We moved to Sanday in May 2008, full of anticipation and excitement. We had seen a property on one of the smaller Orkney Islands on the Internet and couldn't believe what you could buy for your money in comparison with the mainland UK. After one visit we were hooked and decided to sell up and make a move with our, at the time, 3 boys in tow! We then visited Sanday, with it's outstandingly beautiful, peaceful, beaches, its stunning wildlife, the personal and dedicated school and fantastic people with a real community spirit, and we could not contain ourselves. We knew this would be the island on which we would begin a new chapter of our lives .....
We set about fully renovating The Stables, our 5 bedroom stone home. Formally this would have been the stables to Geramont House which has stood proudly for half a century without its roof or windows. A stunning building which I loved to look out onto throughout the ever changing Orkney weather. From the other aspect you can see the walled garden remains from Geramont estate. A peaceful and beautiful setting from dawn to dusk, and at night the heavens explode with a million stars. The lack of light pollution, in fact of any pollution makes Sanday the most wonderful place to live and enjoy your lives, be it with a your family, or to start a business (The Stables has a perfect lay out for bed and breakfast or holiday home. It could be separated into two dwellings with appropriate consents) or simply to sit back, relax and retire.
Don't let me fool you into thinking Sanday is a sleeping beauty, throughout the calender year the island is a bustling place to be, with the Sanday show, parading all the finest agricultural animals, examples of the best veg and fabulous crafts followed by one of many of Sandays traditional dances. Shortly after we arrived a dance followed the inter island sports (where the island keenest and best sports people compete against similar people from neighbouring islands). I wasn't prepared for the fantastic live music provided by enthusiastic island residents and the atmosphere that filled the community hall. I never expected to get up and dance a traditional scottish dance but after a small drink I was being taught a few of the easier dances and was whirling around the room. I distinctly noticed how children as young as three were dancing side by side with the older generations on the island. A lovely sight to behold in 2008
We set about fully renovating The Stables, our 5 bedroom stone home. Formally this would have been the stables to Geramont House which has stood proudly for half a century without its roof or windows. A stunning building which I loved to look out onto throughout the ever changing Orkney weather. From the other aspect you can see the walled garden remains from Geramont estate. A peaceful and beautiful setting from dawn to dusk, and at night the heavens explode with a million stars. The lack of light pollution, in fact of any pollution makes Sanday the most wonderful place to live and enjoy your lives, be it with a your family, or to start a business (The Stables has a perfect lay out for bed and breakfast or holiday home. It could be separated into two dwellings with appropriate consents) or simply to sit back, relax and retire.
Don't let me fool you into thinking Sanday is a sleeping beauty, throughout the calender year the island is a bustling place to be, with the Sanday show, parading all the finest agricultural animals, examples of the best veg and fabulous crafts followed by one of many of Sandays traditional dances. Shortly after we arrived a dance followed the inter island sports (where the island keenest and best sports people compete against similar people from neighbouring islands). I wasn't prepared for the fantastic live music provided by enthusiastic island residents and the atmosphere that filled the community hall. I never expected to get up and dance a traditional scottish dance but after a small drink I was being taught a few of the easier dances and was whirling around the room. I distinctly noticed how children as young as three were dancing side by side with the older generations on the island. A lovely sight to behold in 2008
Sanday always have some activity, club or event on. The school has a gym, swimming pool, community area used for playgroup, brownies, guides, cubs and scouts. Bingo, craft clubs... I'm sure you get the idea! This year the new purpose built youth club and drop in centre will open, giving all Sandays youth a place to come together. This year the island came together to host numerious fun packed weekends to showcase the crafts, talents and interesting history of Sanday. Take a look at the website to see what you could be a part of too! http://sandaysoulka.org/
If you require medical help on Sanday there is a superb surgery open 6 days a week, and the most caring staff on call for larger emergencies. I have had the pleasure of an out of hours visit on a few occasions with the help of our then unborn fourth son. A few signs of early labour and I was professionally cared for and taken to mainland Aberdeen and Invernes in the coastguard helicopter!! In fact if anything, the care you receive on the island is quicker and more friendly than mainland practictioners.
I have four boys and the older two really enjoyed the freedom to go off adventuring with their friends and explore their surroundings. To a mother and father who didn't have to spend every second clock watching and wondering if they where alright this was an absolute relief. The younger two had the run of the 2 1/2 acres of secure land which comes with our home.
I have four boys and the older two really enjoyed the freedom to go off adventuring with their friends and explore their surroundings. To a mother and father who didn't have to spend every second clock watching and wondering if they where alright this was an absolute relief. The younger two had the run of the 2 1/2 acres of secure land which comes with our home.
When we moved to The Stables we had planned on keeping livestock, and I quickly contacted Defra to require the necessary herd and flock numbers.We never forfilled this dream as I became pregnant however these are safely filled away incase you decided to do the same! We also have a stable block,and plenty of land for grazing and Sanday provides numerious stunning beaches to ride upon.
My husband did however build the most extravagant hen house and run, which the boys called the Pent-hen-house. We started with a few chicks and ended up with 16 ladies as they liked to be called! There would always be one or two jailbreakers waiting at our door each morning for their breakfasts...
The school has to be mentioned, it offers excellent teaching with friendly amazing teachers from nursery to leaving the school after secondary. The children are always treated wonderfully with visitors and themselves going on the ferry for day trips and longer holidays! With the numbers being so small the pupils are known personally and given all the help and assistance they require. Have a look at their own website and contact details for Mrs Newton, the headmistress.
www.sanday.orkney.sch.uk/
My husband's trade is joinery, and he enjoyed working here and on the other islands as well as completing all the first class joinery work in The Stables. He created the bespoke kitchen units including the oven housing unit and the handmade ledge and brace doors throughout as well as laying the solid oak floor in the large open plan family kitchen. The dining room is a beautiful room with the walls panelled in a homely country style. All the work has been completed to a very high specification, and any buyer could just move in and start enjoy all Sanday has to offer.
We had the home fully surveyed, energy reported and valued at £185.000. We are selling this one- off stunning home for a quick sale at £175.000 , but if you are in a position to purchase make us an offer so we can now start the next chapter of our lives.....
diane.hind@sky.com to view or purchase!!
The school has to be mentioned, it offers excellent teaching with friendly amazing teachers from nursery to leaving the school after secondary. The children are always treated wonderfully with visitors and themselves going on the ferry for day trips and longer holidays! With the numbers being so small the pupils are known personally and given all the help and assistance they require. Have a look at their own website and contact details for Mrs Newton, the headmistress.
www.sanday.orkney.sch.uk/
My husband's trade is joinery, and he enjoyed working here and on the other islands as well as completing all the first class joinery work in The Stables. He created the bespoke kitchen units including the oven housing unit and the handmade ledge and brace doors throughout as well as laying the solid oak floor in the large open plan family kitchen. The dining room is a beautiful room with the walls panelled in a homely country style. All the work has been completed to a very high specification, and any buyer could just move in and start enjoy all Sanday has to offer.
We had the home fully surveyed, energy reported and valued at £185.000. We are selling this one- off stunning home for a quick sale at £175.000 , but if you are in a position to purchase make us an offer so we can now start the next chapter of our lives.....
diane.hind@sky.com to view or purchase!!
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