A unique and tranquil cluster of islands has been named the UK's latest property hotspot as house hunters are flocking to live there. The cost of buying a home has continued to increase across the UK, but house prices are soaring higher here than anywhere else in the country. According to the latest figures from the Land Registry, Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands, has the highest house price growth over the last year.
The sought-after area now has an average house price of £225,587 - which has climbed 28.2 percent in the last 12 months. Lying between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, the beautiful Scottish islands sits at the northernmost region of the UK. Made up of around 100 islands, only 16 of them are inhabited, with a population of around 23,000, according to the Office for National Statistics. The largest island is known as the Mainland, and to the north of the Mainland are the North Isles of Yell, Fetlar and Unst. In the sea to the south is the island of Fair Isle, with a population just over 50 people, while Foula to the west and Out Skerries to the east are even more sparsely populated. These quaint islands have lots to offer people wanting a more peaceful life. With low crime, far from the Shetland TV series, it is a place where children can roam freely and where many homeowners live with beautiful views of the sea. Due to its location, the islands are only accessible by ferry or flight with an airport located in Sumburgh as well as a port and emergency airstrip in Lerwick. Despite short daylight hours, with Shetland having the UK's shortest day at the winter solstice with just six hours of daylight, winter is one of the busiest times of year for socialising, enjoying food and drink and embracing the season, its website says. From the spectacular tombolo at St Ninian’s Isle to the pristine sands of Meal Beach in Burra, Shetland’s beaches are always on the quiet side, and in winter it’s likely you’ll have one all to yoursel