This Edition’s Unique Property Feature Introduction:-
Unique People
We love you – not the Daleks, it’s our readers we have great affection for.
From A Golden Dalek To A New Readership of 318 Million Folk?
A unique odyssey of a journey
As so often happens when starting to write a new edition of Unique Property Bulletin, we end up in entirely different place to the one where we were originally headed towards. A deliberate detour is what we have come to enjoy from time to time. Serendipity and happenstance. We always go with this flow when faced with a fascinating path to follow. History has taught us that very interesting things occur when you take the road less travelled. So we have bumped the Cornish tin mines and watermills to a future Bulletin. This time round we have an unprecedented number of islands for sale. However, the main dedication here is to our readers who have come to the aid of our small band of volunteers. More about this and where our new friends have inspired us to go later in the main feature section.
Fancy A Look Inside?
Better still – would you like to live here?
Any ideas what it is? Hint: there is a booming amount of room below…
Previous Tenant Has Now Rocketed Away!
The full feature – later in this edition.
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Regular Bulletin Listings Now Follow
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Island & Fort – Truly Unique
Palmerston Military Palace in Pembrokeshire – Island 1
Thorn Island Fort, Angle, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Alternatively spelt “Thorne Island”
Thorne Island is situated close to the Pembrokeshire coast. A short boat trip to Milford Haven and about quarter of a mile offshore from the sandy beach of West Angle Bay.
Thorn Island Fort – Layout
The accommodation is contained primarily on the ground floor level around a large courtyard and had more recently been two bars, cloakrooms, games room, dining room, kitchen, nine/ten bedrooms (depending on format/layout), a shower room, two bathrooms, a sauna, two self-catering kitchens, a laundry and other ancillary rooms.
Thorn Island Fort – Interior Bedroom
More barracks than boudoir
Thorn Island Fort – Interior Lounge Area
Thorne Island has been uninhabited for a considerable time with some interiors are in a state of disrepair and it is envisaged a new owner will wish to reconfigure the accommodation.
Thorn Island – One of Many Bedrooms
Historical Note: The fort on Thorne Island was constructed of local stone between 1852 and 1854 as an outer defence to Milford Haven (back then a large naval base). It was designed for a garrison of 100 men. It was sold by the state in 1932 for conversion to a hotel and is Grade II* Listed as a well preserved Fort of Lord Palmerston’s Haven defences.
Possible mainland to island access solution – an idea just for fun…
Click on the following picture to see the monorail cycle pods in action…
Cycle Monorails May Have An Interesting Future – But Over Water? Not So Sure.
Thorn Island, Angle, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Address: Thorn Island, Angle, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, SA71 5BE
Guide: £550,000
Further Details: Click Here
Research Information (2011 sale): Click Here
Google Interactive Map Location: Click Here
Google Interactive 3D Streetview: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Please check with agent/owner that any given property is STILL for sale BEFORE travelling to view.
Contact – Tel Knight Frank Agencies: 01432 817398 – Anthony Clay. Please can readers let owners/estate agents know that they found this island for sale in Unique Property Bulletin. In so doing, this encourages modest sponsorship for this website and keeps it free for all readers. Thank you.
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Lake District Library Living
Handsome Cumbrian Book Building For Sale
But you will need to be quick to bid. Also check out if this becomes an FTSAA
Former Dalton Library, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria
If this Lake District library were nearer to home here at Unique Property Bulletin, I would be bidding on it in a heartbeat. The reason? My secret sin is buying books. Could easily spend £100 of a Saturday afternoon at Waterstones.
As for library buildings, and purchasing an actual property of this genre – it will happen someday. I hope you might consider this idea too.
Former Dalton Library. Spartan Looking Book Shelves
In essence, buy a magnificent building such as the Dalton Library in Cumbria, obtain planning permission to convert the upper floors to your residential accommodation, then reinstate the functionality of the old library on the ground floor as a new bookshop + coffee shop + internet cafe.
I believe this stands a very good chance of success. This is because we took a derelict pub and turned it into a coffee shop and internet cafe. That business boomed.
This Is What A Library Should Look Like
Please note, this is NOT Dalton Library, but an example of what we would like to see.
It is a sad fact of life just now, cash strapped councils are closing libraries all over the country and selling the buildings off. This is all the more galling in the case of Dalton Library as it was one of the famous free libraries from Andrew Carnegie. This philanthropist built 2,509 libraries for the public good (here).
I shudder at so much of this plague of library closures. Without access to books I would wager the likes of Sir Tim Berners-Lee would not have been instrumental in creating the world wide web. Sir Tim grew up in the 1950s and 1960s when libraries were a primary source of knowledge. No internet back then. Without libraries and public education there might be no internet now – or at least it would be delayed by a decade or two?
It is a reasonable thesis to state the decimation of libraries are like the ill conceived destruction of our tram transport systems. An odd comparison yes. But when you study the industrial and civic vandalism of councils ripping up tram lines and getting rid of these efficient systems, only to spend tens of millions of pounds 50 years later reinstating the trams, the local authorities should be keel-hauled. I suspect that in a decade or two, some bright spark will realise what a profound loss to education this current cost cutting carnage of the libraries is having upon the education of our youngsters. Indeed all age demographics. The cost slashing spark will then ask us all to pay more tax to spend millions building new libraries to replace the ones these idiots closed down and flogged off in the first place. Rant over. Feel Better!
Former Dalton Library – Plenty of Space
Almost 7,000 square feet of building to play with.
So if you do decide to buy a library, please feel free to get in touch and I’ll be delighted to help in any way possible. Whatever else, the guide price of £120,000 for nearly 6,920 square feet of magnificent building represents fabulous value for the money. It would surely be good to give something back. Education for the next generation might be a start.
Auctioneers narrative: Three storey Grade II listed detached former library with accommodation over three floors. There are a variety of different sized areas, some more open plan in nature, smaller rooms and offices with ancillary kitchen, WC and staff areas. The second floor has not been used for some time and requires refurbishment.
Former Dalton Library. Worth A Viewing?
This specific library is scheduled for auction on 6th December 2016, so you will need to get your skates on to bid. There is of course a chance this turns into an FTSAA (Fails To Sell At Auction) in which case you may be quids in as your bargaining position will be a lot better.
Alternatively if Dalton Library has sold when you read this, the principle still stands. A wonderful home and business can be brought about by converting part of an old library into a home and reopening the original book depository into a bookshop. Add an internet cafe to ensure cohesive social functionality.
Whatever else, I can guarantee you there will be more libraries for sale. The exciting thing is to consider setting a precedent in reinstating the core purpose and securing a very nice lifestyle business with lots of interesting folk visiting. If just one of these prospective library reopening projects goes ahead, then it is scalable, and could well turn the tide on this stupid policy of closing exemplars of the value of education.
Address: Former Dalton Library, Nelson Street, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA15 8AF
Guide: £120,000
Further Details: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Contact Pugh & Co., Auctioneers – Tel: 0345 505 1200 or 01942 290850. Please can folk let the autioneer know you found this old library for sale in the Unique Property Bulletin.
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Log Lodge On The River Ouse
Bedfordshire Holiday Cabin
Eau Rouge Log Lodge, Water End, Renhold, Bedfordshire
These are fairly rare and a little frustrating. This lovely log cabin with the eponymous log burning feature fireplace is picturesque – but you can only stay in it 6 months each year! There is of course a rational explanation put forward for imposing these rules, but when you look at the online agency link below with the full range of photographs, it seems a crying shame not to be able to live here for the whole years.
Eau Rouge Log Lodge – Nice Deck, Very Nice View
So with the knowledge that you can only stay here (or use as an investment property for holiday lets) you pays your money and takes your choice.
Occupancy is restricted to between 1st March and 31st October in any one year (further information in the legal pack at the auctioneers).
Eau Rouge Log Lodge – Includes A Boat Mooring
Auctioneer Narrative: A newly refurbished log cabin which is superbly situated in an elevated position on the banks of the River Great Ouse. Tenure Freehold.
Eau Rouge Log Lodge. Feature Fireplace Included
Don’t tell “proud log burner” Stevie McCrorie you own one of these log burners – he’ll be singing away at your door for a free heat!
This charming detached cabin with a garden and river mooring is accessed via a footpath from the parking area and comprises an open plan living area with a wood burning stove, fitted kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The property has just been refurbished with the installation of an electric (wet) central heating system, kitchen, bathroom, double glazed windows and patio doors. The property has been decorated throughout and new carpets fitted.
Outside: A sizeable timber deck, paved seating areas, and private mooring.
Address: Eau Rouge Log Lodge, Water End, Renhold, Bedfordshire, MK41 0JH
Guide: £225,000
Further Details: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Contact Bedford Auction House Tel: 01234 362899. Please can folk let the auctioneers know they found this log cabin for sale, via Unique Property Bulletin.
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Helping Us To Help You
An Early Edition of Unique Property Journal/Bulletin – Circa 1992
It costs approximately £228 per month to keep this not-for-profit website going. Nobody draws a salary. We are all volunteers, and contribute for the love of unusual buildings and camaraderie amongst eccentric fellow property people. Over 24 years since we started this endeavour (21 as a paper format and 4 years online). Resulting in several million pounds of property introductions with many adventures along the way would not have been possible without the goodwill and support of our readers. Please help us to help you and...
Consider Donating £3.65
Click Here To View Our Donation Page
That is less that 1p per day each year for 12 Bulletins plus 100s of Facebook and Twitter Property Posts (here and here)
Thank You.
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Try Before You Buy
Please note, the unusual property in this listing that follows is NOT currently for sale. It is featured so that readers who like this flavour of abode can study whether it is possible to live here for a while, and if that works out, then graduate to somewhere that you can buy and live permanently. From experience Unique Property Bulletin believe it is important to stay a while at the more exotic or remote places to establish whether such a lifestyle suits you and vice versa.
South Stack Lighthouse
Island of Anglesey – Island 2
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey Island
Anglesey Council is facing cuts of £2.9m, so the local authority has been looking for ways to save money. One such method is surrendering leases for heritage sites where it is unable to turn a profit. But it might be the case that private individuals may have a different approach and find an interesting way to change a £12,000 cost into a £12,000 profit. Plus have some amazing fun in the process.
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey Island
A head start has been made with the installation of a new £200,000 footbridge to restart public tours of this amazing lighthouse location. So far, between 12,000-19,000 visitors a year between Easter to September. Therein lays the first possible piece of lateral thinking to turn the fortunes of this place around. Why stop in September. Obvious answer is that the costs outweigh the receipts. But I’ve lived in a lighthouse. If you write, or paint pictures, you are there already. Whereas the council have to pay someone to do the tour part of the job, you would already be there.
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey Island
Surely worth making an enquiry to Anglesey Council for their historic figures (FOI request) then contact the lighthouse owners at Trinity House for the tender process which will lead up to a March 2017 handover. Also is there residential accommodation there for you to live in?
South Stack Lighthouse, Anglesey Island
Perhaps time to get the property detective sleuthing hat on.
Please let us know how you get on? Thanks.
Address: South Stack Lighthouse, Ynys Lawd, Holyhead, Holy Island off Anglesey Island, LL65 1YH
Guide: £To Be Advised
Trinity House: Owner’s Website: Click Here
Background Information and Photographs: Click Here
Trip Advisor Information: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Contact – This is a bit of a DIY job – our challenge for readers to research and solve. Have a go at finding out more. If you need help, perhaps consider acquiring a copy of this: Click Here.
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NOW SOLD
UKWMO Underground Nuclear Bunker
More like this needed – especially near London. Do you have one for sale? If so we can help you sell it. Just get in touch (click here).
UKWMO Penshurst For Sale, Sevenoaks, Kent
Photo with appreciation and attribution to Mark Russell
In August this year we featured this underground UKWMO RoC bunker for sale, exclusively via Unique Property Bulletin (here and here).
It has now been sold, but we have found a high demand for these, especially in the London and Home Counties area and are appealing to owners who might be minded to sell their bunker bedroom, to get in touch with us and we can introduce you to several willing and able buyers (here).
Click Here For The Talented Bob Marshall UKWMO Drawing
This one is at Penshhurst, Sevenoaks in Kent – about 33 miles from London.
UKWMO Penshurst – Main Underground Room With Museum Display Equipment (not included in sale)
Photo with appreciation and attribution to Mark Russell
Whatever the reason for interest when one of these structures comes up for sale, we get a real buzz in featuring them. We’ve also noticed if you Google “UKWMO nuclear bunker for sale” this website is starting to gravitate to occupy the top three results on mainstream internet searches. Even the fourth spot in a national newspaper originates from the Bulletin (here). So in a way, we can welcome you to UKWMO Central – a place to buy and sell old mole homes for underground dwellers.
Access Portal Before Renovation.
Photograph with kind appreciation and attribution to Subterranea Britannica
The enthusiasm we have for the current Kent UKWMO for sale is that the owner has restored it to as near original condition as possible. So much so, that he has had museum open days for people curious to see one of these properties that dwell fifteen or so feet underground.
UKWMO Penshurst Nuclear Bunker: Access Portal After Renovation.
Photo with appreciation and attribution to Mark Russell
ROC Post: UKWMO Penshurst, Sevenoaks, Kent.
Address: Gated compound on the junction of Camp Hill and Compasses Rd, near Charcott, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN11 8LP
Guide: £29,950 – Now Sold.
Archived Details: Click Here
Further reading: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here.
Map link: Click Here.
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The Importance of Archive Research
Bulletin back issues can save you thousands of pounds and reveal forgotten wonders for sale…
Damside Windmill, Taylors Lane, Pilling, Preston, Lancashire
We first featured this amazing windmill conversion over a year ago in the 8th November 2015 edition (here). This week an email from a reader looking for a windmill to live in got our radar going, and whilst searching on the internet, we circled back to this very publication. Chasing our tail – in a good way. This is because the price has been reduced by £45,000. Given this particular property has now been though at least two estate agents and has hung around for a while, it might be worthwhile considering a bid at say £399,000.
Agency Narrative: This windmill was built in 1808. It offers a unique family home in a fine rural setting. The ground floor has a spacious open plan living area with feature fireplace and slate floor. This is inset with four of the original millstones.
Interior Filled With Character: Damside Windmill, Taylors Lane, Pilling, Preston, Lancashire
The adjoining kitchen is located in the old drying kiln. A central staircase leads up to the first floor with two double bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the second floor is a further lounge with access to the wrap around balcony making the most of the countryside views.
Interesting Interior: Damside Windmill, Taylors Lane, Pilling, Preston, Lancashire
A spiral staircase leads to the ensuite master bedroom on the third floor, with access to the fourth floor hobby room. The property also benefits from a beautiful secluded south-facing garden to the rear, with lawns, patio and a range of mature plants, as well as a detached garage. Damside Windmill is a landmark in the village of Pilling and the wonderful location affords fantastic views across to the Lake District and the Pennines.
Click Here For Photographic Montage of Damside Windmill
Location: Damside Windmill, Taylors Lane, Pilling, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 6AB
Guide: Was £495,000. Now – £450,000
Further Details: Click Here
Lovely Website Photos & Narrative: Click Here
Archive Details (current estate agent) : Click Here
Old Archived Details – VIP RESEARCH at your fingertips on this website: Click Here
Contact Tel: 01524 566 067. Please can folk let the estate agent know they found this windmill for sale, via Unique Property Bulletin.
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Old Furze Brewery With Great Plans
Substantial building in Devon with pints of potential
The Old Furze Brewery, High Street, Uffculme, Devon
Photo Courtesy of Alan George
Occasionally we have a property that ticks many boxes for a lot of our readers. This is likely to be one such structure. Approximately 7,000 square feet to play with. Already has a beautiful roof terrace conversion that goes with the completed penthouse flat where the current owner lives.
The Old Furze Brewery – Penthouse Apartment Roof Terrace Photographs
Then the old Furze Brewery building gets more interesting. A large tranche of our readers are looking for a place to live AND work from. This building has ample room to cover many permutations that you might seek. Whether it is a modest office near to your living quarters or something that can accommodate say half a dozen employees – there is space to do this. If we were half a dozen of the rebooted unique property syndicates along the way, we would be looking at this as the IT HQ of the growing set of websites here. Not quite there yet – and yes we can organise a party in a brewery 🙂 In the meantime, someone, somewhere is likely to bag themselves a very interesting property adventure with this property
The Old Furze Brewery Tower Aspect
There is sufficient flexibility at the old Furze brewery building for small or large area to let you run your home based business.
Plus you can also dip into the planning permission that has been granted. Perhaps convert some of the space into flats for rental income. Or go the whole hog and accept the full fleet of flats that currently has planning permission in place:-
Plans Available From The Estate Agent (Click Here)
In addition to the top floor penthouse the brewery has planning permission for six further units with parking for ten vehicles, as follows,
2 bedroom semi- basement apartment.
2 bedroom ground floor apartment
2 bedroom first floor apartment
2 bedroom second floor apartment
2 bedroom 2 storey townhouse
1 bedroom maisonette.
The basement which is substantial could be used for storage / work shop, housing plant and services connected with the above apartments or indeed used separately as it has its own entrance.
The Old Furze Brewery, Penthouse Apartment Photographs
However you look at this building, there are plenty of permutations and we hope one adventurous reader will take the plunge. If you do, please let us know how you get on? Also remember, we have television companies wanting to follow property conversions such as this, so don’t hesitate in emailing the Bulletin for more information if you’d like some bright lights on your brewery building.
Address: The Old Furze Brewery, High Street, Uffculme, Devon, EX15 3AB
Guide: £850,000 for the WHOLE building (smaller portions available by negotiation – check agency details for more information on this.
Further Details: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Contact: Click Here. Please can folk mention to our sponsors that they found this old brewery for sale via Unique Property Bulletin. This helps them to help us in helping you. A virtuous circle.
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Little Lodge – Little Money
Cheeky Price In Cheshire
Broadbottom Road, Mottram, Hyde
The diminutive building is for sale on 19th December at auction. Hyde Town Centre and Manchester City Centre both lying to the west. Public transport links are available at Broadbottom Rail Station located to the south and at Hattersley Rail Station lying to the south west along with a network of local bus services serving the surrounding areas.
Address: 237 Broadbottom Road, Mottram, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 6HY
Guide: £55,000 – For sale by auction, scheduled – 19th December 2016.
Further Details: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Contact Barnard Marcus Auctions – Tel: 0208 741 9990. Please can folk let the auctioneers know they found this old lodge for sale, via Unique Property Bulletin.
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Third Island For Sale In This Bulletin
Holm of Grimbister Island – With House
Here is a small island extending to about 40 acres for sale. The island benefits from being connected to mainland Orkney at low tide by a causeway.
Beautiful photograph by aerial photographer Tom Falcon Harding: click here
There is a period cottage providing basic accommodation and a traditional L-shaped steading with conversion potential.
Holm of Grimbister Island – Accessible By Causeway
The island benefits from being connected to mainland Orkney at low tide by a causeway. There is a small triangular parcel of land extending to about a 1/3 of an acre on the mainland and access rights to the A965 public road. Though when you look at the final causeway part, it seems a good idea to consider buying a Landrover or ATV.
Holm of Grimbister Island House
The land is all arable and is well fenced into 9 separate enclosures. In addition, a site has been leased for a 6 Kw wind turbine which provides electricity for the property and for export to the grid. Mains services are all connected to the island. Approximately 40 acres of island sanctuary.
Address: Holm of Grimbister Island, Near Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1TU
Guide: £300,000
Further Details: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here and Here
Contact Savills – Tel: 01343 823000 – Jamie Watson. Please can folk let the owner/agent know you found this island for sale in the Unique Property Bulletin.
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Auction Finds
This Edition: Barnard Marcus London Auction
A quick trio from the current catalogue…
Land Off Sandhill Meadow, Russell Road, Shepperton, TW17 9HQ.
To order a full catalogue, telephone Barnard Marcus on: 020 8741 9990.
Or Click Here & Online Details: Here
Thames-side Plots, Shooters Hill, Streatley on Thames, West Berkshire, RG8 9NA.
To order a full catalogue, telephone Barnard Marcus on: 020 8741 9990.
Or Click Here & Online Details: Here
St Paul’s Methodist Church, Bentilee, Staffordshire, ST2 0LL.
To order a full catalogue, telephone Barnard Marcus on: 020 8741 9990.
Or Click Here & Online Details: Here
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Regular Updates On Social Media
Please remember that every few days we add an extra unique property to our main social media newsfeeds. So you don’t need to worry about missing out on your ideal home falling off of your radar….
Unique Property Bulletin on Facebook: Click Here
Unique Property Bulletin on Twitter: Click Here
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Islands 4 & 5
Holms of Stromness
Beautiful Island: Holms of Stromness, Orkney
The “Holms of Stromness” sounds like a title for an Alistair MacLean novel. They certainly have character. For this edition of Unique Property Bulletin we have a total of five islands. In almost 25 years that has never happened in just the one edition.
Many folk will of course see that this is a northerly island for sale and possibly think “too far”. Well yes and no. In the great adventure of life we will jump on an airplane and go to many exotic places around the world, but here’s the thing: on our own doorstep are islands – over 100 of them in this small archipelago for example. The northern latitude can put some folk off, but I can almost guarantee it, you are missing a trick here. The summer months on Orkney really do have 2 hours more light than the south of the UK (here and here if you want to do the math – also the slidey things on each chart are interesting and informative).
Holms of Stromness – Detached House & Ideal For Watching Ships Go By
Personally I’ve had sunstroke on the island. Who would have thought that is possible in the British Isles.
If you do nothing else in 2017 (just a few days away now) do what a couple I met on the Pentland Ferry did. They live in Kent and once a month headed south through the Channel Tunnel to France, Belgium, Italy etc. Whilst chatting with them I asked why come to Orkney? They had seen Jeremy Clarkson drive a car north and end up in John O’Groats so decided to do the same. Instead of their usual jaunt south from Kent, they decided to take the path less travelled.
Holms of Stromness – Comfortable Interiors
When they got to John O’Groats, the weather was so sunny and scenery so interesting, they hoped onto the ferry at Gills Bay, and here we were, exchanging stories and enjoying a trip on deep blue water, sun tanned beaches and lots of fresh air. Even if you only do it once, try north. Though please make it in the summer months. That 2 hour extra daylight thing I mentioned? In the winter it is reversed. Two hours more darkness, and goodness me do you feel it!
As Well As Your Own Island – You Have Your Own Pier – Ideal For Fishing & Boat Fun
The estate agent is Mr Andrew Bonnar, and I can personally recommend him as one of the best. Agency narrative: A unique opportunity to purchase 2 private islands in Orkney. The Inner and Outer Holms of Stromness are tidal islands that form part of the harbour of Stromness. The total acreage for the Inner and Outer Holms is approximately 12.5 acres, under Udal Law 23 acres, when land extends to the lowest tide. Situated on the Inner Holm is a large single storey dwellinghouse, comprising 4 double bedrooms main house, with a further 2 bedrooms in the adjoining annexe. The property offers majestic views across Stromness, the island of Hoy and towards Scapa Flow. The main house has a spacious livingroom/dining area with four windows, French doors that open out onto the garden, polished wooden floors and an impressive Claygate brick fire place and surround.
Holms of Stromness – You Island Home Is Great For Ship Watching
There is a large lawn area surrounding the house together with a walled garden and large stone outhouse, on the north-east side of the island. There is also a flag pole located on the Inner Holm. Both Holms are presently let out to summer grazing. The Holms are reached by boat, both having stone jetties, though it is also possible to reach the Holms by a causeway at low tide. This unique property provides a wonderful opportunity to purchase an idyllic retreat close to the Orkney Mainland.
Address: Holms Of Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3JJ
Guide: £300,000
Further Details: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview: Click Here
Google Map Location: Click Here
Google 3D Streetview seem to be doing some pretty impressive interior shots now – I accidentally landed ON the actual ferry in the virtual picture mode. Lots of pictures on each deck. Interesting, especially to a ferry addict like me: Click Here
Archived Details For Future Reference: Click Here
Contact Lows Estate Agency – Tel: 01856 873 151. Please can folk let Mr Andrew Bonnar know you found this island for sale in the Unique Property Bulletin. We are then able to demonstrate to the estate agents selling each property that our not-for-profit websites help their clients, and in so doing can encourage them to support the Bulletin. By helping us this way, we can continue to help you. A virtuous circle.
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EMAIL ALERTS
If you would like a reminder email each month, once each new Unique Property Bulletin goes online, please feel free to join our ALERT list. Just…
Click Here To Receive Email Alert’s For Each New Unique Property Bulletin
…fill in the brief form typing the Subject Header with the simple word “ALERT” and we will do the rest 🙂 ensuring that a weblink for each new Bulletin is sent for you to enjoy each month.
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Unique Property Competition
Sponsored By Scotslion – Real Dragons’ Den
Sponsors Website – Click Here
The current Unique Property Bulletin competition prize is 10% of this note – in UK pound equivalent. We did ask our sponsors to stump up the whole note value as prize fund, but they went a sort of green colour at the discovery of how valuable these things are. Can you guess the name of this castle…
Competition Question…
What is the name of this castle?
Here is a clearer picture…
The winner is the first drawn from our Competition Box at close of competition on 31st December 2016
Email your free entries to us…
Click Here For Competition Entry Contact Page
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Architecturally Unique
Please note, in each edition of the Bulletin we feature the work of a unique architect. These properties are usually NOT currently for sale, but are included to help inspire readers as to the talent that abounds when the mind of a good architect meets the imagination of a unique property person. Something that little bit special is often created by the synergy. Also please don’t worry if the architect is a long distance away from your building site – modern technology has systems expressly designed to bridge what were once significant obstacles to remote design. With broadband, you can acquire international flavour in the blink of an Ipad. Enhanced by Skype and CAD, most things are now possible.
This edition of Unique Property Bulletin we spotted a wonderful house designed by architect Richard Murphy. It was featured on Grand Designs House of The Year. Plus it has been on the RIBA House of The Year 2016 shortlist as well (here). The property is built on a very small site, but has an incredible number of floors, and can go from dark to very light by ingenious Thunderbird type wizardy.
Video of The Murphy House, Hart Street, Edinburgh
This video deliberately begins in the dark morning. There is a reason for this. As the presentation progresses, the house interior starts out in darkness, and then through a series of innovative features the architect has designed, it ends up being flooded with light. A neat trick given this is a very small build plot and the building needs to fit in with the surrounding Edwardian style.
So our
Commended Architect
For this Unique Property Bulletin is:-
Mr Richard Murphy
Click Here For This Architect’s Dedicated Website
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NEXT – OUR FEATURE ARTICLE…
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This Edition’s Unique Property Feature Introduction:-
Unique People
We love you.
Thorn Island, Angle, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Normally This Edition Would Attract A Title of “Islands Galore”
I have never seen as many small islands for sale in one Unique Property Bulletin. So much so, this edition should really be titled “Islands Galore”. But not so. Why? Because it is also coming up to our 25th anniversary, and events over the past few weeks have brought home how this obscure publication is as about unique people as unique homes. Some friendships forged on our Davaar Island adventure still endure 25 years later. Many people along the way have become lifelong friends.
Even this past couple of weeks we’ve seen it. On 2nd October 2016 we put out a plea for help as our Google Adsense coding was on the glitch. Three good people volunteered to help, and behind the scenes and now new friendships have been established, plus much more. Here is the original Google Adsense excerpt from October’s Bulletin….
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Google Adsense Plea For IT Help on 2nd October 2016
Good people rallied round.
So now, several weeks later, the Google Adsense is up and running again. Not a fortune, but around £700 a year really helps us to balance the books. Unique Property Bulletin is by no means skint – just check out here and here. It’s a strange thing from my place of birth, mixed with a desire to balance the books and an abhorrence of wasting money. Not OCD frugality, just a wish to ensure that money is used wisely.
So our Google Adsense works just fine now. The only glitch now is trying to force our new IT wizard Steve to accept our promise to deliver an honorarium of thanks for saving some sanity here at Bulletin HQ. Steve has so far declined. We are working on a remedy to ensure a proper thank you goes to this new friend…
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A Promise Made Needs To Be Kept
But the Google Adsense call for help didn’t just receive one reply from a unique person. There were three. This is where the serendipity we have seen in the last quarter of a century still knocks us foot sideways. In a good way.
One of the three Bulletin readers who got in touch exchanged an interesting series of emails and telephone calls. The end result? Next year we shall be starting an American version of Unique Property Bulletin.
It actually makes a lot of sense. We know that there are several hundred amongst the 40,000+ recorded unique IPs that come to visit our site are from north America. For sure there are sufficient unique properties in the USA. So our new friend has an excellent idea in growing this ostensibly UK website to wider horizons and a fresh variety of unusual abodes. For example, what better illustration of intercontinental travel made safe and homely…
Just One of Many Unusual USA Homes – An Interesting Access Portal
America Has Many Redundant Missile Silos – Large Spaces Underground
A Number Have Become Unique Homes – Very Pleasant Looking Conversions
Some Are Still Awaiting Conversion
The picture above hides the fact there are seventeen floors below this “capped” bunker (click here)
A few websites are worth linking to if you fancy a humongous underground home: here and here for example.
There is the full A-to-Z in America of unique homes. Air Control Towers, Barns, Tree Houses, Forts – maybe not so many castles, but this sort of dog house makes up for the lack of 1,000 year old abodes…
Beagle Hotel USA – Click Here
So in Summer 2017 we will be launching a new USA version of Unique Property Bulletin
There are potentially 318,000,000 new readers in America
But that’s not all. During the conversations with our three new friends – all from a Google Adsense call for help – one asked if we had ever thought about starting a unique property forum.
That is a big box to open. I have friends who run website forums and they can take a lot of moderation and effort. But a lot of good things come form these.
So for now, I’m just going to float the idea and ask our readers for their point of view: would you reckon a Unique Property Bulletin Forum is a good idea? Would you join it? Might you help run the thing as an administrator or moderator?
Your views on the idea of a Unique Property Forum are very welcome. Just click here.
All of the above just goes to show, this Bulletin is as much about people as it is for unusual buildings.
One last thing for this year’s final edition: new friend Steve said something that stuck. After helping with a huge IT nut-ache – installing a regular safety backup system which has caused the volunteers here a big headache and a lot of worry, I offered Steve an honorarium.
Steve said thanks, but no thanks saying he was happy to help just for the love of the thing.
Says it all really 🙂
Have a good Christmas and see you all in the new year.
Sincerely,
Russ McLean
Ice Hotel’s Are Real & Popular This Time of Year – Click Here
As for Christmas card messages like ours above – out of respect for whatever belief system you might have, to paraphrase the words of the late, great Dave Allen, the iconic exemplar of comedic political incorrectness helping us to be respectful of all. To quote Mr Allen – at this time of the year: May your God go with you.
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