Scottish island with a single house and no neighbours comes on the market for £1.5m

A West Coast island promising peace and solitude has hit the open market for the first time in 85 years with a price tag of £1.5m.

New owners are sought for an island in the Inner Hebrides which comes with a single house and a promise of solitude, privacy and beautiful views.

Torsa, which sits among the Slate Isles, to the south of Oban, has come on to the market for offers over £1.5m.

While the Slate Isles are linked due to their underlying geology, visitors to Torsa will find isolation with the island having just one property, which is currently let out as holiday accommodation.

The island of Torsa in the Inner Hebrides has come on the open market for the first time in 85 years.

Luke French, of estate agent Savills, said: “This idyllic Scottish island surrounded by stunning West Coast scenery and sheltered sailing waters could be a dream haven for a buyer seeking peace and solitude, but there is also the option of taking on an established holiday let business if desired.”

This is the first time the island has come on to the open market for 85 years.

For generations, Torsa was farmed by the Bell family, whose last son died in 1945. The mid-19th Century farmhouse now attracts holidaymakers seeking a sense of seclusion and, perhaps, adventure.

Access to Torsa is made via a sheltered anchorage for motorboats and yachts at Ardinamir Bay, to the south of the island. With no jetty, pontoon, pier or dock on Torsa, visitors are advised to bring their wellies.

Torsa is also just a short trip by sea from Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil which is connected to the mainland by the Clachan Bridge.

Torsa’s three-bedroom farmhouse has a conservatory overlooking the water, with the island sitting between the Cuan Sound an the Seil Sound.

The Isle of Seil sits to the north and the Isle of Luing to the west and south. Fine views can be enjoyed in all directions, particularly Mull and Ben More to the north, Scarba and Jura to the southwest and Loch Melfort and Argyllshire to the east.

The house is also a good vantage point for wildlife spotting – from sea eagles to blue hare, roe deer and otters. Snipe, woodcock, duck and geese also make their homes here at different times of the year.

A range of traditional stone farm buildings sites next to the main house and have the potential for re-development into further residential accommodation, subject to planning consent.

Torsa's name is of Norse origin, roughly translated as "Thor's Island" and was held during the Middle Ages by Clan Campbell. The most prominent historical feature of the island is the ruined Casteal nan Con (the Dogs' Castle) in the northeast of the island.

The tower house was used to protect inland waters and for a brief period the Castle was occupied by the MacDougalls of Rarey before being acquired by Clan MacLean.In 1699, the population of the neighbouring islands of Luing, Seil and Shuna were subject to significant clearances by Clan Campbell and it is assumed Torsa followed the same fate.

According to Savills, the Slate Islands then became part of the Netherlorn Estates of the Breadalbane family, a branch of Clan Campbell, with the affairs being overseen from Ardmaddy Castle, the seat of Nether Lorn.