Smola

Key details

Overview

Enjoying fine panoramic views eastwards across open countryside to the sea, ‘Smola’ is a quirky, unique two bedroom stone-built cottage situated close by the doctor’s surgery on a small side road off the loop road through Levenwick. Lerwick approx.17 miles.

This charming, double-glazed accommodation is arranged over two floors comprising of two double bedrooms, living room, kitchen and shower room.

The property is heated by oil-fired central heating, supplemented by a cosy wood burning stove in the living room.

Externally, there is a seating area to the front, a newly built DITT shed to the side, which was installed in summer 2023 and a sunny seating area to the rear of the property.

General Information

‘Smola’ is situated in the village of Levenwick, a picturesque fairly scattered settlement on the east coast of the South Mainland of Shetland approximately 17 miles from Lerwick, the location also being convenient for access to Sumburgh airport (about nine miles to the south) and air travel Mainland Scotland.

Conveniently there is a Doctor’s surgery close by the house and Levenwick’s fine sandy beach is within walking distance.

Further amenities are available in the nearby village of Sandwick (approximately five miles to the north) where there is a shop & post office and the South Mainland’s Junior High School and swimming pool. There are also other local shops and a petrol station at Dunrossness to the south Bigton to the west. Lerwick - Sumburgh buses pass through the village – there is a stop at the shop.

The South Mainland area has a wide variety of places of interest making the property ideally situated for holiday use, the pier at Leebitton, Sandwick, being the departure point for ferry trips to the island of Mousa and its famous broch, whilst Bigton to the west is the access point for the famous sand tombolo at St Ninian’s Isle. Further afield is the croft house museum at Dunrossness, Quendale Mill, RSPB reserves at Spiggie and Sumburgh Head, as well as archaeological sites at Old Scatness and Jarlshof. Further information on the South Mainland area can be found at:-

https://www.shetland.org/plan/visit/areas/south-mainland

Accommodation

Entry is through the ledged and braced front door which opens to a porch with windows to either side, a stone floor and wood lined ceiling, an inner door opening to a wood-lined lobby with coat hooks leading to the cosy living room, the fireplace with its massive stone lintel being a particular feature along with the huge stone flags to the floor and exposed ceiling beams. The fireplace houses a wood burning stove although there is also a central heating radiator. The east-facing window with its deep reveals enjoys the sea view, whilst painted wood paneling at the rear conceals a useful under-stairs cupboard.

Off the living room is a small passage leading to the shower room and kitchen, the passage having a tiled floor and handy shelved pantry cupboard which also houses the meters etc. On the left is the attractive painted wood-lined shower room comprising a large wet wall-lined shower enclosure with glazed shower screen, plus a white WC and wash hand basin. Checkerboard vinyl tiles are laid to the floor and the deep window reveal provides shelf space for display, toiletries etc. Radiator / towel rail.

On the other side of the passage is the kitchen which has space for a table & chairs and a southerly aspect, the window being set behind a run of handmade units incorporating a ‘Belfast’ sink set in a solid wood worktop, an integral electric oven and hob with stainless steel cooker hood over, plus plumbing for a washing machine which is included in the sale along with the fridge / freezer. Lighting is provided by two ‘rise & fall’ pendant fittings and there is a clothes pulley and quarry tiled floor. The oil-fired combi boiler which supplies central heating and hot water is situated in the kitchen.

The carpeted stair from the passage leads up to a small landing on the first floor, a bright space lit by a Velux window, with fitted bookshelves and original doors, to the two double bedrooms, both bedrooms having windows to the front of the house enjoying the fine views to the sea, and original fireplaces although these are decorative only. Bedroom 2 to the right has a shelf / hanging rail unit.

Rooms Sizes (All approximate)

On the Ground Floor:-

Living Room

4.4m x 3.7m at widest points

Shower Room

2.15m x 1.95m

Kitchen

4m x 2.25m

On the First Floor:-

Bedroom 1

3.8m x 3.35m at widest points (floor area)

Bedroom 2

3.8m x 2.8m (floor area)

External

In addition to the seating area to the front, there is a further area to the rear which would be a great place to sit in the afternoon / evening sun.

A newly built, triple aspect, DITT shed was installed in summer 2023 and provides a great space for a workshop or additional storage space. The oil tank is situated on the north side of the house.

Council Tax

Understood to currently be Band A. Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation. Council Tax Bands may be reassessed by the Joint Valuation Board when a property is sold. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council’s website at:

https://www.shetland.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-charges-bands

Property location

To reach the property from the north take the first turning to Levenwick from the main Lerwick - Sumburgh road. Continue past the health centre and turn next left just before the shop to ‘Uppertown’. ‘Smola’ is the white painted cottage, third house in on the right. Note the loop road through Levenwick continues southwards to meet back up with the main Lerwick – Sumburgh road.