Brough Lodge, a magnificent castle located on the island of Fetlar in Shetland, is currently on the market with an astonishingly low price tag of £30,000. However,

potential buyers should be aware that an additional £12 million investment is needed for the extensive refurbishment of the 200-year-old property.

Situated on 40 acres of land, Brough Lodge boasts beautiful features such as folly towers, a courtyard, and walled gardens. The Brough Lodge Trust, established in 1998 to preserve the castle, is now seeking a visionary "philanthropic entrepreneur" who can fulfill their ambitious plans to transform the site into a world-class retreat.

The proposed development aims to maintain the castle's existing structure while adding 24 bedrooms and a restaurant. Brough Lodge is a category A listed building of national significance and holds a unique place on the island of Fetlar, home to only 61 residents. It was constructed in 1820 by merchant Arthur Nicolson, inspired by architectural influences from France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Since the last Lady Nicolson vacated the property in the 1980s, Brough Lodge has remained unoccupied. In 2007, Olive Borland, the final heir of the Nicolson family, transferred ownership to the Brough Lodge Trust, where she serves as one of the trustees. Through generous donations, the volunteer-run trust has already invested over £500,000 to ensure the property is weatherproof and has a new roof.

While the sale price of £30,000 is significantly lower than the average house price in Scotland, estimated at £195,391 in August of the previous year, the trust cautions that completing the proposed renovations will require an estimated £12 million investment.

The trust's website explains their vision: to fully respect the building's historical character while providing guests with sweeping views of the North Sea and unique experiences such as yoga and textile classes, as well as immersion in Shetland's knitting and weaving traditions. The proceeds from the sale of Brough Lodge will contribute to teaching hand knitting to children, preserving an essential element of the islands' artistic heritage.

The trust also envisions the project bringing tourism to the island and stimulating the local economy by creating 14 new jobs. Photo by Ken Craig, Wikimedia commons.