A former lifeboat station for sale with views so sublime you'll have to share them with the resident red squirrels

Images of the Old Lifeboat Station at Auchencairn

(Image credit: Galbraith)

last updated 20 August 2025

Is broadband a luxury? Or is it, these days, an essential human right? It’s an interesting question, as by definition it is a luxury. However, can you imagine living without it? Bank branches are closing down, the Post Office is, well, the Post Office and cash seems to be on its way out. Could you function well enough in society without the internet?

One way to find out might be by purchasing The Old Lifeboat Station in Dumfries and Galloway, which is on the market with Galbraith for £700,000. It has no broadband. That is because it is in an extremely remote location on the Scottish coast.

Shockingly, the Old Lifeboat Station was once an old lifeboat station. Established in 1884, it was in working order until 1933, protecting Auchencairn Bay. The current property was purchased and converted in the late 1990s, winning the Best Conversion in Scotland award from the Daily Telegraph in 2003.

The front room, with wooden beams and beautiful views — The sitting room, with views over Auchencairn Bay.

It’s not difficult to understand why you would want to build a house or live here. The property comes with 6 acres of woodland, which hums with wildlife, including red squirrels that come down and use the feeders on the deck, ‘where they provide hours of entertainment to young and old alike’, say the agents.

Red squirrels feasting on the deck — Squirrels!

The property itself offers 3-4 bedrooms and two reception rooms, as well as exceptional views over the bay of Auchencairn.

From the sitting room, floor-to-ceiling windows and doors allow you to appreciate this wilderness whatever the weather. A garage sits above the house on the hill, and offers space for six cars.

A dirt-track driveway to the property winds through some woodlands — It's a rare day when I go 'look at that driveway', but also, look at that driveway.

The village of Auchencairn is a few miles away to the north-west, and offers a ‘strong sense of community’, as well as its own church, primary school, bowling green, post office, shop and a cafe. The Balcary Bay Hotel is also nearby, providing fine dining and accommodation.

Back to the original question. Do you need broadband? I guess it depends what for. In a place such as this, it might be something of a distraction. What use is Twitter, or X, or Instagram, when you have that scenery and view?

The Old Lifeboat Station is for sale with Galbraith for £850,000. For more information and pictures, click here

James Fisher is the Digital Commissioning Editor of Country Life. He writes about motoring, travel and things that upset him. He lives in London. He wants to publish good stories, so you should email him.

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