Hildasay, a remote Scottish island off the west coast of Shetland, has been put up for sale for £350,000 (€414,000). Extending across approximately 110 hectares and accessible only by boat, it offers a rugged coastline, two freshwater lakes, and abundant birdlife that varies with the seasons. A small community inhabited the island in the 19th century; today, its accommodation consists of a traditional stone bothy, accompanied by a small pier.
The principal practical limitation is the bothy’s lack of a connection to mains electricity. Although previous owners used a small wind turbine and a diesel generator, prospective buyers must make their own arrangements, according to Kelvin Anderson, the estate agent managing the sale. Inside, the bothy has a lounge heated by a stove that burns solid fuel, an elevated sleeping space in an open layout, and its own bathroom, fitted with a shower, sink, and toilets. Any proposed improvements would require planning permission and other statutory approvals, making the property more suitable for buyers comfortable with basic accommodation than those expecting a fully connected retreat.
Hildasay also attracted attention through Chris Lewis, who spent three months there during the pandemic. His book, “Finding Hildasay: How One Man Walked the UK's Coastline and Found Hope and Happiness,” brought the island into the headlines. A crowdfunding campaign intended to help Lewis purchase it was proposed but subsequently abandoned, according to the Shetland Times. The sale comes as phone-free retreats grow in popularity among people seeking to disconnect for their mental health.
