Black Sheep House in Strond, sheep shelter turned luxury pad, will battle for 'Best Conversion' title, competing against a handful of top UK properties. It will be the first of five categories to be judged by public poll during the coming week.

The eco-friendly former Blackhouse, rebuilt over 18-months by owners Pete and Christine Hope, hits the limelight on Sunday (May 4), the first of five live evening shows. If it wins its section it will compete to become overall 'Home of the Year'.

It is not the first time stone-built Blacksheep has courted property stardom. The luxury waterside property, restored in 2006 to the tune of £130k, was a nominee for the Grand Designs Awards 2007. It later scooped an eight page spread in glossy Grand Designs Magazine.

"Last year we were up against properties four times our budget, as well as listed buildings, so we expect the same this time round," said Pete, 49, a singer songwriter and professional dry-stone dyker. He hopes that the public will fall for their property's simple charm and its unique Hebridean setting. "Whatever happens it is good to think the Outer Hebrides will appear on prime-time TV," he said.

A Channel Four crew travelled to the island last month to gather footage for Sunday's show. Presenter Naomi Cleaver, interviewed the Sheffield-sprung pair on the property's low-slung turf roof, against a sparkling Sound of Harris backdrop.

"The place looked spectacular that day so it should win over a few hearts!" said former social worker Christine, 53, who was chuffed to lend Naomi her tartan wellies for the occasion. "Let's hope the black-sheep stands out from the crowd."

Formerly known as 'Plague House' and 'Deaf Thomas's', Black Sheep is thought to be one of Harris's oldest remaining Blackhouses. Set snug on Strond's sunset shore, its wild-flower roof, cut from land nearby, and rugged, metre-thick, walls merge seamlessly with the landscape. The glint of sea on curved glass is often its only give-away. Yet it is a tardis: two bedrooms, bathroom and airy, open plan, living space all combining character-laden reclaimed materials with 21st century chic.

Energy saving features include a cutting edge exhaust-heat pump which recycles stale air to boost under-floor heating system and domestic hot water.

It is a far cry from 2004 when Pete and Christine discovered it: then a dung-filled eyesore. But to them it was always perfect. They had moved to Harris hoping to create their own home and, despite a modest budget, knew it was possible if they did most of the work themselves.

"Some people thought we were mad, but for us it became a mission to prove that restoring a beautiful old blackhouse as a living space was affordable and rewarding," said Pete. "These buildings are the enlightened architecture of ordinary folk, more energy efficient than most modern homes. They should be celebrated and used, not left to ruin."

The couple built the home intending to move straight in, but are currently renting it as holiday accommodation to cover a budget shortfall. Their dream is to one-day undertake another similar project.

"You might not have said that when we were battling the gales and fighting off midges, but we are itching to put our new found skills into practise again," said Pete.

To find out more about BlackSheep House visit www.blacksheephouse.co.uk