With some properties it's hard to know where to start. And in the case of Inchmarnock — an island in the Firth of Clyde, just across the water from Rothesay and just 40 miles as the crow flies from Glasgow — you begin to wonder if the word 'property' is even adequate.
This beautiful island of 660 acres — which is for sale through Strutt & Parker with a £1.4m price tag — has been used by people for thousands of years. It's been a Bronze Age settlement, a medieval monastery, a burial ground for the Scots who were slain 750 years ago at the Battle of Largs, a 17th century hermit's retreat, a smugglers' hideout and a D-Day training ground.
It's been inhabited, abandoned, repopulated, farmed and very probably used as a centre of learning by early Christians. Before the current owners took it on in 1999, it had been uninhabited for a quarter of a century.
Today, it offers a huge range of possibilities for whoever decides to take the place on. Herds of prime Scottish cattle have been raised here in recent years, and that farming could easily continue — but there are also fabulous sporting and leisure opportunities on an island that has five miles of coastland, woodland and open country.
One thing the island doesn't currently have is a home — but the purchase does include a fine, four-bedroom house across the water at Straad, on the west coast of Bute.
The house, currently used as a holiday home, has its own slipway for The Marnock, a ferry that was specially-built for transporting livestock and machinery to and from Inchmarnock.
The house is modern but very pleasant with open plan kitchen, dining room and sitting room, a large master bedroom, two more good-sized bedrooms and a box room.
It's been used as a holiday home by the owners of Inchmarnock for many years and never rented out; the views are utterly charming, looking out across this beautifully-unspoilt landscape of sea, sky and islands.
While the island itself has no home at the moment, there are a number of ruined buildings — some ancient, some more modern — which could, subject to the usual approvals and procedures, be turned into habitable accommodation again.
While it'd be wonderful to see the island repopulated, of course, but there are possibilities of all sorts forsuch a prime piece of land — the ruins in particular could become magical holiday homes, for example. It's hard to imagine a prettier, safer or more secluded place for a family holiday.
Given that, and given the extraordinarily reasonable-sounding purchase price of £1.4m, it's no surprise to hear that agents Strutt & Parker expect global interest in the place.
'Inchmarnock is a stunning island rich in possibility,' says Diane Fleming of Strutt & Parker's Edinburgh office. 'It's stunning, with great heritage and is a peaceful and secluded haven, yet it is relatively accessible from Scotland’s central belt. We expect significant interest from national and international buyers.'
Inchmarnock is for sale via Strutt & Parker at £1.4m — see more details and pictures.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Credit: Strutt & Parker
An estate with glorious views and a library tower on the shores of Loch Ness
This spectacularly-located estate on the banks of Loch Ness offers grand accommodation, miles of land and a castellated tower with
Lowther Castle: The spectacular and historic gardens that rise from one of Britain's most evocative ruins
The gardens at Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, rise artfully from the ruins of their spectacular setting — yet the effort
-
Alan Titchmarsh: 'I am so weary of seeing Lutyens-style benches and chairs absolutely everywhere'A strategically placed chair doubles as a focal point and a spot to rest — but we need to move on from Lutyens-style ones says our regular garden columnist.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of them
Brithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
-
The distinctive and historic home that might just be 'one of Dorset’s most picturesque'Grade II*-listed Manor House, set in just under eight acres, dates from the 16th century.
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
