One-Third Off

The auction for Hurdiback, Papa Stour, took place on Friday night and bids could be made in person, by phone or internet. The telephone box outside the former-hostel section of the crofthouse (above) was not in action, however. The property was featured here on Friday 4 January and had a guide price of £120k. The hammer came down at £80k, although the buyer remains anonymous at present. The factors that would repress the price of any property, probably included the expense of undertaking renovation work on an extensive, remote off-shore island croft; the declining population of Papa Stour; the future of its, and other island ferry services, that will be decided at a full Shetland Council meeting on Monday 4 February. The place certainly has its attractions, however, with compelling land- and sea-scapes, an infrastructure, a 'mothballed' school and a kirk that has been its present size since 1806, with re-roofing in 1930 and restoration work in 2006. It has withstood changes.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of sales and sailings