A private island off the west coast of Scotland complete with castle ruins, rolling pastures, and sweeping views of the sea has been put up for sale for the first time in nearly 100 years, with an asking price of £5.5million.

Shuna Island, a 1,100-acre gem nestled in the Inner Hebrides, is now on the market, offering a rare opportunity to own a wild, rugged piece of Scotland’s coastal heritage. The island lies just south of Oban, among the Slate Islands archipelago, which includes Seil, Easdale, Luing, and Torsa.

Three miles long and a mile and a half wide, Shuna is an island steeped in history, wildlife, and potential. At its heart are the picturesque ruins of Shuna Castle, an early 20th-century structure with panoramic views across the Sound of Shuna.

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The castle’s footprint, estate agents Sotheby’s International Realty notes, presents possibilities for redevelopment, subject to permissions.

The island has been in the same family for over 80 years, owned most recently by Viscountess Selby and her son, Edward Gully, whose ancestors purchased it in the early 20th century.

Their main residence has been the traditional Shuna Farmhouse, while a scattering of eight additional properties - including holiday cottages - can house up to 52 people, hinting at potential for a hospitality venture.

But this is no manicured millionaire’s retreat. Shuna is as much a working island as a private idyll. It includes 81 acres of permanent pasture, 640 acres of rough grazing, and over 300 acres of native woodland and foreshore.

A flock of around 220 Beulah sheep currently roams the island, and there’s scope for expanding into cattle grazing.

Beyond the livestock, the island teems with wildlife. Visitors and residents alike can spot red deer, sea eagles, and even porpoises in the surrounding waters.

The island’s raw natural beauty, combined with its biodiversity, makes it an extraordinary haven for nature lovers.

The land also holds over 9,000 years of human history, dating back to the Stone Age, with burial mounds and Iron Age relics still visible across the terrain.

According to legend, Shuna may be referenced in the Vita Columbae, the 7th-century account of Saint Columba, who was said to have been delayed on a place called “Sainean Island” - believed by some to be Shuna.

Through the centuries, Shuna belonged to the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata, and later passed to the powerful Maclean clan after Robert the Bruce granted the region of Lorne to the Campbells in 1321.

By the 1700s, it was a bustling hub for lime production, home to kilns and as many as 100 residents, according to The Scotsman. Now, for the first time in nearly a century, the island is looking for a new chapter.

With its unique mix of natural beauty, historic ruins, viable farmland and holiday homes, Shuna offers a rare opportunity for buyers seeking something beyond a luxury postcode.

“This is not just a private island,” said a spokesperson for Sotheby’s International Realty, the firm handling the sale. “It’s a piece of Scottish history - wild, beautiful, and filled with potential.”

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