A ruined 15th century castle built on ‘Treasure Island’ for a descendent of Scottish historical hero Robert the Bruce has gone on sale for less than the price of an Edinburgh flat.
The Grade A listed Muness Castle on the Isle of Unst is described as the ‘most northerly castle in the British Isles’ and comes with 240 acres of stunning Shetland landscape and a Baronial title.
The derelict building, built in 1598 for Laurence the Bruce, features circular towers at the north and south angles and an entrance surrounded by heavily fortified gun loops designed to protect the castle from invading forces.
Unst was thought to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 work Treasure Island.
Bruce left an indelible mark on the island community during a six-year reign of terror as sheriff of the Shetland Isles.
It is thought he fathered up to 24 illegitimate children with local women in addition to ten legitimate children with two wives, while also allowing his men to commandeer ships and property around the isles.
A petition from more than 700 islanders eventually saw him removed in 1577, but the unsavoury Bruce returned as ‘sheriff-depute’ a year later.
He survived a siege of Muness Castle in 1608, nine years before his death at the landmark in 1617.
The Castle later fell into disrepair after his second eldest son, Andrew Bruce, opted to abandon it and return to the family home in Perthshire.
It is now set to go under the hammer with an opening bid of £130,000 already registered.
Data from ESPC puts that in the same price bracket as one-bedroom properties in Leith and Portobello.
The new owner will also obtain full mineral rights following the discovery of gold and copper reserves found nearby during a recent geological survey, while Historic Environment Scotland (HES) manage the property free of charge as part of their commitment to preserving the country’s heritage.
John Morris from Future Property Auctions said: "This is what I love about running an auction house.
"We always get wonderful unique lots that you would not get at any other estate agencies.
"Selling a part of Scottish heritage that comes with a Barony Title and gold mineral rights, it is truly a fantastic opportunity to purchase a unique lot not to mention the 240 acres."
