Eilean Loch Oscair

We are pleased to bring to market, in conjunction with Knight Frank, Eilean Loch Oscair. It's a rare opportunity to acquire an island croft, located off the northwest coast of the Island of Lismore - an area of great historical note and with views to the north towards Ben Nevis and to the south, Mull and the Morvern peninsula.

Summary

Sheltered anchorage - 1km of shore frontage

A rare opportunity to create a haven of tranquillity

Perfect for camping and rewilding

Accessible by boat and helicopter

About 9.98 Acres

Distances: Port Appin 5 miles, Glencoe 14 miles, Oban 20 miles, Fort William 24 miles, Glasgow Airport 97 miles (All distances are approximate)

Situation

Eilean Loch Oscair lies off the north west coast of the Island of Lismore within the Firth of Lorne. The Island lies in one of the least explored areas of the west coast. Access can be taken from the public slipway at Port Appin or from a private jetty at Port Ramsay on the Island of Lismore for which the owner will have an informal arrangement in place.

As a croft the Island has the ability to support not only livestock, but also produce food. Services and provisions require to be brought from either Lismore or the mainland.

Lismore is one of the most historic Islands in Scotland, being one of the first major Celtic Christian areas, established in Scotland with close association with Saint Moluag a compatriot of Saint Columba and whose staff is still held on the island by the Baron of Bachuil. In the 19th century, the Island population exceeded 1,000, however the population is now around 200, but thriving. The Island supports a village store with post office, as well as a passenger ferry and a vehicular ferry, a heritage centre and village hall that hosts many community activities.

From Lismore with your own boat, you can either land at Port Appin or Oban. Port Appin has renowned hotels and restaurants and a well-stocked community village store as well as a craft shop, motor garage and an active community. There are a number of moorings which are operated by a local Moorings Association and there may be the opportunity to secure a mooring.

Oban is the principal town of North Argyll and the ferry journey from Lismore takes approximately 45 minutes on either foot or by vehicle. The town has a wide range of supermarkets, as well as a number of other national retailers and many local retailers. The town is the principal Caledonian MacBrayne ferry port serving the Inner Hebrides and some of the Outer Hebridean Islands, as well as it being a terminus for the railway service from Glasgow. In addition, there is an airport 6 miles to the north of Oban which operates regular passenger flights to some of the Inner Hebrides and is also available for private aircraft and helicopters.

Crofting

Eilean Loch Oscair is a registered croft which is a tenure peculiar to Scotland and forms an integral part of life in the Highlands and Islands.

The crofter must not neglect their croft and have a duty to maintain and manage it for a useful purpose. The Island offers the opportunity to participate in the unique heritage of Gaeldom and possibly rewild the Island or farm in a manner in sympathy with nature. The Island offers the opportunity to rear stock, as there is a water supply from a spring.

Planning

Eilean Loch Oscair lies within the Lynn of Lorn National Scenic Area, and is identified as being within a Remote Countryside Area in the Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan (A&BLDP) (February 2024).

In Remote Countryside Areas, the A&BLDP only allows for limited development, which in the case of Eilean Loch Oscair will likely be restricted to agriculture, aquaculture, or another recognised countryside activity. The option of using the island for tourism, which would normally be considered as another recognised countryside activity has already been explored, and the local planning authority decided not to support the proposal (Planning application ref: 22/02100/PP).

An innovative design solution was put forward for siting a low impact off-grid, and sustainable, building on the highest part of the island. However, after careful examination, and consideration by councillors at a local review, it was concluded that this building would not be in-keeping with the landscape character of the area.

The above decision does not preclude further proposals coming forward in future proposing buildings, or other structures, on the island, but does set the bar high as to how these should be sited on the island, and how they should appear. This would equally apply to anything proposed on the island, and taking advantage of agricultural permitted development rights, which require prior notification to the local planning authority before erection, or installation.

Viewing strictly by appointment with The Estates Office.

Video: click here to view a video of Eilean Loch Oscair