Is broadband a luxury? Or is it, these days, an essential human right? It’s an interesting question, as by definition it is a luxury. However, can you imagine living without it? Bank branches are closing down, the Post Office is, well, the Post Office and cash seems to be on its way out. Could you function well enough in society without the internet?
One way to find out might be by purchasing The Old Lifeboat Station in Dumfries and Galloway, which is on the market with Galbraith for £850,000. It has no broadband. That is because it is in an extremely remote location on the Scottish coast.
Shockingly, the Old Lifeboat Station was once an old lifeboat station. Established in 1884, it was in working order until 1933, protecting Auchencairn Bay. The current property was purchased and converted in the late 1990s, winning the Best Conversion in Scotland award from the Daily Telegraph in 2003.
It’s not difficult to understand why you would want to build a house or live here. The property comes with 6 acres of woodland, which hums with wildlife, including red squirrels that come down and use the feeders on the deck, ‘where they provide hours of entertainment to young and old alike’, say the agents.
The property itself offers 3-4 bedrooms and two reception rooms, as well as exceptional views over the bay of Auchencairn.
From the sitting room, floor-to-ceiling windows and doors allow you to appreciate this wilderness whatever the weather. A garage sits above the house on the hill, and offers space for six cars.
The village of Auchencairn is a few miles away to the north-west, and offers a ‘strong sense of community’, as well as its own church, primary school, bowling green, post office, shop and a cafe. The Balcary Bay Hotel is also nearby, providing fine dining and accommodation.
Back to the original question. Do you need broadband? I guess it depends what for. In a place such as this, it might be something of a distraction. What use is Twitter, or X, or Instagram, when you have that scenery and view?
22 homes for sale, from a £350k converted chapel to an £11.4m masterpiece, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week or so includes
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Strutt & Parker
A 16th century hall set in its own private valley in Cornwall that teems with local wildlife
Ogbeare Hall was originally built by Elizabeth I's treasurer for Cornwall and Devon and is in prime position on the
A ancient clifftop lodge that's spectacular within, just down the coast from the castle of King Arthur
Trebrea Lodge near Tintagel is more of a manor house, and is ready to become the ideal Cornish family home.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
