Belmont House, Island of Unst, Shetland

See our Christmas newsletter here.

The last year!

Site progress
Work is progressing steadily on site with completion still being July 2010. All of the first fix electrics and plumbing are in place and the new and damaged walls have been lathe and plastered. Traditional lime plastering has started after a trial panel was approved of our architect. We continue to be delighted that the craftsmanship and skills amongst our Unst workforce means that almost all the specialist work at Belmont is carried out locally.

Fundraising—the final appeal.
Phase 2.2 is fully funded and we also have funding to allow us to do the garden infrastructure. However the rear porch still needs funding as does the substantial cost of furnishing the house. We are aware that the economic climate is affecting funding bodies but for our final phase of funding we are making a special appeal to assist us in completing the project—any donations are welcome and can be for specific items in the house.


Our Christmas card picture was painted by Mike Finnie in October when the corn on the Belmont farm was being taken in. Thanks to Derek for reintroducing traditional corn harvesting, despite the geese.

Belmont is a small but perfect Georgian house built in 1775 and set in a designed landscape overlooking a vista on three sides - sea, sky and islands.
It is classically symmetric with quadrant walls, twin pavilions and formal gardens, and it retains the original interior mouldings and paint colours.
A house of this sophistication, set in an incomparably beautiful natural setting, would be memorable anywhere; it is now being reinstated by the Belmont Trust as one of Shetland's most important buildings. Phase 1 of the restoration was completed in May 2006 and the first part of phase 2 in September 2007. The second part of phase 2 is now on site and due for completion in July 2010.


An early drawing of Belmont clearly showing the planned walled policies and the farmstead behind. Undated c.1830