Offer available at $3.1 million for an island situated near Mull of Kintyre.
Sanda Island, positioned between Scotland and Northern Ireland, is situated off the southern end of the Kintyre Peninsula and has been the subject of the popular 1977 song "Mull of Kintyre" by Paul McCartney and Wings.
This island has held significant ties to monks, saints, and kings throughout history. It was once visited by Scottish King Robert the Bruce and Norwegian King Hacon, and its chapel has been associated with St. Columba and St. Ninian. Over the centuries, the island has had numerous owners, the most well-known being Jack Bruce of the rock band Cream.
Sanda Island can be accessed by boat, as it has stone slipways at both ends, or by helicopter. Here, amidst the tranquil rolling landscapes with rocky cliffs, are seven private properties - four located at the northern end and three at the southern end next to a charming lighthouse situated on a craggy outcrop.
The accommodation can accommodate up to 26 people, which is plenty for small gatherings at the Byron Darnton Tavern, named after a ship that ran aground off the island in 1946. It was initially established in 2003 by former owners Dick and Meg Gannon and, for a few years, provided refreshments for visitors arriving by boat. However, it ceased operations after the island was bought in 2010 by Swiss entrepreneur Michi Meier.
Owning Your Very Own Pub
The tavern, now dormant, offers the next owner the chance to turn it into a private sanctuary or to diversify and profit by providing exclusive accommodations with high-end amenities. There's also the option of reopening the pub to cater to people sailing along the West Coast.
The tavern still holds a liquor license if the next owner wishes to revive it, and it also features a registered farm code. The island once housed a small farm and still has a flock of 55 black-faced sheep that roam freely, maintaining the island's landscape without much management. "The sheep are essentially the island's lawnmower and require minimal attention," explains Tom Stewart-Moore, head of rural agency for Scotland at Knight Frank, the firm handling the sale.
Additionally, there's an abundance of wildlife on the island, perfect for bird-watching enthusiasts. Colonies of puffins, kittiwakes, cormorants, shags, and razorbills are just a few of the many bird species inhabiting the island.
Furthermore, Sanda Island is known locally as "Spoon Island" due to its shape, resembling a spoon. Spectacular views of the Antrim Hills in Northern Ireland, roughly 20 miles away across the North Channel, can be seen on clear days. Campbeltown, in Scotland, serves as the nearest port for boating access to the island and also boasts a large marina, several whisky distilleries, and Scotland's oldest cinema.
Pricing Details
Knight Frank has listed the asking price at more than £2.5 million ($3.1 million). In addition, two other islands are being included in the sale: Sheep Island, spanning 31.72 acres, and the miniaturized Glunimore Island, encompassing 4.41 acres.
The majority of the island's accommodations have undergone recent refurbishments with the addition of double-glazed windows. "Energy is currently generated on the island through three generators," states Stewart-Moore, "however, the next owners may opt to explore renewable energy sources to supplement or improve the electrical supply on the island."
He claims that they have already received a "massive number of inquiries." The potential buyers, according to Stewart-Moore, will typically fall under two categories: either a wealthy individual who seeks to use the island as their personal retreat, or someone who aims to commercialize the pub and the buildings, expand or improve the farming operations on the land, and perhaps achieve self-sufficiency.
In case this year has you desiring a life of tending sheep and living off-grid, start rifling through your couch cushions for spare change. The island of Sanda awaits those seeking this lifestyle.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
