Graveland - Lot 1, Yell, Shetland, Shetland Islands

Lot 1 of 3

Lot 1 – Graveland
Graveland is the most northerly and largest lot within the portfolio and extends in total to approximately 1,160.98 acres (469.83 Ha) and includes the foreshore. The subjects are extensive and remote in places and includes numerous hill lochs such as Houlis Water, Loch of Graveland, Virdi Water and Cro Waters which provide some excellent wild trout fishing and are also famous for being a habitat for the red-throated diver.

The land is extremely diverse with a combination of extensive peatland and grazing interspersed by various hill lochs. The dramatic coastline cliffs are a further feature and the land lies between sea level and approximately 110 metres above sea level.

The land is graded as a combination of grades 5.3 and 6 which generally means rough grazing and moorland however there is an area of improved pasture at the southeast of the lot.

Graveland has a substantial amount of peat and may have potential for a peatland restoration project and generating certified carbon credits. An introductory report is available to potential purchaser with regards to natural capital, peatland/biodiversity and please do not hesitate to contact the selling agents for this.

The land has some former ruinous croft buildings located towards the southeast boundary area and may provide a location for some development into residential property subject to applying for and obtaining planning consent.

Designations/Listings
We note from Nature Scot ‘Sitelink’ website and note that the estate is designated as follows:

The land at Graveland is designated as part of the Otterswick & Graceland Special Protection Area which is also a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific interest). These designations are in respect of the Red Throated Diver (Gavia Stellata).

Basic Payment Scheme
The entitlements are included in the sale. There are 65.34 Region 1 and 436.87 region 2.
The payment in relation to the current farming year will be retained by the seller.

Location
The Island of Yell lies at the north-west of the Shetland archipelago, has a population of around 950 people and has a surface area of approximately 873 square miles. Yell is the second largest Island in Shetland and is stunningly beautiful with a huge variety of coastal scenery, sandy beaches, moorland and a history dating back to neolithic times with evidence of 12 broch sites. The Shetland Islands are known for their Viking heritage who settled during the Norse period and many place names and features in the Island are Norse words. The Shetland isles are renowned for the abundance of wildlife being a particular magnet for bird watchers, whilst the coastal waters provide opportunities to observe dolphins, Orcas etc.

Locally mid-Yell has a local shop, medical centre, leisure centre and junior high school whilst the ferry terminal at Ulsta provides rapid transit to the Shetland Mainland and beyond by ferry. The main settlement on Shetland is Lerwick which has a population of around 7,500 and was founded in the 1600s. Lerwick is a busy fishing port and is the main port for the Northlink Fery which plies between Shetland and the City of Aberdeen in northeast Scotland daily. The town has a wide range of commercial, educational, cultural, and service amenities.

The main airport in Shetland is located at Sumburgh at the southern tip of the islands and has good range of flights to Kirkwall, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. The airport is also a busy helicopter terminal serving the offshore oil rigs to the north east and west of Shetland.