Part of remote Scottish isle once home to famed shark hunter goes up for sale

Daily Record

2 days ago

The former home of shark hunter Tex Geddes, who bought Soay with his wife Jeanne, is now up for sale along with much of the island
The former home of Scotland's most famous shark hunter, along with much of the island he once ruled, has hit the market, offering a rare chance to own a piece of Hebridean legend.
The property, which belonged to the late Tex Geddes, is now being sold by his family. The sale includes the house itself as well as around 1,500 acres of croftland, roughly 60 per cent of the island of Soay, located off the coast of Skye. Offers over £975,000 are being sought.
‌
Geddes, a colourful figure known as much for his exploits at sea as on land, bought the island in 1952 from naturalist Gavin Maxwell, with whom he had previously hunted basking sharks across the Hebrides.
‌
The pair operated a shark oil processing plant on Soay, harvesting the prized liver oil of the massive creatures. For over two centuries, these gentle giants were hunted in west coast waters for the commodity.
Agents Strutt & Parker described the listing as an 'extremely rare opportunity', noting the property includes a 'large portion' of the island in one of the most dramatic settings in the western Highlands.
'The Island of Soay is located in one of the most dramatic settings in the western highlands, located in the middle of Loch Scavaig,' the listing reads.
'Lying in the shadow of the iconic Black Cuillin mountains of Skye to the north, the island also enjoys panoramic views to the mountains of Knoydart and Ardnamurchan in the east. The other Inner Hebridean islands of Eigg, Muck, Rhum and Canna also provide an interesting seascape to the west.'
‌
The house, a traditional stone and slate building set on the shore of Camus nan Gall, includes two public rooms downstairs and two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. A former meeting hall has been added to the southern gable. While the property is in need of full renovation, it sits near a cluster of buildings owned by other parties.
Access to Soay is by boat from Elgol on Skye.
‌
Geddes, who died in 1998, was no ordinary islander. A former boxer, knife thrower and rum runner, he once trained at Meoble Lodge near Lochailort, a Second World War special operations base, where he met Maxwell. Their shark-hunting adventures later became the stuff of legend.
In his autobiography Hebridean Sharker, Geddes recounted how they initially hunted using little more than hand harpoons: 'In retrospect some of our early hand harpoons appeared ridiculously inadequate; we might as well have tried to catch a shark with a kitchen fork.'
He added: 'Should I live to be a hundred, I will never forget the sight of towing my first shark into Mallaig harbour.'
‌
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Life on the island also inspired others. Island on the Edge, a memoir by Anne Cholawo, chronicles her decision to move to Soay from London, revealing the unique challenges and magic of life on the edge of civilisation.
The land for sale includes a rich mix of pasture, rough grazing, woodland and eight named hill lochs. Agents say it offers outstanding potential for environmental and woodland schemes, as well as opportunities to enjoy the area's 'natural capital'.
'There is also a population of red deer on Soay which offers some stalking for sport and management purposes,' they added.
Sailing enthusiasts may also find themselves drawn to the site, thanks to an 'extremely sheltered natural harbour' to the north east of the house.