A couple are selling their stunning Scottish island for £1.25million.
Richard Stein and Sally Lovell have put Harbour Island, off the coast of Argyll, on the market after nine years of happy living.
The 9.7-acre island, which cost the pair £650,000, was a big change from their previous house in Clerkenwell, central London – but they fell in love at first sight.
Their home is 300 metres from the slightly busier village of Crinan, so Richard says they never feel lonely – but they have to catch a boat whenever they need some milk or fancy a pint.
The 71-year-old added: ‘It is not remote in any sense. There is the extra pleasure of a boat across which only takes three or four minutes.
‘It is the feeling of being somehow in the world with mains electricity, water, broadband, telly, yet where we live is so separate from all that.
‘We have not got neighbours unless we go visit them, but they are there in four or five minutes.’
The grandfather decided to buy Harbour Island as a project to occupy his time after retiring as a solicitor in March 2017.
Richard Stein and Sally Lovell have put their home, Harbour Island, for sale for £1.25million
The couple moved in April 2017 and quickly got to work plumbing and installing central heating
The place was extremely overgrown when they bought it, with the three-bed bungalow still stuck in the 1950s.
They finally moved in April 2017 and immediately started their renovation work – including installing plumbing and central heating.
In autumn of 2018 they added a major extension. And in 2022, Richard built an annexe himself from local timber, featuring four bedrooms, three bathrooms and three reception rooms.
He said: ‘Our family thought we were mad. It was a challenge and I needed that after stopping what was a demanding and rewarding job.
‘It was pretty run down. I think I was looking for a project to replace a full-time job.
‘Looking around at what we have achieved here, it has felt like a really amazing way to spend our post-retirement phase.’
Richard says the island is filled with wildlife, with him often seeing a range of birds. They even had a seal move in for a few weeks once.
He says the biggest difference is needing to plan, as he used to be able to stop at the shops on his way home from work but now has to think about it in advance.
The former solicitor built the annexe himself from local timber, featuring several new rooms
Richard said that the island is filled with wildlife, with him often seeing birds and even a seal
The Scottish island is accessible – and it only takes 20 minutes to get to the closest grocery
But he boasts that the island is still very accessible, with it only taking 20 minutes to get to his closest supermarket.
The biggest mishap that can happen is if they leave their car keys at home and have to use their 16ft Orkney boat to collect them.
There is also a shop in the boatyard which sells supplies.
Sally, 63, says they always make sure their freezer is stocked in case of a storm, but there have only been two since they moved in which stopped travel.
There are pipes and cables on the seabed which come across to the island, so the only thing they are missing is gas.
Instead, they burn wood from the island for their stove.
Richard added: ‘Living on the island has been amazing. The views are extraordinary. It is just the most incredible place to be.
‘Being surrounded by the water makes you feel like you are immersed in nature. Looking out you can see one or two signs of human habitation but the rest is completely wild.
They never feel lonely – but have to catch a boat whenever they want to go to the shop or pub
At first, the three-bed bungalow was stuck in the 1950s so needed renovating (pictured now)
The couple, who fell in love with the home at first sight, saw the work as a retirement project
‘Still, after nine years when I look out of the window in the morning I can’t really believe that I live here.’
Sally, who used to work in marketing, says her daily routine on the island mostly involves maintenance of the many plants.
She also takes a daily walk around the outside of the land, which takes 40 minutes.
She said: ‘We just fell in love with it. There is a magic in an island and you feel the magic when you step on the land. It felt like I had stepped into a secret garden. There is a sense of adventure.
‘It is unique to be able to walk on ones own land and always have something to look at. It really does feel like paradise sometimes.
‘It is not isolated at all. We can be cut off if we want to be, but we like to be involved in the community.’
Despite loving their home, Richard and Sally have made the tough call to sell Harbour Island so that they can be closer to family in the south of England.
The pair have listed the property for £1,250,000 with Savills, and say that it will be tough to see it go.
Sally said: ‘It is a really hard decision to leave. It is going to be a wrench. But it has been nearly ten years. We are a bit too far away from family.
‘You have got to be fit enough to get in and out of a boat, which we are now, but letting go at the right time is important. ‘
Richard said: ‘We are very sad to be moving but it feels appropriate for family reasons.
‘I don’t think that it is the wrong decision, but we are certainly going to miss many elements of it.’
Savills agent Iona Conn said: ‘Even though this is an island, it is only a 300 metre boat trip from the mainland – and it has mains water and mains electricity, which is not often the case when it comes to island living!
‘For those who crave peace and tranquillity amid spectacular scenery, living on your own Scottish private island may seem like heaven on earth. With the opportunity to start a fresh lifestyle, from sailing to working remotely, the perks of island living are plentiful.
‘Not only is island life picture perfect, it’s also a peaceful haven from a hectic routine, with the sound of birds singing and waves crashing, replacing loud crowds and traffic congestion.’
