An entire Scottish island is on sale for just £325k - but it has a disturbing past

  • <p>Little Ross Island, off the coast of south west Scotland, is up for grabs for £325,000 – about the same price as a two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh city centre. </p>
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    Island life

    Little Ross Island, off the coast of south west Scotland, is up for grabs for £325,000 – about the same price as a two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh city centre.

  • <p>The 29-acre island is home to a 19th-century, fully automated lighthouse tower. </p>
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    Secluded

    The 29-acre island is home to a 19th-century, fully automated lighthouse tower.

  • <p>Little Ross gained national media attention in August 1960 when two visitors discovered the body of interim keeper Hugh Clark. Robert Dickson, another relief keeper, was initially sentenced to hang for the murder, but was later jailed for life. </p>
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    Grim past

    Little Ross gained national media attention in August 1960 when two visitors discovered the body of interim keeper Hugh Clark. Robert Dickson, another relief keeper, was initially sentenced to hang for the murder, but was later jailed for life.

  • <p>While potential owners will only be able to access the island via private boat or helicopter, David Corrie, senior associate at property firm Galbraith said the island home offered “fantastic development potential”. </p>
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    Home comforts

    While potential owners will only be able to access the island via private boat or helicopter, David Corrie, senior associate at property firm Galbraith said the island home offered “fantastic development potential”.

  • <p>The tower, designed by Alan Stevenson, was built in 1843 to close the gap between other lighthouses at the Mull of Galloway and Southerness and remained manned until the infamous murder over a century later. </p>
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    Mind the gap

    The tower, designed by Alan Stevenson, was built in 1843 to close the gap between other lighthouses at the Mull of Galloway and Southerness and remained manned until the infamous murder over a century later.

  • <p>The listing also includes three B-listed, “ruinous” barns and is completely off-grid, with power drawn from solar panels and a small wind turbine. </p>
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    Off-grid

    The listing also includes three B-listed, “ruinous” barns and is completely off-grid, with power drawn from solar panels and a small wind turbine.

  • <p>There is a six bedroom, B-listed cottage and courtyard, though the lighthouse tower is not part of the deal. The lighthouse is owned and managed by the Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses, who make regular maintenance visits to the property throughout the year. </p>
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    Courtyard

    There is a six bedroom, B-listed cottage and courtyard, though the lighthouse tower is not part of the deal. The lighthouse is owned and managed by the Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses, who make regular maintenance visits to the property throughout the year.

  • <p>David Corrie says: “Back in the 1900s, the island was home to the head lighthouse keeper, underkeeper and their families, extending to 16 people, with a small dairy and piggery to provide subsistence for this family community.” </p>
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    Small community

    David Corrie says: “Back in the 1900s, the island was home to the head lighthouse keeper, underkeeper and their families, extending to 16 people, with a small dairy and piggery to provide subsistence for this family community.”

  • <p>“With a bit of TLC, the properties on the island could be turned into something truly stunning, with Little Ross Island once again being the perfect island retreat for future generations to enjoy,” says Corrie. (Pictures: Galbraith/SWNS.com) </p>
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    Potential

    “With a bit of TLC, the properties on the island could be turned into something truly stunning, with Little Ross Island once again being the perfect island retreat for future generations to enjoy,” says Corrie. (Pictures: Galbraith/SWNS.com)

<p>Little Ross Island, off the coast of south west Scotland, is up for grabs for £325,000 – about the same price as a two-bedroom flat in Edinburgh city centre. </p>
<p>The 29-acre island is home to a 19th-century, fully automated lighthouse tower. </p>
<p>Little Ross gained national media attention in August 1960 when two visitors discovered the body of interim keeper Hugh Clark. Robert Dickson, another relief keeper, was initially sentenced to hang for the murder, but was later jailed for life. </p>
<p>While potential owners will only be able to access the island via private boat or helicopter, David Corrie, senior associate at property firm Galbraith said the island home offered “fantastic development potential”. </p>
<p>The tower, designed by Alan Stevenson, was built in 1843 to close the gap between other lighthouses at the Mull of Galloway and Southerness and remained manned until the infamous murder over a century later. </p>
<p>The listing also includes three B-listed, “ruinous” barns and is completely off-grid, with power drawn from solar panels and a small wind turbine. </p>
<p>There is a six bedroom, B-listed cottage and courtyard, though the lighthouse tower is not part of the deal. The lighthouse is owned and managed by the Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses, who make regular maintenance visits to the property throughout the year. </p>
<p>David Corrie says: “Back in the 1900s, the island was home to the head lighthouse keeper, underkeeper and their families, extending to 16 people, with a small dairy and piggery to provide subsistence for this family community.” </p>
<p>“With a bit of TLC, the properties on the island could be turned into something truly stunning, with Little Ross Island once again being the perfect island retreat for future generations to enjoy,” says Corrie. (Pictures: Galbraith/SWNS.com) </p>
Mark Dorman

A Scottish island which became famous for a high-profile murder case more than 50 years ago has been put on the market for just £325,000.

Little Ross Island, off the coast of south west Scotland, stretches to 29 acres and is completely off-grid. The property listing includes a six-bedroom, B-listed cottage, ripe for renovation.

David Corrie, senior associate at agents Galbraith said: “Private islands rarely come up for sale at an affordable price and particularly one with a habitable house and additional properties. We expect a lot of interest.”