Spotted another island for sale, Pladda, for the price of a decent house

I used to look for these sales, but just catch them by chance findings now.

At 350 k, it’s not that much more than one of my neighbour’s houses, which has just gone on the market – although the asking price was something of a surprise, and I think somewhat ambitious on the part of the estate agent, in today’s economy. I’ll be interested to see how long it takes to sell, although I have noticed the media claims that house prices are rising, so maybe they know better than me.

On the same theme, from memory at least (so possibly not all that reliable), I think most of these islands end up selling for less than the opening price, since the reality is that they come with costs, and aren’t an investment.

It comes with a lighthouse, helipad, and accommodation, and lies off the southern coast of Arran – it’s not big, about 700m long and a little over 33 acres. The estate agent thinks there is also an extensive range of traditional outbuildings with “development potential”.

The lighthouse is operational, but playing ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ is not part of the deal, as it was fully automated back in 1990 and is remotely monitored from the Northern Lighthouse Board base in Edinburgh.

Recall I suggested it wasn’t really an investment – the place is probably run down or even derelict, as it hasn’t been lived on for some years, so no ‘Buy and move in tomorrow’ option.

Sold by the Arran Estate 30 years ago to fashion designers Derek and Sally Morten – its current owners, but not residents.

I found this excellent Geograph image from 2007, showing the island might be ideal, just the right distance from the neighbours, and even shaped so you can maximise the distance between yourself and that irritating ‘friend’ that insisted on dropping in uninvited.

I never thought I’d fulfil my retirement dream

But I did!

Although I have to admit – I though the island would have been called Bute, rather than Traffic.

It’s Scottish island sale time again – this time one I’ve seen, Inchmarnock

It’s been a while since a Scottish island was mention in the For Sale column, and news of this one made me look twice since I’ve seen it quite a few times, together with the little landing-craft style ferry which services it.

Not quite a “stone’s throw” from the Isle of Bute, Inchmarnock lies about a mile to the west of the larger island. There’a car park and viewpoint where you can stop and look across to the smaller island, and usually see the little ferry (Marnock) moored somewhere nearby too.

Never looked like this whenever I was there, but then again, photographer Zak does have the advantage of being there, unlike those of us who just enjoyed the odd day here and there.

Inchmarnock from Bute

I never really though about buying – but now know the asking price (today at least) is offers over £1.4 million.

We’ll see how that goes – I may be relying on my memory rather than running off to spend time researching, but I think most of these sales have either never happened, or seen a drastic reduction (thing half a million or so) before they did.

As far as I’ve read over the years (and the sale documents will be more up to date) some buildings are occasionally used by the owner of the island, but most are now empty/derelict. There was chapel, St Marnoc’s, but that is just remains. The Isle of Bute Museum (I think/hope, it’s a long time since I was last there) mentioned a bronze Age cairn discovered at Northpark. This held the remains of what became known as The Queen of the Inch, a 3,500 year old woman decorated in a jet bead necklace and with a dagger and housed beneath a glass panel.

There’s a World War II connection. Like a number of coastal regions around this area of Scotland, landing training and exercises were carried out on the shore (using craft similar to Marnock), in preparation for the D-Day landings.

Nowadays, the ferry carries livestock to and from the island, for grazing.

The island was bought by Lord Smith of Kelvin in 1999.

Someone’s been out with their new drone, so you can have a ‘virtual’ look at the island from this link.

Inchmarnock Island music – struttandparker-1

In the media:

Stunning Scottish island with rich history on sale for £1.4m

From the selling agent:

A peaceful and historic private island estate in the Firth of Clyde.

Lovely shot of Marnock underway – and far better than anything I ever took, usually just a little dot moored in the sound.

Marnock from Zak’s collection

So, Tanera Mòr was sold, now to be made ‘better’

The sales of islands we’ve spotted being put up for sale are not usually as well highlighted as the offers for sale, so we usually miss them.

But Tanera Mòr, bought by Ian and Saffron Wace in May 2017 for around £2 million, has broken surface and been noticed, probably because of the amount of redevelopment they’re going to try – if they don’t offend to many authorities.

It’s no secret that many shy away from such things are there are now so many rules and regulations restricting change, or causing work to be expensive if traditional methods are demanded.

These proposals look ambitious:

Three communities – at Ardnagoine, Tigh-an-Quay and Garadheancal – are to be created so different groups of guests can occupy Tanera at a time or one large party can take over the entire island.

Buildings will be made from “ruined structures” which are to be redeveloped “in keeping with their historical context and place within the wider landscape”.

Cafes, social spaces and a church will also be built alongside an already existing post office.

Staffing would include up to ten full-year residents, with an additional 20 part-time workers.

Developers hope the the (sic) island, accessible by a ferry service from near Ullapool, will be a place for people “to escape to” for celebrations or those who enjoy creative pursuits.

However, it has already hit a stumbling block as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has objected unless modifications are made to the tracks so as not to disturb peat and wetlands.

The island is home to various protected species including the European otter, and it has flora which is unusual for the area as there are no sheep, rabbits or deer to feed on it.

Via Developers hope to turn tiny island into holiday retreat

Old Herring Factory Tanera Mòr

Isle of Ulva is on offer – six residents interested

I usually spot islands going up for sale, but I don’t think the initial offer made the major papers (it was in the Oban Times, and I spotted it in some of the larger titles, but not ones I get feeds from).

The Isle of Ulva went on the market for around £4.25 million back in July (I think).

It lies not far from the mainland, only a few hundred metres over the Sound of Ulva from the settlement of Ulva Ferry on Mull to the pier on the Ulva.

In terms of size it is about 7.5 miles long, 2.5 miles wide, and a little over 4.500 acres.

Ulva House was built in 1950, to replace its predecessor after a fire, and is B-listed.

Ulva House

There’s also a sporting lodge, a church (by Telford), a small restaurant and tea room let on commercial tenancy, a restored blackhouse, and nine other assorted residential properties

 

But perhaps more interesting than the fact of the sale itself is the reference to the Land Reform Act (2003) and how that is said to have allowed the North West Mull Community Trust to register an interest in buying the Inner Hebridean island, hoping to attract new residents and increase economic activity. A mere six residents are reported today, while there were some 500, two hundred years ago, and 800 at peak occupancy.

The Act is by no means new, but this appears to be the first case in which it has been cited in the purchase of an island.

Via First step in Isle of Ulva buyout approved

I think I’ll wait until another appears, one of the smaller bargains at around £250 k.

The island of Little Ross is up for sale

I’m always intrigued to see how often small islands around Scotland come up for sale – even more so when I think that I could maybe sell up everything (and I really mean EVERYTHING) and maybe have the one of the cheapest for myself.

Then stuff like ‘Cost of ownership’ and ‘Reality’ (not to mention ‘Eating’) start to appear – and I stop having such foolish thoughts.

Liken it to buying a second-hand (or even a new) Ferrari – you might get it home and enjoy looking at it, but for most ‘ordinary’ folk, the first year would probably ruin them with the various running costs if they actually drove it too. And don’t even think about the pain of any repair costs if warranty or policy did not apply.

But back to the island.

On offer is the island of Little Ross, with offers over £325,000 being invited.

It will be interesting to see if it sells, as the trend has (for the ones I’ve eyed up, and the sale info has not been kept private) been for them to hang around for a while, not sell for ages, or have their price dropped to help them along – or they do sell, but the details are held private, with hints that the price was not changed (much).

The lighthouse tower – which is not included in the sale – was designed and built by Alan Stevenson at the mouth of Kirkcudbright Bay to close the gap between other lighthouses at the Mull of Galloway and Southerness. and first lit in 1843.

It was manned until 1960.

Little Ross

Complete with history of murder

In this case, the island comes with an interesting history.

In 1960, the lighthouse keeper was killed by a colleague.

Keeper Hugh Clark was found dead on the island and his assistant Robert Dickson was later tried and found guilty of his murder.

Keepers’ houses

The listing includes a six-bedroom, B-listed cottage and courtyard which is next to an operational lighthouse tower which is not part of the deal.

Via: Little Ross lighthouse island up for sale

It’s a bargain compared to a castle

Looking at recent news, I spotted a castle up for sale, for mere £3.75 million.

Admittedly, Glenborrodale Castle actually includes TWO isolated islands (Risga and Eilean an Feidh)along with its 16 bedrooms, not forgetting the tennis court, gym and sauna, commercial kitchen, games room, boat house with jetty, and of course, live-in accommodation for your staff.

But a look at recent castle sales and stories show they are just a liability, bringing annual maintenance bills which will (like the apparently desirable Ferrari mentioned at the start) soon cripple you financially.

But, if you have your own oil-well, or a Facecrook page, you might be interested…

Dream home: Highland castle goes on the market for £3.75m

 

Rubh’a Chruidh sold again – nice profit too

I first noticed Rubh’a Chruidh for sale back in 2010, seven years ago, when I expressed my own opinion that the price tag of £430,000 was a little ambitious.

I went further, suggesting that in the market of the time, a price of something closer to £100,000 might have been more realistic, and noted that having been reported as sold, the then listing of properties online showed that the sale had not been made, and it was ‘For Sale’ again.

It seems it made its asking price back then:

Mr Hamilton, a keen sailor, fought off international interest to buy the island in 2010 for £426,000 and after demolishing the existing bungalow commissioned his new home in 2012.

…

Mr Hamilton, who demolished the only house on Rudh-A-Chruidh, an old bungalow, to make way for a stunning architect designed home, owned the island, which has its own helipad and boathouse, for six years.

There’s no indication in the news story about the cost of the “stunning architect designed home“, but the lucky owner clearly made a nice little profit from the sale of the island, which was on the market for offers over £950,000 and he confirmed had sold for “near enough the asking price”.

Via Farmer buys Scotland’s ‘island gem’ Rudh-A-Chruidh for £1m

I spotted the original sale back in 2010, with this pic to hand:

Rubh’a Chruidh island bungalow as seen from the passing ferry © Peter Barr via Geograph

As noted in the news story, that bungalow has been demolished, and the new home looks like:

Viewed from the Mull ferry

Out of interest, the monument atop the hill behind the house is for David Hutcheson, founder of the Hebridean ferries which evolved into Caledonian MacBrayne, CalMac.

Eilean da Mheinn (Harbour Island) is for sale for a mere £500,000

Seriously small cash for your own island, even compared to some sales I’ve noted in recent years, and with some prices having to be cut by that amount in an attempt to generate interest among potential buyers.

There is a tiny problem with this tiny island, and that’s its degree of privacy and/or isolation.

As can be seen from the pic below, you may not be on the mainland, but under some criteria, I suspect you would not even be considered to be on an island since you are just not sufficiently far away. I have read of some larger, populated islands that are not much further away than this, and they either do not qualify, or have to fight ‘tooth and nail’ to get grants and other payments that would be more or less automatic if they were further out to sea.

View of Crinan Harbour, and the Eilean da Mheinn, from the ridge above.

Per the selling agent’s blurb, it’s been owned by someone who just liked being there, and is now a ‘fixer upper’. Or, if you’re like me, just ready to move into as a bargain, not inflated by some damned developer who has ‘upgraded’ it, and inflated the price to make a quick profit.

Harbour Island is reached in a matter of minutes by boat from Crinan Harbour and is therefore a fantastically located private haven without being too remote.

Its coastline is rugged with wild gardens and woodland inland all of which attract a spectacular array of wildlife and seabirds.

The house comprises around 1000 square feet and is single storey built under a slate roof. Although in need of significant improvement, it offers flexible accommodation all on one level, with access from a porch to the side which leads to the hallway with two storage cupboards. The hallway gives access to all the main rooms: a sitting room with conservatory off, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom with separate WC. There is a wooden outbuilding with guest room and shower room, a boathouse and slipway. The house, outbuildings and grounds are in need of significant improvement but Harbour Island offers a wonderful opportunity for a nautically-minded new owner to make their mark on this unique place.

Harbour Island, Crinan, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8SW. Offers Over £500,000.

Via Private Scottish island with three bedroom cottage up for sale: The Scotsman

Have fun, as commenters have pointed out one or two little ‘oopsies’ in that article.

£500,000 knocked off island price after it fails to sell

We don’t seem to have spotted this island when it first went up for sale, apparently a year ago. Eilean Righ, which is said to translate into King’s Island by some, and the Lord’s Isle by others (I have no ides, so am offering both):

A SCOTTISH island has had its asking price slashed by £500,000 after failing to attract a buyer in a year.

With its commanding position in the middle of a loch, King’s Island could be fit for royalty.

But King’s Island, translated from the Gaelic Eilean Righ, failed to find somebody willing to pay £3 million.

It has now been re-advertised at £2.5 million.

The isle off the Argyll coastline within Loch Craignish was put on the market by a top City trader in June last year.

It has been owned since 1999 by former Goldman Sachs market trader, Christian Siva-Jothy, who once enjoyed almost mythical status among the City’s financial community.

That all came to an end in 2011, when he closed down the $200 million business he began after leaving Goldman Sachs and made a stunning confession about his ability to play the market.

Mr Siva-Jothy wrote to investors in his firm SemperMacro: ‘In this business, you are only as good as your last few trades.

‘Mine have not been very good. Whether I have lost my edge or simply need a break after 23 years, I am not sure. I certainly hope it’s the latter.’

Via: Scots island price slashed after lack of interest – The Scotsman

Also: Property Listing – The Scotsman

According to the latest story, while there has been some interest, this has been from overseas, and nothing has come of it.

It has had some interesting owners, and some interesting features:

As well as a four-bedroomed principal house (there is another), the 238-acre island comes complete with a giant 500sq metre helicopter hangar, two slipways and a jetty.

King’s Island has had a number of colourful owners over the years. In the 1930s, it was home to Sir Reginald Johnston, the retired tutor to the last Chinese Emperor, Puyi.

Sir Reginald built a Buddhist temple on the island and flew the Manchukuoan flag in the Chinese-style gardens.

It later passed into the hands of a retired Indian Army officer, Lord Wilfred Brown and James Waldegrave, the Viscount Chewton.

The houses are described as being refurbished, and have mains electricity and broadband.

The houses on Eilean Righ island © Gordon Brown via geograph

Another little Scottish island – Gigalum – is for sale

I have to confess I have never heard the name before, or think I ever saw the name on a map, but the little island of Gigalum has been placed on the market, and it looks like a bargain, with offers of only over £550,000 being asked for. While I won’t be placing an offer, I do watch the prices of houses being sold around me, and even in the east end of Glasgow, that’s not necessarily a rare selling price.

The island covers about 19 acres, has a jetty that aids access to the nearby islands of Gigha and Cara, and only one building – Gigalum House, built in 1980 and described as having a unique structure with a central octagonal core as its living space, surrounded by four wings housing three bedrooms and a kitchen.

The estate agent states that it has potential, subject to planning consent, for a renewable energy scheme or more homes.

Via: Remote island up for sale at £550k | Herald Scotland

Gigalum from Gigha with Kintyre behind © Bob Jones via geograph

Update

Just over a year later, and I see that Gigalum is still for sale:

Private Island for sale – Gigalum Island, Great Britain, Europe & Atlantic Ocean

The price seems to have dropped to “offers over GBP 450.000”.

There’s also a complete set of pics in that offer for sale, including views of the octagonal Gigalum House.

Now the island of Tanera Mòr is for sale and for only £2.5 million

I wonder if the rules for selling islands are the same as for soft-tops (convertibles)?

Unless you positively, definitely, have to, must sell it tomorrow, then you keep it under cover until the first sunshine of spring greets the World with blue and cloudless skies. Failing to do so reportedly knocks a whole chunk of money of the price you can expect to set and get.

Tanera Mòr is the largest and only inhabited island in the Summer Isles in Wester Ross, and cover approximately 800 acres (324 ha).

It is now being offered on the open market by its current owners (the Wilder family) after the local Coigach community declined the option of a buyout due to the number of local project they already have underway. The family bought the island in 1996, after selling their dairy farm in Wiltshire.

The island comes with six properties for holiday letting, a sailing school, and a café and Post Office. The latter were developed within an old boathouse, and the Post Office has permission to issue its own stamps.

Tanera Mòr island has been placed on the market with a guide price of £2.5 million.

The sale is being handled by the Inverness office of property consultants CKD Galbraith.

Via Tanera Mor in Summer Isles on sale for £2.5m

And Idyllic island Tanera Mòr to go on sale with £2.5m price tag | Highlands & Islands | News | STV

Tanera Mòr Cafe PO © PETER PLUCKNETT via geograph

Looks as if there was once some industry on the island, as there is also a photograph of an old abandoned herring factory:

Tanera Mòr, old herring factory © Bob Jones via geograph

They seem to have a thing about the old red telephone box there too.

I wonder of any of them work?

Update

In April 2014, the price was cut by more than £500,000…

A PRIVATELY-OWNED Ross-shire island is on the market once again – with its price tag slashed by over half a million pounds.

Tanera Mòr, an 800-acre island in Wester Ross, was put up for sale last May at an asking price of offers over £2.5 million.

But despite attracting worldwide interest, no buyer could be found for Tanera, the largest and only inhabited island of the Summer Isles which lie off Achiltibuie.

Now selling agents Savills and CKD Galbraith are jointly marketing the island for offers over £1,950,000.

Via Half-million price cut for Ross island | North Star | News