Nwicker60
19-Jul-12, 17:17
Strathy lighthouse could have a bright future as home conversion
ONCE its guiding light and unmisitakble blare kept mariners safe in one of the most treacherous shipping lanes in the country.
Now, the Strathy Point lighthouse, perched on the remote north of Scotland coastline, may have a new lease of life as that idyllic get-away-from-it all des res.
The redundant lighthouse went on the market, this week, inviting offers in excess £75,000 which is certain to attract interest from those looking to avoid the fall-out from an anticipated double dip recession behind and move ‘up’ in the world.
However, you won’t need to pack your sun cream if you should opt to turn this unusual property on its exposed North Sutherland promontory, into a holiday hideaway.
What are you getting for your money...a tower on three storeys, mess, battery, control and watch rooms, a horn house, light room and toilet. The way up to the light tower is by a nine-rung ladder, from the watch room below, which is, in turn, reached by a stair from the ground floor.
The complex, owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board, has the all important fundamental services of mains electricity, water and storage radiators required to turn this exclusive des res.
Over and above, externally are breathtaking views, wheeling seabirds, dramatic cliff scenery and solititude.
The light went out for the last time, as recently as March this year following a change in the Pentland Firth, shipping lanes and a downturn in leisure and fishing traffic. It ended a piece of shining history for the Northern Lighthouse Board, as the first lighthouse to be powered on an all-electric station. It wasn’t designed by Stevenson but by the Board’s engineer P.H Hyslop. The lighthouse came into service in 1958 and went automatic in 1997. The light keepers’ houses were sold off previously.
John Brown, a director with Edinburgh property agents DTZ, handling the sale, said: “The buildings have an institutional feel, so the purchaser will have a blank canvas on which to create an interesting home which will have character and outstanding views. This is wild coastline and the original design of the complex was aimed at trying to reduce wind impact on an exposed headland.”
There’s a good road leading to it, viewing is by appointment through DTZ on 0131 222 4500 and bids must be lodged by September 14.
Of course, over and above, the purchase price, the successful buyer would probably need another £75,000 for that all-important conversion..
ONCE its guiding light and unmisitakble blare kept mariners safe in one of the most treacherous shipping lanes in the country.
Now, the Strathy Point lighthouse, perched on the remote north of Scotland coastline, may have a new lease of life as that idyllic get-away-from-it all des res.
The redundant lighthouse went on the market, this week, inviting offers in excess £75,000 which is certain to attract interest from those looking to avoid the fall-out from an anticipated double dip recession behind and move ‘up’ in the world.
However, you won’t need to pack your sun cream if you should opt to turn this unusual property on its exposed North Sutherland promontory, into a holiday hideaway.
What are you getting for your money...a tower on three storeys, mess, battery, control and watch rooms, a horn house, light room and toilet. The way up to the light tower is by a nine-rung ladder, from the watch room below, which is, in turn, reached by a stair from the ground floor.
The complex, owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board, has the all important fundamental services of mains electricity, water and storage radiators required to turn this exclusive des res.
Over and above, externally are breathtaking views, wheeling seabirds, dramatic cliff scenery and solititude.
The light went out for the last time, as recently as March this year following a change in the Pentland Firth, shipping lanes and a downturn in leisure and fishing traffic. It ended a piece of shining history for the Northern Lighthouse Board, as the first lighthouse to be powered on an all-electric station. It wasn’t designed by Stevenson but by the Board’s engineer P.H Hyslop. The lighthouse came into service in 1958 and went automatic in 1997. The light keepers’ houses were sold off previously.
John Brown, a director with Edinburgh property agents DTZ, handling the sale, said: “The buildings have an institutional feel, so the purchaser will have a blank canvas on which to create an interesting home which will have character and outstanding views. This is wild coastline and the original design of the complex was aimed at trying to reduce wind impact on an exposed headland.”
There’s a good road leading to it, viewing is by appointment through DTZ on 0131 222 4500 and bids must be lodged by September 14.
Of course, over and above, the purchase price, the successful buyer would probably need another £75,000 for that all-important conversion..