Hildasay Island off the west coast of Shetland offers spectacular views and birdlife, but no real creature comforts.
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Phone-free retreats are on the rise as more and more of us want to switch off for the sake of our mental health.
If you’re looking for a more permanent off-grid solution – and have £350,000 (€414,000) to spare – you might just want to take a look at this remote Scottish island that just went up for sale.
Found just off the west coast of Shetland, Hildasay Island spans some 110 hectares and is only accessible by boat.
While the island was once occupied by a small community in the 19th century, today the only thing you’ll find (aside from spectacular views, and peace and quiet) is a traditional stone-built bothy and a small pier.
An off-grid retreat
A stay on Hildasay is the definition of off-grid: The bothy isn’t connected to mains electricity.
Previous owners have made use of a small wind turbine and diesel generator, but would-be buyers will need to sort this out for themselves, according to Kelvin Anderson, the estate agent managing the sale.
The accommodation includes a living area with a solid-fuel stove, a raised open-plan sleeping area, and a separate bathroom with a shower, wash basin and toilets.
Those looking to upgrade the digs would need to get planning permission and other statutory consents, so this property is best suited for those who like to get back-to-basics.
On the plus side, you can expect unbeatable scenery, with a rugged coastline and two freshwater lochs, as well as an abundance of birdlife that changes through the seasons.
Hildasay hit the headlines following the publication of “Finding Hildasay: How one man walked the UK's coastline and found hope and happiness”, following Chris Lewis’ three-month stay on the island during the pandemic.
A crowdfunding campaign to help Lewis buy the island was proposed but later abandoned, the Shetland Times reported earlier this month.
