After more than 80 years in the same family an entire private island with its own castle has come on to the market for the price of an inner London house.
Shuna Island off the west coast of Scotland in Argyll is up for sale for the first time since the Second World War for £5.5 million.
The island spans 1,110-acre and comes with a derelict fairytale castle that would enable you to live out all your Beauty and the Beast fantasies.
While the castle, wihch was built in the 20th century, certainly needs some TLC – read: more crumbling ruins than habitable residence – it is ripe for development, subject to planning and a pot of gold, and lays claim to arguably the best views on the island of the surrounding loch and rugged coastline.
Elsewhere, there’s a livestock farm and abundant wildlife, from deer to porpoises and eagles, all set against rolling hills and sheltered bays.
Surprisingly, the infrastructure is thoroughly modern with a renewable energy system that includes wind turbines, back-up generators and photovoltaic panels, as well as other innovations, making the island pretty sustainable and self-sufficient.
In addition to the castle and farm, there is a total of eight residences – each with their own character and setting, including a farmhouse, cottage and boat house – meaning those with the vision and means could either a) create their own lucrative holiday-let business, or b) create their own off-grid village and community away from the chaos of mainstream society.
Club together with friends, perhaps? It isn’t the worst idea…
“The main castle is derelict and has been since the mid 80s,” explains Alex Collins, director of sales at Sotheby’s International Realty United Kingdom, the listing agent.
“The Gully Family own the island but live on nearby Seal Island, although father Eddie still continues to farm it and has done so for the last 80 years. The family is selling as Eddie is getting older and the two brothers now have their own businesses and jobs on the mainland.”
He adds: “There’s so much opportunity on Shuna, whether that’s looking to create more of a business through the already thriving holiday cottages, or doing something with the derelict castle. It really is a place of seclusion and privacy while still remaining well connected to the mainland.”
Indeed, it’s just 55 and 45 minutes by chopper to Glasgow and Islay airports respectively – there’s a private helipad, of course – with easy boat access from Craobh Haven Marina and Arduaine Pier direct to your own pier.
Meanwhile, the seaside town of Oban is just 20 miles away.
