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Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Private UK island up for sale with stunning castle ruins and iconic views
The 1,100-acre Shuna Island in the Inner Hebrides offers castle ruins, cottages, wildlife and a chance to own a slice of Scottish history as it is listed for sale A private island off the west coast of Scotland complete with castle ruins, rolling pastures, and sweeping views of the sea has been put up for sale for the first time in nearly 100 years, with an asking price of £5.5million. Shuna Island, a 1,100-acre gem nestled in the Inner Hebrides, is now on the market, offering a rare opportunity to own a wild, rugged piece of Scotland 's coastal heritage. The island lies just south of Oban, among the Slate Islands archipelago, which includes Seil, Easdale, Luing, and Torsa. Three miles long and a mile and a half wide, Shuna is an island steeped in history, wildlife, and potential. At its heart are the picturesque ruins of Shuna Castle, an early 20th-century structure with panoramic views across the Sound of Shuna. The castle's footprint, estate agents Sotheby's International Realty notes, presents possibilities for redevelopment, subject to permissions. The island has been in the same family for over 80 years, owned most recently by Viscountess Selby and her son, Edward Gully, whose ancestors purchased it in the early 20th century. Their main residence has been the traditional Shuna Farmhouse, while a scattering of eight additional properties - including holiday cottages - can house up to 52 people, hinting at potential for a hospitality venture. But this is no manicured millionaire's retreat. Shuna is as much a working island as a private idyll. It includes 81 acres of permanent pasture, 640 acres of rough grazing, and over 300 acres of native woodland and foreshore. A flock of around 220 Beulah sheep currently roams the island, and there's scope for expanding into cattle grazing. Beyond the livestock, the island teems with wildlife. Visitors and residents alike can spot red deer, sea eagles, and even porpoises in the surrounding waters. The island's raw natural beauty, combined with its biodiversity, makes it an extraordinary haven for nature lovers. The land also holds over 9,000 years of human history, dating back to the Stone Age, with burial mounds and Iron Age relics still visible across the terrain. According to legend, Shuna may be referenced in the Vita Columbae, the 7th-century account of Saint Columba, who was said to have been delayed on a place called 'Sainean Island' - believed by some to be Shuna. Through the centuries, Shuna belonged to the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata, and later passed to the powerful Maclean clan after Robert the Bruce granted the region of Lorne to the Campbells in 1321. By the 1700s, it was a bustling hub for lime production, home to kilns and as many as 100 residents, according to The Scotsman. Now, for the first time in nearly a century, the island is looking for a new chapter. With its unique mix of natural beauty, historic ruins, viable farmland and holiday homes, Shuna offers a rare opportunity for buyers seeking something beyond a luxury postcode. 'This is not just a private island,' said a spokesperson for Sotheby's International Realty, the firm handling the sale. 'It's a piece of Scottish history - wild, beautiful, and filled with potential.'
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Private Scottish island with castle up for sale for £5.5m
The 1100-acre Shuna Island, in the Inner Hebrides, is up for sale for £5.5m - and it is the first time the island has been up for sale in almost a century. The island is three miles long and a mile and a half wide, and is part of a group called the Slate Islands, which is also home to Seil, Easdale, Luing and Torsa. In the centre of the island lie the remains of Shuna Castle, an early 20th-century structure with panoramic coastal views. (Image: Nicola Lang) According to Sotheby's International Realty, who are handling the sale, the site has the potential for redevelopment. The island's previous owners were Viscountess Selby and her son Edward Gully, whose family have owned it for 80 years. Their main residence has been the Shuna Farmhouse, while there are also a number of holiday cottages spread across the island. READ MORE: Man to appear in court after armed police sealed off Edinburgh street In total, there are eight properties which are able to house 52 people on the island. There is also the possibility for livestock farming, as the island has 81 acres of permanent pasture, 640 acres of rough grazing, and more than 300 acres of native woodland and foreshore. Sotheby's International Realty said a flock of around 220 Beulah sheep also roam the land, while there is also the potential for cattle grazing. The island is "teeming" with life, the real estate agent said, with deer, eagles and porpoises all frequently spotted. Shuna's history spans more than 9000 years and features both Stone Age burial mounds and Iron Age sites. The island's earliest mention is reportedly in the Vita Columbae, recounting Saint Columba and his crew being delayed on "Sainean Island", which is believed to be Shuna. Over centuries, the island belonged to Dal Riata's Gaelic kingdom and later passed on to the Maclean clan after Robert the Bruce gifted Lorne to Clan Campbell in 1321. By the 18th century, it was a thriving lime production centre with kilns and up to 100 residents, The Scotsman reports.
