Quirky properties with a view up for sale
TWO quirky and compact Wester Ross properties –– an old fire station and a former telephone exchange – have been put on the market.
Inverness-based Allied Souter and Jaffrey is looking for buyers for the site of a tiny fire station in Aultbea and a former telephone exchange in Applecross, with views towards Raasay and the Isle of Skye.
Built to house a single vehicle, Aultbea fire station was staffed by volunteers and part-time firemen and women. It has been replaced by a newer building as part of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service’s investment strategy.
Jeff Collins, head of agency at Allied Souter and Jaffrey, said, “These simple facilities have played vital roles in their local communities and we hope to find new uses for them, either by local businesses or a single buyer with an enthusiasm for the fire service.”
He said the Aultbea building is between 350 and 400 sq ft and would be perfect for a small workshop or business.
“With Applecross being a popular tourist destination the telephone exchange is an exciting opportunity for development. Budding broadcasters may well line up for it – the building is next door to a radio station and mast,” he said.
Aultbea is one of three rural fire stations being marketed by the estate agents – the other two are in Lochboisdale and Tongue.
Neil Johnston, Property Adviser for HIFRS, said, “The station at Aultbea was the busiest of the three. The ten-strong crew attend around 20 incidents a year, including heath fires, road traffic accidents and house fires. Tongue has a crew of seven and Lochboisdale ten – both attend around ten incidents a year.
“These facilities were vital to their communities for many years and we look forward to seeing them regenerated soon. The money from the sale of the three properties will be invested into the HIFRS estate.”
HIFRS operates one main station in Inverness, 95 retained stations and 23 community response units in an area the size of Belgium.
