How Cotality helped Strutt & Parker capture global attention with Thorne Island

When one of the UK’s largest property consultants, Strutt & Parker Estates and Farm Agency Department, took on the sale of Thorne Island - a private fortress island off the Pembrokeshire coast - they needed a marketing package that could do justice to one of the country’s most unique properties.

Cotality was commissioned to deliver a full suite of property marketing assets designed to capture the drama, history, and beauty of this extraordinary site. From high-end drone cinematography to immersive photography and social media-ready content, the team crafted a visual story that showcased Thorne Island at its very best.

The result?

A campaign that reached buyers not just in the UK but globally, with coverage across BBC, CNN, CBS News, Country Life, The Independent - plus viral exposure on YouTube and TikTok.

Partnership with Strutt & Parker

Cotality has worked with Strutt & Parker for many years. This long-standing relationship was central to the success of Thorne Island, which required a high degree of trust in both people and processes.

Assignments like this demand not only creativity but also logistical precision and a deep understanding of premium property marketing. Thorne Island was no exception - calling for innovation, precision, and compelling storytelling.

Services delivered

Cotality provided a full suite of premium visual assets, including:

• Drone Photography & Videography - FPV technology to create cinematic sequences that placed viewers right in the action and highlighted the dramatic arrival by sea.

• Interior & Exterior Photography - capturing the historic fort’s unique character while highlighting its scale, atmosphere, and connection to the surrounding landscape.

• Cinematic Videography - using stabilised, high-resolution footage to create a lifestyle-led narrative, blending sweeping exteriors with intimate interior detail.

• Floorplans & Digital Assets - producing clear, accurate layouts alongside interactive materials to help potential buyers understand the property’s structure and explore it remotely.

All assets were created for multi-platform use, from print brochures to online listings and social media content, ensuring maximum reach and impact.

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Project challenges

Marketing Thorne Island presented unique challenges:

Remote Island Location: Meant access only by boat, with crew arrival and equipment delivery coordinated around tide times.

Environmental Constraints: High winds tested aerial stability, fortress walls disrupted drone signals and seagulls interfered with drone flights.

These challenges required careful planning, adaptability, and creative problem-solving.

Tech-driven solutions

Rather than hindering the shoot, these challenges became opportunities to push the boundaries of property marketing technology.

Specialist FPV drone equipment allowed the team to capture dramatic aerial sequences that highlighted the island’s dramatic setting. Segmented indoor drone flights and relocated control points overcame signal interference, enabling immersive interior fly-throughs.

Close collaboration with Strutt & Parker ensured the creative vision and logistics were aligned from the start. On-site, the team switched fluidly between photography, videography, and drone footage while assisting with staging, maximising coverage in a limited timeframe.

Thorne Island was a project where technology and experience really came together. The environment was demanding, but by planning carefully and using the latest property marketing tools, we were able to turn challenges into opportunities and capture the island in a way that truly connected with audiences. ‍

David Price, Property Marketing Director, Cotality

Highlight moments

The Thorne Island shoot delivered several standout moments that brought the property’s drama, scale and character to life. These not only showcased the unique architecture and setting but also illustrated the immersive, technology-driven approach Cotality delivered to the campaign.

Cinematic FPV Sequence: A speedboat approach was tracked by drone, sweeping around a rocky outcrop before transitioning seamlessly indoors - showcasing the property’s drama and exclusivity.

Social Media Impact: Short-form video clips were produced with the agent on-site, optimised for social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, giving the campaign a strong digital edge.

‍Conclusion

The Thorne Island project demonstrates the impact of combining technology with professional expertise.

FPV drones, cinematic videography, and digital-first storytelling created an immersive campaign that showcased the property’s unique character, connected with a wide-reaching audience, and generated media attention far beyond standard property portals.

For Strutt & Parker, this approach turned a remote Welsh island into an experience that could be seen, felt, and remembered - proving that innovation, planning, and expert execution can elevate premium property listings far beyond the capabilities of traditional marketing reach.

With innovation, careful planning, and expert execution, even the most challenging properties can be presented in a way that drives visibility, engagement, and measurable results for clients.