Britain’s remotest home is on the market for £80,000, but viewing it poses a challenge.
Located on the uninhabited Copinsay Island in Orkney, even the estate agents recommend using a helicopter for access.
The island has been uninhabited since the last families left in 1985, and in the 1990s, a prospective buyer received a £1 million quote to connect the lighthouse and farmstead to mains electricity.
As a result, the keeper’s cottage relies on storage batteries and Calor gas, with potential future solar or wind power installations.
Prospective buyers seeking tranquility need not worry.
Britain’s remotest home is on the market for £80,000, but viewing it poses a challenge
Located on the uninhabited Copinsay Island in Orkney, even the estate agents recommend using a helicopter for access
The island has been uninhabited since the last families left in 1985, and in the 1990s, a prospective buyer received a £1 million quote to connect the lighthouse and farmstead to mains electricity
The property includes a private well, gas heating, solar panels ready for installation and two helipads for quick access.
The sale also includes a sailing dinghy and two quad bikes for easy site navigation.
K Allan Properties describes the 1.45-acre, seven-bedroom plot as a ‘renovation opportunity of a lifetime.’
Photos reveal remnants of past family life, with children’s toys, an England flag, a model aeroplane and a Meccano rollercoaster still present in the lighthouse and main farmhouse.
They say: ‘Imagine living on this stunning uninhabited island, a place of serene beauty and complete solitude. Copinsay, one of the enchanting Orkney Islands off the east coast of mainland Scotland, offers an unparalleled lifestyle opportunity.
‘This property on this uninhabited island is now available for those seeking an extraordinary retreat.
‘Requiring renovation, this property presents the perfect opportunity for someone seeking a solitary lifestyle with a blank canvas to create a space they can truly call home.’
The main building is described as a ‘charming’ two-story structure, ideal for those desiring solitude or an extraordinary getaway.
The property includes a private well, gas heating, solar panels ready for installation and two helipads for quick access. The sale also includes a sailing dinghy and two quad bikes for easy site navigation
K Allan Properties describes the 1.45-acre, seven-bedroom plot as a ‘renovation opportunity of a lifetime.’ Photos reveal remnants of past family life, with children’s toys, an England flag, a model aeroplane and a Meccano rollercoaster still present in the lighthouse and main farmhouse
Photos say: ‘Imagine living on this stunning uninhabited island, a place of serene beauty and complete solitude. Copinsay, one of the enchanting Orkney Islands off the east coast of mainland Scotland, offers an unparalleled lifestyle opportunity. Requiring renovation, this property presents the perfect opportunity for someone seeking a solitary lifestyle with a blank canvas to create a space they can truly call home’
Practical outbuildings, including a shed by a pier and a tractor shed, provide ample storage.
The listing highlights modern conveniences ensuring comfortable living in this remote paradise:
‘Living on Copinsay offers a unique lifestyle marked by peace, privacy, and a deep connection with nature. This secluded paradise is ideal for a private retreat, offering an escape from urban life with unparalleled tranquility.
‘Embrace sustainable living with existing solar infrastructure and potential for wind energy. This rare opportunity to own a piece of the Orkney Islands is a blank canvas awaiting your vision.
‘Whether you seek a personal sanctuary, an eco-living project, or a unique investment, Copinsay promises an extraordinary lifestyle.’
There is no mention of a road to the property, but the listing notes a primary school and a ferry terminal at St Margaret’s Hope, both about seven miles away.
Copinsay Lighthouse, the last major lighthouse built in Orkney, was established in November 1915 by D. Alan Stevenson, displaying five white flashes every 30 seconds.
The island became a bird sanctuary and was farmed by Mr. Groat in the 1930s, who had thirteen children.
The farmhouse served as a classroom, joined by the lighthouse keepers’ children and a resident teacher.
Copinsay Lighthouse was a family station until the 1950s when families moved to the Stromness shore station and the last inhabitants left in 1985.
Paul Craig from Staffordshire bought the former keeper’s cottage in 1991 for a holiday home.
In 1993, he sought to connect the cottage to mains electricity but was quoted nearly a million pounds by Scottish Hydro Electric.
The island is now an RSPB nature reserve.
A closing date for the property has been set for Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 12 noon and all offers must be submitted in writing through a Scottish conveyancing solicitor.