Brough Lodge receives £460,000 for renovation

Brough Lodge, the Gothic mansion on Fetlar, is to receive over £460,000 to help transform it into a mixed use commercial building.

The lodge, regarded as one of Shetland’s most unusual buildings, is one of the latest recipients of funding from Historic Scotland’s Building Repair Grants Scheme.

Over £1.7 million is to be invested in projects from Shetland to Dumfries, to support the repair and restoration of historic buildings.

The Gothic mansion, which has Moorish influences, is being transformed into a mixed-use commercial venue that will bring people to Fetlar for arts and environmental courses and retreats, as well as offering short-stay holiday accommodation.

Cabinet Secretary for culture, europe and external affairs Fiona Hyslop announced the grant today.

She said: “Our diverse built heritage plays an important role in towns and cities across Scotland and forms a key part of our cultural identity.

“The recipients of this award showcase the scope and scale of these buildings and investing in their repair will ensure they can open their doors to the public for years to come

“One of the key elements of the recently launched strategy for the historic environment ‘ Our Place in Time’ is that we work with partners to help to conserve and promote our built heritage, so it can be enjoyed by current and future generations, and schemes such as this are an important way of helping to achieving this.”

Brough Lodge Trust’s Pierre Cambillard, said: “Our vision is to convert Brough Lodge into a venue for the arts, environment and tourism that will benefit Fetlar and have a positive impact across all of Shetland.”

“This funding will help us complete the second phase of the restoration and bring more people into Brough Lodge, whether from the local community or further afield.”

“This restoration project will create around six jobs, bring more tourists to the island and will offer local people, including school pupils, the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities guided by acknowledged local experts.”

“Brough Lodge played a huge role in Fetlar’s past; this grant will help secure its role in Fetlar’s future.”

“We’re extremely pleased to have Brough Lodge’s potential recognised by Historic Scotland in this way.”