Island life: three of the best homes for sale on Gigha

Gigha, the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides has a wonderful charm all its own, so if you're looking to move there, here are the top three properties for sale now.

The island of Gigha, just off the Kintyre peninsula is a magical place. With glittering white sands on tiny beaches and greeny blue clear seas, on a good day, it is many people’s idea of heaven.

It is relatively flat and there is little more than one single track road running its seven mile length.

Although it has the feel of island isolation, it is one of the most accessible of the Hebrides, being only a 20- minute ferry ride from the mainland.

Famously, the island is community owned, after a buy-out in 2002. The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust receives many enquiries from people interested in moving to Gigha and its development plan is to increase the population – which is currently over 160, from a low of under 100 before the buy-out.

To rent one of the trust-administered homes you may have to be prepared to bring something to the island however.

The islanders are hoping to encourage businesses owners and tradespeople, professionals with useful skills and writers, musicians, poets, sculptors and artists.

If you aren’t any of those, you could consider buying property on the island. There isn’t always a great deal on offer, but three properties on the market should provide something for everyone.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

Leim Farm would make a wonderful home, holiday house or boutique bed and breakfast for those seeking an income.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

It was renovated and extended in 2008 but there is further development potential with current, detailed planning permission in place for two properties in the courtyard.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The house is spectacular with features such as double-height ceilings and windows, coastal views on two sides and a gym, cinema and exercise pool.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The internal courtyard provides shelter and has decking, a small pond, flowerbeds and lawns.

The planning permission is for semi-detached, self-catering properties, one with two bedrooms, the other with three.

As an romantic extra, the wreck of the ship, Challenge, lies in the bay below the house. Carrying a cargo of timber from Canada in November 1880, it foundered and broke up on the rocks of Leim Point.

Picture: Savills

Achamore House is elegant B-listed baronial mansion surrounded by the world renowned Achamore Gardens, set in an elevated site in the centre of Gigha.

The views are over the heritage trust-run gardens and towards the Sound of Gigha while the grounds with Achamore House are 2 acres.

Picture: Savills

The house retains many original features such as parquet floors, beautiful fireplaces, ornate cornices and ceiling work.