I'm in a cosy-up mood today, so I thought I'd look for some cute and teeny projects-to-be to show you. And to keep us all in that cosy state of mind, I'll keep the scary one until last.
We'll start with this pair of pretty traditional cottages on the wild and wonderful Hebridean Isle of Coll.
Honestly, this doesn't count as a 'wreck'; it's pretty much walk-in ready (former holiday lets), but the 'wreck' challenge is the difficulty of getting there and doing further work on it - such as maybe adding a bedroom or kitchen extension.
And of course the absolute weatherly wildness of living or holidaying somewhere so Northern.
But I liked that it offers a friends and family co-buying possibility, and its eco/off-grid potential.
Cottages 1 & 2 Beinn Tioradh are part of a much, much bigger sale of three lots, including a house, residential centre, offices, and 71 acres of grazing land, marshes, loch and eco-facilities, all bordering the gorgeous white beach of Hogh Bay.
All of that is owned by Project Trust, a charity that had been based on the island since the mid-70s and had been its largest employer.
It organises overseas placements for young people, including running some training events on the island. Last year, the charity decided to sell-up, citing post-Covid changes that meant their training courses could continue online rather than on Coll.
Anyway, our duo of thatched cottages sit well away from all of that in their own hilly bubble.
Both are tiny - one-bedroom with open-plan kitchen and living space, bathroom, a shared garden and utility shed.
Parking is just below the cottages and access is off the B8071 and up the gravel drive.
For sale as the pair at offers over £390k through Bidwells. Details, videos and pictures on the agent's site here.
My next pick is equally chocolate-box pretty and tiny. Much cheaper at c£150k, but then it is only one house and there may be access niggles.
Rose Cottage is at Bailey Mill, Newcastleton, just below the Scottish/Northumberland border.
It's neighbour is a trekking and outdoorsy centre, but the cottage is separate to that (or is now). However, I struggled to work out where the access to the cottage is from the road they both sit on, and there's no information on the agent's site about parking or car access.
Like our Coll cottages, Rose Cottage is one double bedroom, a sitting/dining room, plus shower room. Bigger than the Coll cottages however, and with a separate kitchen.
Looks like it's surrounded by a pretty garden area (lack of info on the agent's site again) but Google Maps shows nice, open views and, information deficit aside, it is super cute.
On the market through H&H Land and Estates with a guide price of £150k. Details and more pictures on the agent's site here.
My final pick to show you (I realise I'm descending in price and ascending in complexity this week) is this proper wreck.
Former farmhouse turned barn in west Wales. It had planning permission (lapsed) to turn it back into a home, and comes with half-an-acre of overgrown paddock to the front and side, so strong smallholding possibilities.
Lovely rural location in the Cambrian mountains, but a lot to sort - including access, connecting services etc. All of which may involve discussions with your near neighbour (and vendor?).
Although the building does back onto the lane and you could create your own access and drive across your side land (note there's also a public footpath across your land).
Not exactly straightforward as a project, but the price tag appeals and the location is fabulous. In quiet countryside, yet close to a village and in easy reach of larger towns such as Tregaron (5 miles) and Lampeter (8 miles).
On the market at £90k through Morgan Davis. Details and more pictures on the agent's site here and on Rightmove here.
And while we're cosying-up, here's today's lunch. Chunky vegetable and lentil soup I cooked before starting on this post, cheese topping and toast side. Because hot buttered toast is a cosy necessity : )
