Pete and Christine Hope, from Strond, were celebrating at a London hotel after clinching Grand Designs Home of the Year with their Black Sheep House, a sheep-shed turned luxury-pad, when a bah-humbug thief pinched their silver trophy from the bar.
The couple, who moved from Sheffield to Harris in 2003, are now appealing for its safe return so they can display it in their quirky former black-house, which was voted Best UK Conversion in the Channel Four show, before clinching last Friday's final against four top contenders.

"It is hard to believe that we beat so many amazing properties, but it is even harder to believe that someone would pinch the prize from right under our nose!" said Mr Hope, a punk singer turned stonemason. "We are used to the low crime Isles now where you can put something down and trust it won't be stolen.

Despite appeals by show producer Talkback Thames asking the thief to hand back the prize, the couple left London empty-handed.

"It's a bit spoil-sport of them but it doesn't take away the kudos of winning," said Mrs Hope, who has swapped social work for rug making since moving to Harris. "We just hope they are enjoying it – and that it wasn't just dumped in a bin."

The Hopes, who spent 18-months and £130k building turf and stone Black Sheep, with much local support, are currently renting the property as holiday accommodation to recoup a budget overspend. Once they return to their dream home, with its one-in-a-million sunset views, they plan is to build again.

"We loved designing and building, and though it was hard work, we can't wait to do it again," Mrs Hope said.
To find out more about Black Sheep House visit the website www.blacksheephouse.co.uk

What an unexpected accolade, Grand Designs Home of the Year!
Thanks to everyone for their support & enthusiasm, especially our
neighbours and friends in South Harris and all those involved with
the build :-
Stuart Bagshaw & Associates, Reuben & Axel (Miles of Harris
Construction),
John Mackay & Sons (especially Cally), Seonidh & Peter Mackay
(electric & plumbing),
Billy Macleod (plasterer), everyone at the Build Centre, Duncan &
John (the Kitchen Centre)
& everyone else who played a part. Cheers, Pete & Christine.