Off the enchanted west coast of Scotland, nestled in the deep waters of Loch Linnhe, Shuna Island, or “Eilean Seòna”, is a rugged and private expanse of over 1000 stunning acres of idyllic island. The place is just a short, 10-minute boat ride from the mainland, via the private pier at Arduaine. Despite the remote location, Shuna is far from being a wild rocky outcrop. From the shoreline, the setting is breathtaking, with soft undulations of forest and grazing land giving way to craggy headlands, while seals, otters and porpoises patrol the loch’s edge.
For the first time in almost eighty years, Shuna has been publicly offered for sale, presenting a unique opportunity for any discerning buyers who are keen to own their piece of the raw magic of the Scottish Isles. Unconnected to the National Grid and entirely roadless, Shuna offers something few estates can. Total seclusion. The current owners, the Gully family, have lived and farmed here since 1945, building a life that blends traditional crofting with conservation, a working farm, and modern holiday lets for commercial tourism. Naturally powered by a combination of wind, solar and generator, the island is its own self-sustaining haven.
A Legacy Set in Stone
Shuna’s history stretches back millennia. Archaeological traces confirm human presence dating back to as far as the Stone Age, whilst an Iron Age sword hoard discovered in 1875 is now proudly housed at the British Museum. The name ‘Shuna’ likely derives from the Norse for ‘sea island,’ placing it firmly within the cultural orbit of both Gaelic Scotland and Viking raiders that later settled many of the isles for centuries. During the medieval period, it formed part of the semi-independent Lordship of the Isles, before eventually coming into the possession of the Stewarts of Appin and under the dominion of the Scottish Crown.
In the 19th century, Shuna was owned by James Yates, a Glasgow-based antiquarian who made his fortune in manufacturing and shipping, including trade from the island. Through Yates’ philanthropic tendencies, Shuna’s income was gifted to public causes in Glasgow, though the island itself was sold off in 1911 to New Zealand-born George Buckley, a former Antarctic explorer. After buying the island, Buckley famously built the imposing Shuna Castle as part of his vision to transform Shuna into a grand Edwardian estate. However, his architect was tragically lost aboard the Titanic in 1912 while carrying plans for future buildings, dashing Buckley’s plans, although the turrets and ghostly silhouettes of the castle still serve as a reminder of his legacy.
The island came into the possession of its current owners after the end of the Second World War, when Dowager Viscountess Selby made enquiries with estate agents for islands up for sale, so that her family might retreat and begin a new life after the gruelling effects of five years of war. Purchasing the island without ever having visited, the Viscountess made good on her purchase straight away, and for the last 80 years, three generations of Gully’s have grown up with Shuna as their home and acted as its caretakers.
A Working Island Residence
At the core of Shuna’s present-day setting is a surprisingly robust, residential and agricultural infrastructure. The main house is a spacious 12-bedroom former farmhouse, with timber flooring and simple fireplaces. It is supported by seven other homes, ranging from the lochside Boathouse that’s perched just above the water with its own slipway and jetty, to the more traditionally built Pier House and Croft Cottage. Together, they offer accommodation for over 50 people, presenting a suitable scope for both private family events, and hire for formal occasions or idyllic breaks.
All the island’s properties are fully off-grid, powered by a renewable energy system combining solar panels, wind turbines and battery storage, with a diesel backup generator in the event of adverse weather. All homes have running water and drainage, and the interiors are in good working condition, although perhaps lacking in polish and fit for reupholstering. Many of the cottages are already used as seasonal holiday lets, producing a seasonal income with summer and fall tourism. Despite its remoteness, Shuna is both well-lived-in and well-loved, with an appealing set-up without even mentioning its real showpiece.
Standing sentinel above a wooded stretch of the island’s western shore, Shuna Castle is a grand ruin of immense romantic appeal. As mentioned, built with clear Edwardian influences in mind, the structure is notable for its battlements, tall chimneys and weathered stone turrets that cast an imposing figure across much of the island. Although uninhabitable in its current condition, it remains structurally imposing and could, with the necessary permissions, be restored to its former status as the crown jewel of the island.
An Unspoiled but Fertile Land
Much of Shuna’s acreage is used for rough grazing. The Gully family currently keep a flock of about 230 Beulah Speckled Face sheep, and the land remains suitable for a low-impact, mixed farming approach. Fallow and red deer roam freely, along with otters, seals, porpoises, and countless seabirds. The surrounding waters are known to host minke whales and dolphins during migrations.
Shuna is navigable but has never been fully tamed. There are no roads on the island, with access between homes and fields best served either by quad bike, on foot, or by boat. This lack of infrastructure for some may represent a flaw in the listing, but what it rather does is keep the island slightly more wild, and maintain its character. Boat landings at both Arduaine and Craobh Haven allow for safe passage off the island to the mainland and whilst it may not be the most manicured of estates, its next chapter will still need to honour that balance between mankind and nature, which has endured for thousands of years.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Shuna Island is a genuinely rare offering. It is neither derelict nor overdeveloped, not burdened by an all manner of covenants and statutes that prevent it from being more than it currently is, although a five-star resort, this delightful Scottish Isle, may never be. For a buyer seeking a generational project with stone-built structures, rich in nature, that has the kind of lived-in story that’s growing ever scarcer, there is little else like it currently on the market in Britain.
At present, the listing is registered with a price of £5.5 million, which, when one considers this encompasses more than 12,000 square feet of private island, represents incredible value. With 27 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms available at all the island’s properties, it's the kind of residence that’s ideal for those looking for a new and exciting project to develop or, continue the tradition of the Dowager Viscountess, and hold on to Shuna as a place that represents a sanctuary for family.
