Escape the urban grind: Own a Scottish island for under £200,000
An exciting offer has emerged for those who are weary of urban life and exorbitant property prices. For a sum comparable to an apartment in a major city, you can purchase an entire island off the coast of Scotland.
31 July 2024 13:22
If you have acquired thousands of pounds and wish to spend it on something more extraordinary than a studio flat on the London outskirts, this offer may intrigue you. Fladda-Chuain (which translates from Old Norse as "flat island on the ocean") is the largest of the Fladda chain of islands, situated just under 5 kilometres from the Trotternish peninsula on the Scottish Isle of Skye. It has been listed for sale at £190,000.
An island for sale in western Scotland
Fladda-Chuain has an area of approximately 28 hectares, is 240 metres wide, and is about 1.3 kilometres long. The island, located in the Atlantic Ocean, boasts varied topography with small valleys, peaks, and cliffs. The highest point is 29 metres above sea level. The coastline includes cliffs and coves that provide several docking spots for small boats or kayaks. In the island's northern part, there is a sea lagoon protected by an outer reef.
Fladda-Chuain is steeped in fascinating folklore. Legends describe it as a sacred place where summer lasts forever, and the sun never sets. Vikings visited the island, as evidenced by an 11th-century gold ring found in 1851 and currently displayed in the National Museum of Scotland. It is also a nesting site for several species of seabirds, and in the south, a colony of seals inhabits it.
What are the catches in buying a Scottish island?
Saint Columba built a chapel on Fladda-Chuain when he introduced Christianity to the islands in the 6th century. Its ruins are still visible on the western side of the island. It is said that the chapel housed an object on the altar known as the "Weeping Stone". Legend has it that the stone was perpetually wet, and fishermen would pour three handfuls of seawater on it to ensure favourable winds and catches.
For the record, it should be noted that £190,000 is the starting price. The island is listed with Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group and will be sold to the highest bidder. There are also other considerations. On Fladda-Chuain, you can only build a small cottage, which will need to be approved by local authorities. Currently, no utilities reach the island, except for mobile phone coverage.
