The restoration project

Belmont is a house - small but perfectly formed, it is one of the finest Georgian houses in Scotland. Built in 1775 and lived in by the same family until the mid-20th century, it retains all the original features (luckily there was never any money to 'do it up', although this means the house also lacks basic amenities).

After years of neglect, the Belmont Trust was formed to save the house, left by an absentee owner to become derelict. It is part of Shetland's - and Scotland's - heritage both historical and architectural. Once restored, the house will be available for community and public use, a venue for art, music, weddings, gatherings, a place to stay; peaceful and beautiful; with gardens to walk in and sunsets to paint.

Phase 1 – the external restoration was completed in May 2006, funded by Historic Scotland and other bodies. In December 2004 the Trust appointed Shetland Amenity Trust as contractors for the external works. One of the first tasks was the demolition of the Victorian extension to the house. This brought the house back to its original symmetrical appearance. The work included jacking up all the floors and the roof to get them back to their original positions, a hazardous undertaking but one which, now it is safely completed, means the house is structurally secure. The house walls have been picked down and re-pointed and the roof replaced using reclaimed scottish slates. Local craftsmen have carried out this major part of the work to the highest standards. Belmont has been saved from collapse - we now look forward to the house coming back to life.

Phase 2 - The first part of Phase 2 has started on site to complete the external restoration with a harled exterior, new windows and doors and internal floors and staircases in the pavilions. The Belmont Trust is actively fund-raising to enable the rest of Phase 2 to start. This will restore the interior of the house using the original colours (still in situ) and detailing. This will be an exciting time with the beautiful rooms coming to life again in their original livery.

Phase 3 will be the restoration of the gardens and the designed landscape running down from Belmont House to the sea.

We are fortunate indeed to have secured the services of Nicholas Groves Raines for the Belmont restoration. One of Scotland’s foremost architects specialising in historic buildings, he has an impressive record of saving beautiful and neglected buildings and making them usable once more, just what we want for Belmont. Nick and his experienced team are regularly at Belmont. Nick's team on Belmont includes Peter Elliot, Elliot & Co., Structural Engineers and Michael Thomson, Quantity Surveyor. Shetland Amenity Trust have been excellent contractors, with Frank Brown and Charlie Clark leading their largely local team.

The total cost of restoring Belmont will be over £1 million.