A couple is selling their breathtaking Scottish island for £1.25 million, where residents must take a boat to go shopping or visit the pub. Richard Stein and Sally Lovell have placed Harbour Island, off the coast of Argyll, on the market after nine years of contented living.
From London to Island Life
The 9.7-acre island, purchased for £650,000, represented a significant shift from their previous home in Clerkenwell, central London. However, they were captivated at first sight. Their residence is a mere 300 meters from the village of Crinan, ensuring they never feel isolated, according to Richard. Yet, they must board a boat whenever they need milk or fancy a pint.
Richard, 71, remarked: 'It is not remote in any sense. There is the extra pleasure of a boat across which only takes three or four minutes. It is the feeling of being somehow in the world with mains electricity, water, broadband, telly, yet where we live is so separate from all that. We have not got neighbours unless we go visit them, but they are there in four or five minutes.'
A Retirement Project
The grandfather of two decided to purchase Harbour Island as a project to occupy his time after retiring as a solicitor in March 2017. The property was heavily overgrown, and the three-bedroom bungalow was stuck in the 1950s. The couple moved in April 2017 and immediately began renovations, including rewiring, plumbing, and installing central heating.
In autumn 2018, they added a major extension, and in 2022, Richard built an annex himself using local timber, resulting in four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and three reception rooms. Richard added: 'Our family thought we were mad. It was a challenge and I needed that after stopping what was a demanding and rewarding job. It was pretty run down. I think I was looking for a project to replace a full-time job. Looking around at what we have achieved here it has felt like a really amazing way to spend our post-retirement phase.'
Wildlife and Daily Life
Richard notes that the island is teeming with wildlife, including frequent bird sightings and a seal that moved in for a few weeks. The biggest adjustment has been the need to plan ahead, as he used to stop at shops on his way home from work. Now, he must think about it in advance. However, he boasts that the island remains accessible, with the nearest supermarket only 20 minutes away.
The most common mishap is leaving car keys at home and having to retrieve them using their 16-foot Orkney boat. There is also a shop in the boatyard that sells supplies and milk, which Sally likens to a corner shop. The 63-year-old former marketing professional ensures their freezer is always stocked in case of storms, though only two have prevented travel since they moved in, as the island is quite sheltered.
Pipes and cables on the seabed provide mains electricity and water, but gas is not available. Instead, they burn wood from the island for their stove, which Richard describes as self-sufficient. He said: 'Living on the island has been amazing. The views are extraordinary. It is just the most incredible place to be. Being surrounded by the water makes you feel like you are immersed in nature. Looking out you can see one or two signs of human habitation but the rest is completely wild. Still, after nine years when I look out of the window in the morning I can't really believe that I live here.'
A Tough Decision to Leave
Sally’s daily routine involves maintaining the many plants and taking a 40-minute walk around the island. She said: 'We just fell in love with it. There is a magic in an island and you feel the magic when you step on the land. It felt like I had stepped into a secret garden. There is a sense of adventure. It is unique to be able to walk on one's own land and always have something to look at. It really does feel like paradise sometimes. It is not isolated at all. We can be cut off if we want to be, but we like to be involved in the community.'
Despite their love for the island, Richard and Sally have made the difficult choice to sell Harbour Island to be closer to family in the south of England. The property is listed for £1,250,000 with Savills. Sally said: 'It is a really hard decision to leave. It is going to be a wrench. But it has been nearly ten years. We are a bit too far away from family. You have got to be fit enough to get in and out of a boat, which we are now, but letting go at the right time is important.' Richard added: 'We are very sad to be moving but it feels appropriate for family reasons. I don't think that it is the wrong decision, but we are certainly going to miss many elements of it.'
Savills agent Iona Conn commented: 'Even though this is an island, it is only a 300m boat trip from the mainland – and it has mains water and mains electricity, which is not often the case when it comes to island living! For those who crave peace and tranquillity amid spectacular scenery, living on your own Scottish private island may seem like heaven on earth. With the opportunity to start a fresh lifestyle, from sailing to working remotely, the perks of island living are plentiful. Not only is island life picture perfect, it's also a peaceful haven from a hectic routine, with the sound of birds singing and waves crashing, replacing loud crowds and traffic congestion.'
