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
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A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every windowPenny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
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A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
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The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new ownerIn the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
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A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its historyIn the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
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'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston MartinA new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
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The Mediterranean Magic of MaltaWith historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
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Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country LifeIf Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
