4 bedroom house

Overview

Set in an unusually large decrofted site of around 0.85 acres close to the shore of Clift Sound, a stunning, remote but accessible, sparsely populated rural location just 13 miles from Lerwick, 'Gerawill' is a 'Scandinavian' style, four bedroom detached property offering spacious family accommodation with the benefit of lots of outdoor space, a southerly aspect and spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding dramatic scenery and down the coast of the south mainland of Shetland.



Presented in excellent order, the accommodation comprises an impressive, open-plan living / dining room / kitchen, separate walk-in pantry, utility room, shower, WC & porch on the ground floor, plus three double bedrooms (one with en-suite), a single bedroom, period style family bathroom with roll top bath, box / filing room and two additional stores upstairs. The integral garage has an electric garage door.



The 10.7 acre registered owner occupied croft next to the house, which stretches down to the shore, is also available separately.



This is a great property in a fantastic position - viewing essential.



General Information

'Gerawill' is situated on the island of Burra which lies off the west coast of Shetland, two bridges connecting Burra with mainland Shetland via the neighbouring island of Trondra. Burra actually comprises two islands, East & West Burra themselves connected by a fixed link, 'Gerawill' being on the less populated East Burra which overlooks Clift Sound.



Although the house is set in an unspoilt, very rural location (the wider area is a National Scenic Area) with only one other house in sight (the neighbouring cottage which sits below Gerawill), the house is conveniently located just 7 miles from Scalloway, and just 13 miles from Lerwick, putting both within easy reach. Burra does however have its own local amenities which are situated at nearby Hamnavoe, about 3 miles north of 'Gerawill', where there is a shop, the island's primary school (secondary school is in Lerwick), and a pier / marina. There is a community run outdoor centre and marina closer to the house at Bridge End where there is also a small caravan park, whilst fuel is available at the garage by the bridge over to Trondra. Additional amenities in Scalloway include several local shops (including a chemist & post office), another primary school, swimming pool and doctors' surgery.



Burra has several fine beaches includes Meal beach to the north, and Banna Minn to the south, and scenic coastal walks. The local history group runs a restored thatched croft house at Papil, and there is a croft trail at the working croft of Burland on Trondra. There is a pebble beach just below the house.



Further information about the area can be found at:-





General Information

Completed in 2006, 'Gerawill' is of 'Scandinavian' style timber frame / timber clad construction below a concrete tiled roof. Windows are double glazed and central heating is provided by 'Total Control' electric storage / panel heaters supplemented by a solid-fuel stove in the main living space. Hot water is provided by a mains pressure 'Megaflo' hot water tank with dual electric immersion heaters, housed in the under-stairs cupboard. Interlinked heat / fire alarms have just been installed to comply with the latest Scottish Government legislation. Ample built-in storage is provided with wardrobes to three bedrooms, several cupboards in the hall, a box room and also the large pantry off the kitchen.



The sale will include all carpets and other fixed floor coverings, and light fittings, along with the kitchen appliances. Note the electric chair lift will be removed prior to sale.



Accommodation

Entry to the property is via a covered porch area with hardwood decked area, the hardwood front door opening to a vestibule with a glazed inner door leading to an 'L-shaped' hall laid with hardwearing wood effect 'Karndean' flooring, with doors to the living room and kitchen, and the carpeted stair to the first floor to the right, and to the garage, a downstairs cloakroom / WC and utility room on the left. At the end the back door has ramped access with a hardwood railing, from the garden. Two built-in cupboards provide useful storage space, including a large cloak cupboard fitted with a shelf & hanging rail, the second cupboard under the stairs also housing the hot water tank and providing access to the under floor area. Three fishermen's style lanterns provide light.



The open-plan living / dining room is a super, exceptionally bright, 'L-shaped' space which wraps around the south and east sides of the house linking up with the kitchen to the rear, the large window area to three sides providing a huge amount of natural light and also taking full advantage of the stunning views over Clift Sound and the surrounding area. A cast iron solid-fuel stove set on a tiled hearth provides an impressive focal point as well as providing a cosy additional heat source to the storage heating, and engineered wood flooring is laid throughout. Four matching ceiling mounted light fittings provide artificial light.



Around to the rear, the attractively fitted kitchen which can also be accessed separately from the hall, is arranged around a tiled recess housing an electric 'Rangemaster' range cooker with double oven, grill and 5 ring induction hob, with matching cooker hood over and fitted cupboard space to either side, the cooker being included in the sale along with the freestanding fridge / freezer and dishwasher although no guarantees will be provided. There is a connection point for a bottled Calor gas supply if required. The units feature solid granite worktops and there is a 'Belfast' sink below the north-facing window and a matching peninsular unit with breakfast bar. The kitchen floor is titled. A handy, walk-in pantry (2.15m x 1.45 (7' x 4'8")), again with a north-facing window, provides a huge amount of additional storage space.



Back off the hall, the cloakroom next to the entrance door comprises a WC and wash hand basin bowl set on a pedestal base with freestanding mixer tap, stainless steel splash back, and a heated towel rail. Next is a door to the lined integral garage with insulated, electric remote control, 'up & over' garage door, double glazed side window, power & lighting, and a cold water tap. Finally there is a good-sized utility room fitted with a solid wood block worktop with inset 1½ bowl sink, with fitted cupboard space, plumbing for a washing machine and space for a tumble dryer (appliances included although no guarantees will be provided). A matching wall cupboard houses the electric meter etc. Clothes pulley and tiled floor. Off the utility room is a shower room with wet-wall lined shower enclosure with electric shower, and a tiled floor.



The carpeted landing upstairs which receives natural light via two ceiling sun pipes, leads to four bedrooms, a family bathroom, and box room / computer space, further easily accessible storage being provided by a built-in cupboard used as a linen cupboard, plus a separate walk-in cupboard with fitted light. Loft hatch to the insulated loft space.



At the top of the stairs on the right is the main bedroom, a large south-facing, carpeted room enjoying the lovely views along Clift Sound, twin built-in wardrobes each being fitted with a shelf and hanging rail, a further shelved recess providing display space for books etc. This room benefits from its own en-suite with wet-wall lined corner shower with 'rainfall' shower head, separate hand held fitting, and a glazed screen / door, plus a period style white WC and wash hand basin set on a fitted cupboard unit which provides useful space for toiletries etc. The mirror doored bathroom cabinet and shelf below are included in the sale, and the floor is tiled. Heating is provided by a wall-mounted electric fan heater & panel heater. The east-facing dormer window looks out over Clift Sound.



On the other side of the landing is the impressive, 'period' style family bathroom which attractively finished with tiling to the lower half of the walls, and the floor, and comprises a fabulous roll top bath with freestanding mixer tap with shower attachment, plus a matching WC with high level polished metal cistern, and a wash hand basin set on a matching decorative metal stand. Heating here is provided by an electric period style towel rail supplemented by a wall-mounted fan heater. The window enjoys the open view to the rear.



Next is a single bedroom, again enjoying the open view, and a carpeted box room / filing room, an ideal space with ample power sockets for a computer / potential study area. Finally at the other end of the landing are two carpeted double bedrooms, each with a built-in wardrobe with fitted hanging rail & shelving, bedroom 3 being situated to the rear of the property, bedroom 4 having a dormer window benefiting from the fine views south.



Rooms Sizes (All approximate)

On the Ground Floor:-

Open-plan Living / Dining Room / Kitchen



Living Space



7.65m x 4.15m (25'2" x 13'7")



Dining Area



4.95m x 3.85m (16'3" x 12'9")



Kitchen



3.8m x 3m (12'6" x 9'9")



Pantry



2.15m x 1.45m (7' x 4'8")



Cloakroom / WC



1.75m x 1m (5'9" x 3'3")



Utility Room



2.95m x 2.45 (9'9" x 8')



Shower Room



2.45m x 0.8m (8' x 2'8")



Integral Garage



5m x 3.8m (16'4" x 12'6")



On the First Floor:-

Bedroom 1



3.95m x 3.4m (floor area) + wardrobes (12'11" x 11'2")



En-suite Shower Room



2.5m x 2.15m at widest points (floor area) (8'3" x 7'1")



Bathroom



3m x 2.65m (floor area) (12' x 9'10")



Bedroom 2



3m x 2.3m (floor area) (9.84' x 7'5")



Box Room / Filing Room



2.15m x 1.7m (7'2" x 5'8")



Bedroom 3



3.8m x 2.65m (floor area) + wardrobe (12'6" x 8'9")



Bedroom 4



4.9m x 2.25m (floor area) + wardrobe (16' x 7'5")



External

The property sits in an unusually large decrofted garden area estimated to extend to around 0.85 acres or thereby, the access from the public road being protected by a heavy duty, galvanized steel, cattle grid with side pedestrian gate. A pink granite graveled driveway leads up to a substantial parking area outside the house and the integral garage, a gravel path also surrounding the property and leading to a ramp to the back door providing level access to the property. The garden area is fenced and mainly grassed although some areas have been allowed to grow wild to attract visiting and native birdlife. A fenced 'plantiecrub' provides a vegetable garden, and there is a rotary clothes dryer to the rear.



The size of the site provides a huge amount of outdoor space, ideal for families, and offers plenty of scope for perhaps extending the property, or erecting a polytunnel (subject to consents).



Croft Land

Also available is the owner occupied registered croft of Gerawill (register number Z0816) which is estimated to extend to around 10.7 acres (4.32 hectares) or thereby as shown on the plan. The croft land surrounds the house on the north, east and south sides, and runs alongside the shore of Clift Sound. The land is mainly grazing ground although two parks by the shore are usually cut for silage.



Included with the croft is a share in the Burra Isles Common Grazings.



The croft land includes the site of the original croft house, now derelict although retaining service connections for electricity, water and telephone, and a former byre in a similar condition. An area to the rear of the former croft house is roofed and currently used as a store. Prospective purchasers are advised that one common mains water supply serves both Gerawill and the original croft house and may wish to separate these.



There may be some development potential although this would be subject to satisfying all the regulatory authorities and obtaining the usual consents, which cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves in this regard by contacting the local planning and building standards departments of the Council directly.



The croft is registered with the Crofting Commission. Prospective purchasers requiring more information in this regard should discuss with their own agents or contact the Crofting Commission at Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW.



General information on crofting can be found on the Commission's website at:-







Council Tax

Understood to currently be Band E. Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council's website at:



Property location

To reach the property drive to the war memorial at Bridge End on Burra. At the memorial veer left to Houss and cross the bridge into East Burra. Follow the road for about 1/3 mile to the Bridge End Hall and turn left following sign for East Hogaland. This side road serves only two properties, one being 'Gerawill' which is situated at the end of the road (approximately 1 mile), just after 'Mill Pond' on the left.

Marketed by: Harper Macleod, Shetland