An island for sale on Loch Lomond at the price of a suburban semi, complete with yew trees planted by Robert the Bruce
Inchlonaig Island has come to the market, a place with 7,000 years of history, delightful topography — and even a (relatively) straightforward commute. Toby Keel takes a look.

To some people, a car is simply a means of getting from point A to point B, a job which a Ford Fiesta will do just as well as an Aston Martin.
To others, food is just a means of fuelling the body, something that’s equally achievable with a few tins from the supermarket as it is with an exquisite meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
And similarly, there are people among us for whom a house is simply a convenient place to provide shelter from the elements and a place to rest at night. A studio flat would do just as well as a grand country house.
Do you fit in to any of those categories? Given that you’re reading Country Life right now, probably not: we’ve always been happiest celebrating the best things in life, from the delightful to the delicious to the hopelessly romantic. And that latter category is where today’s property sits: a quite wonderful opportunity to buy an island of your own at the cost of a suburban semi in Sydenham — namely, £995,000.
The island in question is called Inchlonaig Island, a truly gorgeous 182-acre speck on the map in Loch Lomond itself. It’s a dream of a place, largely covered in mature woodland — including some 800 yew trees — though also boasting some more open ground as well as the coves and inlets you’d expect.
Just to be clear, though, as well as a natural wonder with views of the loch and Ben Lomond, it’s also a place where you can live. Some islands are pure wildernesses — and have to be kept as such — but Inchlonaig has a two-bedroom cottage and its own jetty. Almost unbelievably, that makes it commutable: it’s roughly a mile across the water to Luss, from where you can take the main A82 and be in Glasgow in under an hour.
The island also has some interesting history, from Neolithic remains dated to 5,000BC to the local legend which claims that Robert the Bruce himself cultivated yew trees here in the 14th century. Those of a cynical bent might think that the latter is the sort of claim that’s pretty easy to make and impossible to prove one way or the other; and connections to Bruce are the medieval Scottish answer to fragments of the True Cross. Yet there are some good reasons to think there might be truth in it: yew was indeed the bow material of choice for The Bruce’s archers; Inchlonaig’s role in providing the wood for the bows used at Bannockburn has been around for centuries; and the name Inchlonaig itself even means ‘the island of yew trees’.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
That’s the island’s past, though. What of its future? Well, it has been used as a holiday let in recent years, and plans have been drawn up to redevelop the three derelict bothies that are on the island. Those plans have yet to go through any of the necessary consent processes; on top of that, the island is off the grid — there are no services of any kind to the cottage.
Cameron Ewer of Savills calls it an 'incredible and rare opportunity' to acquire a part of Scotland's history, while also 'enjoying the spectacular surroundings of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Inchlonaig Island is perhaps the ultimate in private retreats and a very special sale.'
'Very special' seems to say it all, and we’re confident that whoever the new owner is will want to keep the immense charm of this beautiful and historic little island intact. People have been coming to Inchlonaig for 7,000 years, and we’d love to imagine that it’ll still be more or less the same in 7,000 more.
Inchlonaig Island is for sale via Savills for offers over £995,000 — see more details and pictures.
Why Scotland needs more national parks – and why we’ll all gain if it gets them
Fiona Reynolds laments the lack of national parks in Scotland, and explains why the creation of new ones would benefit
Curious Questions: Why does Scotland have 30,000 lochs, but only one lake?
A moment's reflection on a cancelled pub quiz gets Martin Fone wondering about Scotland's only lake.
Beinn Dubh, Argyll and Bute: 'It'll take you a while to climb it, simply because you’ll have to stop repeatedly to admire the view'
Annunciata Elwes takes a look at the magnificent view from Beinn Dubh, found in the Luss Hills in Argyll and
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
Churchill's birthplace, Monet's London home and more in the Country Life Quiz of the Day
Try your luck at Monday's quiz of the day.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How the railways will save the countryside, with Gareth Dennis
The engineer and policy expert Gareth Dennis joins the Country Life Podcast.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
Become a part of Bath's rich history in this Grade 1-listed Georgian townhouse
With 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
By James Fisher Published
-
17 delightful homes for sale, as seen in Country Life
Our round-up of some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life this week includes a wonderful Cotswolds home and a happily affordable cottage in the West Country.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'This is the most money you'll spend on anything ever': The things that really matter when buying your first home in London
It’s easy to dream of what the ideal first-home in London might be, but when the cost of living in the capital is this expensive, being near a Gail's isn't as important as you think it is.
By James Fisher Published
-
Get lost in the whispers of a running stream at a one-bedroom Cornish cottage
Formerly the studio and retreat of renowned artist Lamorna Birch, this small home near Lamorna Cove is a delight in every single way.
By James Fisher Published
-
How the high street can change for the better
The high street might not be dying, but it's definitely changing and in some places, it's changing for the better. So, what can the centre of town in the 21st century look like?
By Lucy Denton Published
-
A 17th century country house estate for sale in Yorkshire that's not too big and not too small
Take a look inside one of the finest private houses in the north of England that's perfectly manageable as a family house.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Two-thirds of us buy a house and immediately set about refurbishing it
We spend more buying our houses than on anything else in our lives — yet the first thing we do on moving in is set about changing the place. Annabel Dixon takes a look at what we do and why.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longer
Everything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
By Rosie Paterson Published