Exciting times here at Country Life as, once again, the opportunity has arisen to buy a Scottish Island. Would you like to buy an island? I would like to buy an island. I don’t have the money, nor do I really know what I would do with an island, but such is the human condition that I am convinced — convinced — I need one.
The island in question is called Sanda Island and it is off the Mull of Kintyre (not to be confused with the song by Wings, of course). It is for sale with Knight Frank for the (in my opinion, very reasonable, because it is an entire island) sum of £2.5 million or more.
And the good news just keeps on coming. Because included in the sale of Sanda Island, are in fact two further islands: Sheep Island and Glunimore Island. In total, the operation is about 453 acres in total, which is plenty of space to start your plans for world domination and killing James Bond, beginning a cult, or whatever else a private island is used for.
You might be thinking: ‘Yes a wonderful idea to have one’s own island, but is there somewhere to sleep?’ The good news is that there isn’t one place to sleep, but rather seven. On the northern tip are four residential properties, with three more on the southern tip, next to the lighthouse — the last thing you need is an oil tanker or nuclear submarine bashing into your house while you sleep. Accommodation wise, your island, should you choose to buy it, can sleep 26 people in its current state.
They aren’t shacks either, as the current owners have refurbished the majority of the houses and installed double glazing, new showers and underfloor heating. They aren’t necessarily of the highest standards when it comes to interior design, but they are functional. There is also a tavern on the island, so you won’t have to worry about not having a pub to go to, although of course you would be serving yourself. But it’s the idea that counts.
Of course the main reason (beyond the whole supervillain lair/James Bond thing) that you would buy an island such as this one is to get involved in nature. On the island itself, there are some deer and 55 black-faced sheep. On the wilder side of things, you can expect to see puffins, storm petrels, razorbills, manx shearwater, kittiwake, gulls and, of course, cute fat seals.
If, after reading this, you are inspired to purchase this island, I make only one request: please invite me over for a visit.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
A £13 million Wiltshire mansion where Nancy Mitford and Siegfried Sassoon once partied with 'the brightest of the Bright Young Things'
After Wilford Manor's glory days in the 1920s it became a near-wreck with a tree was growing out of one of
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Log cabins, beachside masterpieces and a house with its own cave: Nine incredible homes for sale around the world
Our pick of some of the best international property to come up for sale via Country Life.
-
LAPICIDA — Tile & Stone SpecialistLapicida is a world-class specialist in luxury surfaces.
-
What lies beneath: The weird and wonderful things lurking in Britain's museum basementsFrom radioactive rocks to great white sharks, and a dolphin called Boris, the things stored in Britain's museum basements make the mind boggle — and now plans are afoot to improve visitor access.
-
A converted bothy on the shores of Loch Tay from which to enjoy the fresh tastes of SpringWaterfall Cottage offers four bedrooms and a garden that stretches right down to the lapping waters.
-
An idyllic home in Hampshire that's perfect for the musical mindLyewood House sits in 3.5 acres and comes with a purpose built recording studio and an outdoor heated pool.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
