Pick up an 11-acre isle in the Highlands for less than the average first-time buyer deposit in London
If lockdown has left you longing to quit the rat race in favour of some peace and quiet, a property being auctioned this week could be just the thing.
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The remote Scottish island of Eilean an Fheidh, or Deer Island, is up for grabs via online auction with an opening bid of just £80,000.
Given a recent report by Halifax found that first-time buyers in London now need an average deposit of more than £130,000 to take their first step on the property ladder, this seems like a serious bargain.
The island is located in Loch Moidart on Scotland’s West Coast, a popular area that attracts visitors and investors from all over the world.
No social distancing required
You won’t have to worry about bumping into anyone though – the auctioneer describes the property as a “space that can be enjoyed with zero chance of intrusion”.
The private island hideaway is uninhabited and covers 11 acres, running about 8km eastward from the sea.
Despite its isolation, Deer Island does have a rather famous neighbour, with the nearby isle of Eilean Shona owned by Vanessa Branson, sister of Richard Branson.
Offering a luxury holiday home and cottage complex, the main house on Eilean Shona – which counts Kate Winslet among its visitors – is rented out for up to £10,000 per week.
Its success can perhaps serve as a model for Deer Island's future development. While it currently lacks any amenities, the isle could be similarly transformed into a remote eco-tourism destination, subject to planning approvals.
Rural idyll
But in the meantime, the island could certainly prove an ideal camping spot. Set within the Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan National Scenic Area, it's a popular destination for sea kayaking and it’s only 30 miles from Glenfinnan and about 45 miles from Fort William and the Ben Nevis mountain range.
It's also within view of one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions, Castle Tioram, a 13th-century ruin accessible only at low tide.
The island is being sold via live online auction by Future Property Auctions. Bidding starts at £80,000 and there’s also a buyer’s fee of 2.5% of the sale price (with a minimum of £5,000 plus VAT).
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All images: Future Property Auctions