An entire Scottish island with its own pier and a traditional bothy is on the market for £350,000—a price lower than many flats in Edinburgh. The uninhabited island of Hildasay, off the west coast of Shetland, spans around 267 acres and is accessible only by boat from surrounding islands.
A Unique Property with Coastal and Industrial Heritage
The island features an extensive coastline, two freshwater lochs, and gently rising ground reaching about 105 feet at its peak. A traditional bothy offers basic shelter with views across the landscape. Hildasay is also home to various bird species and coastal wildlife.
Estate agents Kelvin Anderson have described the sale as an "extraordinary opportunity" to acquire "a beautiful and historic private island." A spokesperson noted that the island's scale and unspoilt character create "a genuine sense of escape," with open landscapes and uninterrupted views.
From Quarrying Community to Private Escape
In 1891, around 30 people lived on Hildasay, with granite quarrying and herring curing as key industries. Its distinctive red-green granite was quarried extensively, transported along a purpose-built railway to the harbour, and shipped as far as Australia. Remnants of this industrial past—abandoned granite blocks and traces of the railway—remain visible today.
The island gained attention during the Covid-19 pandemic when charity coastline adventurer Chris Lewis, then 39, was given special permission to live in its one house with his dog Jet after lockdown restrictions began. Lewis later published a book titled Finding Hildasay about his travels around the UK coastline.
