Yell motel razed to ground

THE FORMER North Isles Motel building in Sellafirth, Yell has been burnt down by its owners in a controlled fire after being deemed dangerous by Shetland Islands Council.

The building had been left empty for a number of years having been under the ownership of Sam and Dot Davis, who also ran the Scalloway Hotel, in the 1990s and 2000s.

Local businessman Steven Swan took ownership around three years ago and decided to raze the building to the ground in a controlled fire this week to clear the site.

“The building was in a dangerous condition – it had to be taken down at some point,” he said.

Some locals complained that the “eyesore” building had become a hazard in high winds.

Swan, who runs the Hilltop Bar and Gutcher Goose Cafe in Yell, added that he is considering the idea of constructing housing on the land once it is cleared.