A 270-acre Scottish island for sale at the same price as a three-bedroom house in suburbia
From sheltered sailing waters and abundant wildlife, to historical ruins and traditional stone farm buildings ripe for development, Torsa has something for everyone.

Fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life? Then cast your eye over Torsa, an idyllic Scottish island on the market for the first time in 85 years.
Torsa Island — which consists of Torsa, Torsa Beag and Eilean na h-Eaglaise — lies off the west coast of Scotland in the Inner Hebrides. Totalling around 270 acres, it’s on sale with Savills for £1,500,000.
That's the same price you'd pay for a two-bedroom flat in Southwark, for example; or this three-bedroom home in East Grinstead.
Torsa is home to a 19th century farmhouse, which occupies a sheltered spot looking south-east over the mouth of Loch Melfort.
The three-bedroom property, built of traditional stone and slate, has been modernised and managed as a holiday let. It comprises a boot room, shower room, kitchen and dining room, and sitting room. Best of all — for its views, rather than its architectural beauty — is the conservatory, with panoramic views which mean you can soak everything in even when the weather is bad. (And — let's face it — the weather will be bad a fair bit of the time.)
There’s a range of traditional stone farm buildings nearby. They’re fairly dilapidated, yes, but ripe for development if you get all the necessary planning consents.
Torsa is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There’s more than 2.5 miles of coastline and foreshore, with sheltered anchorage and mooring. But if a larger yacht or motorboat is more your thing, the selling agents recommend a tender.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The place is humming with wildlife, with regular visits from sea eagles and other raptors, as well as resident blue hare, roe deer and otter populations.
Torsa rises up to 62m in the centre. Head here and you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping vista that takes in the surrounding Inner Hebrides and the mountains and lochs of Argyllshire.
The island is also steeped in history. Look no further than the ruined Casteal nan Con (the Dogs’ Castle) in the north-east of the island, which is thought to have been occupied by various Clans over the years.
The very definition of privacy, the nearest town is Oban, the unofficial capital of the West Highlands, about 18 miles to the north-east.
Torsa is currently on the market via Savills for £1,500,000 — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
-
Why don't we know how long the UK coastline is?
Welcome to the Coastline Paradox, where trying to find an accurate answer is more of a hindrance than a help.
By Martin Fone Published
-
The Country Life guide to Somerset: What to do, where to stay and how to eat
Somerset is rich in natural beauty and history, but it is its wealth of small-scale food and drink producers, farmers and makers that really set it apart from the competition. Find out how to make the most of it all with our indispensable guide.
By Natalie Millar-Partridge Published
-
Classical style meets fun and flair in a seven-bedroom manor in Cornwall
At Polstrong Manor, the current owners have combined period charm and elegant modern interiors to create a flamboyant country home 10-minutes from the beach.
By James Fisher Published
-
Two halves make a sublime four-bedroom home in Kent's North Downs
A contemporary extension to a traditional clapboard house brings light and life to Lavington House.
By James Fisher Published
-
The week in property statistics: Service charges reach record high
Plus, how first-time buyers prop up the mortgage market, why you need to move north if you want to live by yourself, and house-price growth slows
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A seven-bedroom oast house for sale in East Sussex, where your dreams can run riot
Unlisted, yet full of character, this property in the High Weald National Landscape is an eccentrically furnished family home that screams fun.
By James Fisher Published
-
Character, history and comfort combine in a four-bedroom farmhouse in Norfolk
Willow Farm near Southburgh is that rarest of things — a perfect combination of period charm and modern elegance in some of England's best countryside.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse that's part of the fabric of Bath's history
With 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
By James Fisher Published
-
17 delightful homes for sale, as seen in Country Life
Our round-up of some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life this week includes a wonderful Cotswolds home and a happily affordable cottage in the West Country.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'This is the most money you'll spend on anything ever': The things that really matter when buying your first home in London
It’s easy to dream of what the ideal first-home in London might be, but when the cost of living in the capital is this expensive, being near a Gail's isn't as important as you think it is.
By James Fisher Published