A renowned BBC presenter has decided to sell her deserted private island for an impressive £3 million, which is home to a unique animal species rarely found in the UK.
Television and radio host Kirsty Young acquired Inchconnachan island, situated on Scotland’s famous Loch Lomond, for £1.6 million in 2020 along with her husband Nick Jones, the founder of the exclusive private members’ club chain Soho House. However, due to abandoned plans for the serene location, the couple is now looking to offload the property.
Inchconnachan island, also known as Scotland’s “Wallaby Island,” is inhabited by a group of red-necked wallabies, the only wild population in Scotland. Previously owned by the aristocratic Colquhoun family, the island has been uninhabited for the past twenty years, featuring a dilapidated cabin surrounded by woodlands that serve as the wallabies’ habitat, believed to have been introduced to the island in the 1940s as part of the clan’s private collection.
Lady Arran Colquhoun is said to have relocated the wallabies from her estate in Hertfordshire to the Scottish island post-World War II, where they have thrived since. The couple’s vision for the uninhabited 100-acre island included developing a short-term holiday rental property complete with a boathouse and jetty, alongside employing conservation wardens to safeguard the wallabies. An application for these plans was submitted in 2021.
Luxury real estate agency Sotheby’s has now listed Inchconnachan island for sale, offering two purchasing options. The island is available with planning permission for £3 million or as a fully developed investment for £10 million. The latter option encompasses the construction of a lavish retreat on the island, a process estimated to take around two years.
Described as providing remarkable seclusion and panoramic views towards Ben Lomond, the listing promises an idyllic escape for potential buyers. Nick Jones emphasized that the residence is designed for ultimate comfort, catering to family, golfing, fishing weekends, as well as moments of tranquility and contemplation.
The island is conveniently a ten-minute boat ride from the Loch Lomond golf club. Jones, who battled prostate cancer and underwent successful treatment, reflected on his decision to sell the island, expressing a shift in his priorities towards a simpler life post his health struggles.