Hildasay Island

Reference - KA0673

Hildasay: A Rare Private Island Opportunity in Shetland

Welcome to Hildasay

An extraordinary opportunity to acquire Hildasay, a historic private island situated off the west coast of Shetland. Extending to approximately 110 hectares (267 acres), Hildasay offers a remarkable combination of privacy, natural beauty, fascinating history and the rare opportunity to own an entire Scottish island.

Surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic, Hildasay enjoys an extensive and varied coastline, two freshwater lochs, sweeping views across the surrounding islands and an abundance of wildlife. Despite its secluded setting, the island remains highly accessible from the Shetland Mainland by boat, with its own pier providing a principal landing point.

The island is home to a traditional stone-built bothy, offering basic accommodation for those wishing to spend time on Hildasay. With its own fascinating history, substantial landholding and outstanding natural surroundings, the island represents a truly unique opportunity for purchasers seeking a private retreat, a connection with nature or simply the experience of owning one of Scotland's remarkable islands.

Location

Hildasay lies off the west coast of Shetland, amongst the Scalloway Islands, a collection of islands situated to the west of the Shetland Mainland.

The island is accessed by boat, with its own pier providing a landing point. The surrounding waters separate Hildasay from the nearby mainland and neighbouring islands, creating a peaceful and exceptionally private setting.

Shetland itself is renowned for its dramatic coastline, rich maritime heritage and outstanding natural environment. The islands are connected to mainland Scotland through regular air services and ferry links, making Shetland accessible from elsewhere in the UK.

Hildasay offers the opportunity to enjoy complete separation from everyday life, whilst remaining within reach of the amenities and services available on the Shetland Mainland.

The Island

Extending to approximately 267 acres, Hildasay encompasses an impressive and varied landscape, characterised by open grassland, rocky outcrops, freshwater lochs and a dramatic coastline.

The island reaches approximately 32 metres above sea level at its highest point, providing elevated views across the surrounding sea, neighbouring islands and the wider Shetland landscape.

Two freshwater lochs form part of the island's natural environment, alongside sheltered inlets, rocky shores and extensive stretches of open land. The coastline is particularly varied, with numerous bays, voes and rocky formations contributing to the island's distinctive character.

The natural surroundings provide an exceptional environment for exploring, walking, photography, wildlife watching and enjoying the outdoors.

With no neighbouring residential properties and the surrounding sea providing a natural boundary, Hildasay offers a level of privacy and seclusion that is increasingly difficult to find.

The Bothy

Situated on the island is a traditional stone-built bothy, providing basic accommodation and a place to shelter whilst spending time on Hildasay.

Originally a croft house, the building was substantially renovated around 1992 and has subsequently been used by the owners and visitors for occasional stays. 

Internally, the accommodation comprises a living area with a solid-fuel stove, a raised open-plan sleeping area with a further stove, and a separate washroom containing a shower cubicle, wash basin and toilet.

The bothy provides a practical base from which to explore the island, with its traditional character complementing the surrounding landscape.

The building is currently understood to be watertight, although general maintenance and improvements would be required for more regular use. These include attention to windows, external painting and repairs or replacement to sections of decking.

The bothy is not connected to mains electricity. Historically, a small wind turbine and diesel generator have been used to provide power, although prospective purchasers would need to investigate and establish their own suitable off-grid electricity arrangements.

The current water supply and drainage arrangements also require further confirmation, and prospective purchasers should make their own enquiries regarding the suitability of the existing facilities.

The bothy offers a starting point for enjoying Hildasay, with any proposals for alterations, improvements or alternative uses being subject to the necessary consents.

A Fascinating History

Hildasay has a rich and varied history, shaped by centuries of island life, fishing and industry.

Although now uninhabited on a permanent basis, the island was once home to a small community. Historical records indicate that approximately 30 people lived on Hildasay in 1891, at a time when granite quarrying and herring curing were important activities.

One of the island's most distinctive features is its unusual red and green granite, which was historically quarried and used as a building material. Evidence of this industrial past remains visible across parts of the island, including former quarry workings and traces associated with the movement of stone.

The island's quarrying heritage is particularly interesting, with historical accounts describing the use of a small railway system to transport granite from the quarrying areas.

Hildasay was also associated with Shetland's once-thriving herring industry, when fishing and fish processing provided important employment and supported communities throughout the islands.

Today, the remains of former buildings and industrial activity offer a fascinating insight into the generations who once lived and worked here.

The island's history adds another dimension to an already remarkable property, providing a tangible connection to Shetland's cultural and industrial heritage.

Wildlife and Natural Environment

Hildasay offers an outstanding natural environment, with its extensive coastline, freshwater lochs and open landscape providing habitats for a variety of wildlife.

The island is particularly appealing to those interested in birdlife, with coastal and inland habitats attracting a range of species throughout the year.

The surrounding waters also support Shetland's diverse marine environment, with opportunities to observe coastal wildlife and enjoy the ever-changing scenery.

The absence of permanent habitation contributes to the island's peaceful character, allowing visitors to experience the natural surroundings with minimal interruption.

For those who enjoy walking, exploring, photography or simply spending time outdoors, Hildasay provides an exceptional setting.

A Unique Connection to Modern History
More recently, Hildasay attracted national attention when British adventurer and author Chris Lewis spent approximately three months living on the island during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Chris, who was undertaking his well-known journey around the coastline of Britain, stayed on Hildasay with his dog Jet during the restrictions.

His experience highlighted both the extraordinary beauty of the island and the realities of living in such an isolated environment, adding another fascinating chapter to Hildasay's story.

The Opportunity

Opportunities to purchase an entire Scottish island are exceptionally rare, particularly one offering such a substantial landholding, an existing bothy, a landing point and a history as interesting as Hildasay's.

For the right purchaser, the island presents the opportunity to create a truly personal retreat, enjoy an extraordinary natural environment or preserve and appreciate an important piece of Shetland's heritage.

Whether the attraction is its privacy, its wildlife, the traditional bothy, its historical significance or simply the prospect of owning an entire island, Hildasay offers something genuinely different from a conventional property purchase.

Any proposals for development, changes of use or improvements to the existing accommodation would require appropriate investigations and, where applicable, planning permission and other statutory consents.

Hildasay is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a substantial private island in one of Scotland's most distinctive coastal locations.

A rare opportunity to own your own piece of Shetland.

 
Additional Information

Land Area: Approximately 110 hectares (267 acres).

Access: By boat only. The island benefits from its own pier, although purchasers should satisfy themselves regarding its condition, suitability and access arrangements.

Existing Accommodation: Traditional stone-built bothy, formerly a croft house, providing a living area, raised sleeping area and washroom.

Electricity: No mains electricity connection. A wind turbine and diesel generator have previously been used, but purchasers would need to establish suitable arrangements.

Heating: Two solid-fuel stoves, situated within the living and sleeping areas.

Drainage: Existing arrangements are to be confirmed.

Condition: The bothy is understood to be watertight but requires general maintenance and improvements for more regular use.

Planning and Use: Purchasers should make their own enquiries with Shetland Islands Council regarding its status and any proposed future uses.