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The Future
Our next challenge is moving from a restoration
project into a business. The Belmont Trust is entering
into an arrangement with the Bluemull Development
Company who will manage the future business. Belmont will be used as holiday
accommodation, a venue for weddings, corporate events, art and music and other
appropriate uses. Belmont will be marketed as holiday accommodation by the National
Trust for Scotland. With
established marketing, the NTS is confident that Belmont will be a very popular
destination—opening up Shetland to their clientele. The NTS is giving us
plenty of practical advice
and help.
Although the National Trust is providing some furniture we still need beds, settees
and the all small items that a house sleeping up to 12 people needs. This needs
a substantial sum of money and we are fundraising and seeking sponsorship to
raise £70,000 which will enable us to open the house for business in 2011.
The
house will also be available for shorter lets,
particularly off season and as a venue for weddings,
art, meetings, community and corporate events.
National
Trust Cruise at Belmont
On
25 May the National Trust for Scotland cruise visited
Unst. Moored offshore at Baltasound, the passengers
had the opportunity to visit various locations
in Unst. A busload visited Belmont to see the final
stages of the restoration and were very appreciative
visitors.
Gardens
and Grounds
Plans
for the garden restoration are well advanced. We have
a design - the Hamiton garden (west) will be planned
with smaller fenced enclosures for shelter and planted
with shrubs to form hedges. Within the enclosures there
will be lawns and herbacous planting. The perimeter
walls will be planted with honeysuckle. The central
garden will be a meadow with wild flowers and cut paths.
This will be managed approriately and cut in late summer.
The east garden is to be planted with tree species
by Shetland Amenity Trust.
The first wedding
in Belmont for 200 years
We are delighted that the first wedding to be held in Belmont for 200 years will
be in September. We hope Lynnette and Richard will have a wonderful day.
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