Community / Hillswick and Fetlar churches latest to go up for sale
CHURCHES in Hillswick and Fetlar are the latest to go on the market as part of the planned closure of kirks across Shetland.
The substantial church in Hillswick, which was built in 1869, is B-listed and the Church of Scotland is asking for offers over £40,000.
The building is situated next to the St Magnus Bay Hotel and forms a key part of the fabric of the village.
The smaller Fetlar Parish Church, meanwhile, comes with an asking price of around £15,000.
The sale has a closing date of 31 March at 12 noon.
It was built in 1790 and recast in 1860. The kirk is also B-listed.
The Church of Scotland announced in 2018 that it would be closing 20 kirks in Shetland amid declining attendances, a shortage of ministers and a growing national financial deficit.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.