Under the plans Brough Lodge will be transformed into a retreat

A centuries-old castle on the remote Scottish island of Shetland is on the market for a comparatively paltry £30,000. However, would-be-buyers have been told they will need to fork out £12million to bring it up to scratch.

Brough Lodge on the island of Fetlar is available for less than the price of a flat – and at a price which would not even cover the deposit of a property in London.

Set in 40 acres of land, the property, which was built more than 200 years ago, comes complete with folly towers, a courtyard and walled gardens.

The Brough Lodge Trust – created in 1998 to preserve the building – is seeking what it calls a “philanthropic entrepreneur” who can breathe life into its ambitious vision.

The proposals would involve the retention of the existing building plus the creation of 24 bedrooms and a restaurant.

Brough Lodge is a category A listed building of national significance, situated on the north-west end of the island, which has a total population of just 61.

It was built in 1820 by a merchant called Arthur Nicholson, who was inspired by the architecture he admired while travelling across France, Switzerland and Italy.

The castle has been empty since the 1980s when the last Lady Nicholson moved out.

Olive Borland, the last remaining heir of the Nicholson family, transferred ownership of the entire estate to the Brough Lodge Trust in 2007 and is one of the trustees.

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Since taking over ownership of the estate, the volunteer-run trust has invested more than £500,000 raised via donations to make the property watertight and add a new roof.

The £30,000 price is significantly less than the average price of a Scottish house – calculated at £195,391 by HM Land Registry in August 2022.

But the trust believes any future investor will need to invest another £12million to complete the project.

Brough Lodge Trust director and spokesperson for the project, Drew Ratter, said: “This is a unique proposition aimed at the world of philanthropist entrepreneurs.

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“We shall carefully assess all offers and will want to ensure that the new ownership optimises benefit to the Fetlar community.“

Guests at Brough Lodge would have the opportunity to do yoga and textile classes and experience Shetland traditions of knitting and weaving, as well as enjoy spectacular views of the North Sea.

Proceeds from the sale of the lodge will go towards tuition in hand knitting for children, keeping alive a key element of the island’s artistic heritage, says the trust.

It envisages the development will bring tourism to the island, as well as create 14 jobs.

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