Britain's rarest breeding birds, the red necked phalarope, as well as whimbrels, red-throated divers, golden plovers, eider ducks, arctic skuas, and arctic terns, amongst many others. There are great, scenic walks around the island which is also of significant archeological and geological interest, whilst the houses at Brough Lodge and Leagarth both have interesting histories. Several lochs provide excellent trout fishing.



Access to the island is via a short 25 minute ro-ro ferry service which runs several times a day from the neighbouring islands of Yell & Unst, the crossing passing the island of Linga before venturing out to Hamars Ness at the north-western corner of Fetlar. Yell & Unst are linked to Mainland Shetland by a 20 minute ro-ro ferry from Toft about 28 miles north of Lerwick, Shetland's capital, which can be reached in just over 2 hours or so. There is also an airstrip on Fetlar although this is presently suitable only for helicopter landings.



Although remote, which is very much part of its attraction, and with a small population, Fetlar does have its own shop & post office open for a couple of hours, five days a week, and a cafe which primarily operates in the summer months. There is also a resident district nurse, community hall & camping bod, and a primary school normally offers nursery and primary schooling although this is presently mothballed. The community run museum / interpretive centre is an excellent source of further information on the island.



Shetland Islands Council currently provides a community wireless broadband scheme which has recently been upgraded.



The Shetland Islands themselves, the most northerly part of the United Kingdom, are located approximately 200 miles north of Aberdeen and 200 miles west of Bergen, Norway.



With over 100 islands, of which 16 are inhabited, Shetland is home to around 22,000 people and offers a vibrant and safe community, enjoying dramatic and unspoilt scenery, and an abundance of wildlife, the islands also being famous for its Viking heritage, knitwear and traditional music, and also an ideal place to spot the Northern Lights. In 2019 Lonely Planet's travel guide named Shetland as one of the top ten places to visit in Europe, describing the islands and an 'enchanting archipelago' for the 'hardiest of adventurers'. Numerous travel and wildlife TV programmes, and particularly the well-known 'Shetland' detective series, have increased awareness of Shetland as a tourism destination, helping to contribute to an increase in visitor numbers.



A daily overnight ferry service from Lerwick operated by Northlink Ferries ( links Shetland with Aberdeen on mainland Scotland, whilst Loganair ( operates direct flights from Sumburgh at the very southern tip of Shetland, to Aberdeen, Kirkwall, Inverness, Edinburgh & Glasgow, plus a recently introduced link to London City via Dundee, and a summer service to Bergen. Islanders are currently entitled to discounted travel on both air and ferry travel.



Lerwick (population 8,000) is Shetland's bustling main business and administration centre, and the location of Shetland's hospital, main High School, museum, Mareel cinema & music venue, and a couple of supermarkets.



The House

Brough Lodge occupies a prime site in a spectacular location on the west side of the island, the position affording stunning sea views across Colgrave Sound to the island of Hascosay and the east coast of Yell. As the small number of houses on Fetlar are situated over to the south-east of the island, the location offers a very private setting very much out on its own.



Overall the grounds are estimated to extend to around 57 acres (23 hectares) including the foreshore. This includes the site of the house and a large park to the rear, plus the surrounding grazing land of around 40 acres.



Built in 1825 by Arthur Nicolson of Lochend, a Lerwick merchant (the Nicolson Coat of Arms is set in the courtyard wall), Brough Lodge is a Grade 'A' Listed property in the castellated Gothic style and is quite unlike any other houses in Shetland. Its unique style is said to have been influenced by Arthur Nicolson's extensive tours around Europe. The house comprises the main symmetrical two storey building arranged around an oval hall, flanked by single storey wings to either side, the building having many interesting and unusual architectural details.



Immediately adjacent to the house is a courtyard accessed via a gateway, and several walled garden spaces, themselves of historical and artistic interest. On the north-east side of the house is an oval shaped, red brick tower folly, built on the site of an Iron Age broch, that was once used as an astronomical observatory. At one time the grounds included a 9 hole golf course.



The house was last occupied in the 1970s, and remained largely untouched until Brough Lodge Trust was formed in 1997 with the aim of restoring the property. Work was undertaken to conserve the building. In particular, extensive repairs were carried out between 2011 and 2014, which included replacing much of the roof structure and making the building wind and watertight. However, it still needs major internal restoration.



Further information about the house and its history, including the further detail of the proposed project, can be found on the Trust's website.



It should be noted that any work and alterations to the property will be subject to obtaining all necessary consents and prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves in this regard.



Proposed Project

The Brough Lodge Trust has given careful consideration to the most appropriate means of conserving the lodge and its ancillary buildings. The focus has been on identifying a viable use for this distinctive building.



The Trust concluded that the property is best suited to the development of a world-class 'retreat' that will delight all who visit it.



The building's historic character would be fully respected. New accommodation, sensitive to its setting, would offer up to 24 double bedrooms and other essential facilities, including an elevated dining room.



Guests participating in retreats at Brough Lodge would follow carefully curated programmes of activity. The Trust has identified textiles as a principal strand, given Shetland's global reputation as a centre of excellence in knitting and weaving. The Trust also believes that, in this peaceful setting, yoga retreats would appeal to clients. Other strands might include music, drawing on Shetland's distinctive musical heritage and wealth of local ability.



This concept was the subject of extensive discussion with conservation architects and with all the relevant authorities. The outcome was proposals which the Trust believes would realise the site's potential.



The Trust is confident that such an outcome would be of great benefit to the island community. Guests at the retreat may well participate in other activities, such as guided wildlife tours. Up to 14 jobs will be created on an island where there are few employment opportunities and where economic diversification has been identified as essential for the island's survival and future development. Further inward investment may be stimulated.



In its new role, the building will also help to expand knowledge and understanding, both within Shetland and further afield, of Fetlar's cultural heritage, which is a source of pride and confidence for the community. Educational visits to Brough Lodge would also be encouraged and dedicated space and facilities would be set aside for them.



Having carefully nurtured these plans, trustees now wish to transfer the site and buildings to a philanthropic investor who shares trustees' vision and passion and has the resources and ability to take the project forward.



Note copyright of the project plans for the building remains with the architects.

Marketed by: Harper Macleod, Shetland