Arduaine, Oban, Argyll, PA34

Shuna Island offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire 1,110 acres of spectacular Scottish coastline steeped in history and natural beauty. From ancient Stone Age burial mounds and Iron Age ritual swords to a castle built by a heroic Antarctic explorer, the island weaves a story as compelling as its landscape. Shuna's rare island ecology and topography - ranging from secluded beaches to grazing pastures, and from ancient woodlands to peat bogs - means it is also bursting with a rich biodiversity.

Shuna's residential properties include:
• The Boat House: Sleeps six, open-plan, overlooking Loch Shuna
• The Pier House: Traditional stone build, sleeps six
• Birchwood: Secluded north shore retreat with expansive decks
• Shuna Farmhouse: Ideal for management or family
• The Forge: Elevated timber cottage, sleeps six
• Garden House: Family-friendly, sleeps eight, nestled by woodland
• Oakwood Cottage: Timber frame with beach access, sleeps ten
• South End House: The island's largest, 12 beds, stone-built beside burial sites

Shuna's history spans 9,000 years, marked by twin-chamber Stone Age burial mounds and Iron Age sites. In 1875, three rare Iron Age swords, part of a votive hoard from the 8th century BC, were discovered, signaling a culture rich in ritual and sacrifice.

The island's earliest mention is in the Vita Columbae, recounting Saint Columba and his crew being delayed on “Sainean Island”, believed to be Shuna, before a miraculous wind change sees them under sail.

Over centuries, Shuna belonged to Dal Riata's Gaelic kingdom and later passed to the Maclean clan after Robert the Bruce gifted Lorne to Clan Campbell in 1321. By the 18th century, it was a thriving lime production centre with kilns and up to 100 residents.

In 1910, Shuna was purchased by New Zealand farmer, soldier and adventurer George (Alexander Maclean) Buckley, who saw the island as his ancestral Maclean home. Buckley, who had a mountain and an island in Antarctica named after him by Ernest Shackleton following the Nimrod expedition, built the stunning castle that dominates the northern skyline. The island then passed to film and shipping magnates before becoming the beloved family home of Viscountess Selby and her son, The Hon. Edward Gully, who farmed and managed the island for over 80 years.

Protected from Atlantic storms by Scarba, Jura, and Luing, Shuna rises to 90 meters with rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, sheltered bays, and native woodland. Its varied terrain offers 360-degree views and natural shelter for livestock and wildlife, making it ideal for farming, sporting, or retreat. Access is easy yet private, with a main slipway and pontoon/helipad at the northwest tip and a second slipway by South End House. A 10-minute boat ride from Craobh Haven Marina offers convenient access with complete seclusion.

The 1,110 acres include 81 acres of permanent pasture, 640 acres of rough grazing, and over 300 acres of native woodland and foreshore. A flock of around 220 Beulah sheep thrives here, with lambing in April and the potential for cattle grazing. The farm benefits from government agricultural support.

Shuna is also a sporting paradise. Red and fallow deer roam freely, alongside woodcock, snipe, and a long tradition of pheasant shooting. For over 50 years, the owners have hosted renowned woodcock shoots and deer stalking during the autumn rut. The dramatic landscape and dense cover offer exceptional sport. Wildlife flourishes, from otters and seals on the shoreline to porpoises, dolphins, and majestic birds of prey - including golden and sea eagles - overhead.

Shuna Island lies off the west coast of Scotland, forming part of the Slate Islands within the Inner Hebrides. Positioned between the mainland and the Isle of Luing, it is located approximately 20 miles south of Oban. Despite its private nature, the island is easily accessible, with Craobh Haven Marina and Arduaine Pier being the nearest departure points on the mainland. Just 5 miles south of Arduaine is the village of Ardfern, nestled along the sheltered shores of Loch Craignish. The village offers a range of local amenities including a well-stocked village store, café and bakery, a vibrant village hall and arts centre, a popular marina with a well-known boatyard, a sailing club, church, hotel, and a primary school. Craobh Haven is a purpose-built marina offering 250 berths, a swimming pool, and a selection of accommodation options. Oban, often called the “Gateway to the Isles” and the seafood capital of Scotland, offers a wide range of services, including supermarkets, restaurants, primary and secondary schools, sports and leisure facilities, a hospital, and a train station. Oban's ferry terminals provide regular services to both the Inner and Outer Hebrides, including the islands of Mull (and on to Iona), Barra, Coll, and Tiree. For further travel, Glasgow International Airport, which provides regular flights to a host of national and international destinations, is only 55 miles by helicopter, while Islay Airport is only 45 miles away. The surrounding region is an outstanding base for exploring Scotland's west coast, with a wide array of outdoor pursuits available nearby including fishing, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, golf, and diving. Arduaine Garden, meanwhile, is internationally acclaimed for its dazzling displays of rhododendrons. A remarkable natural phenomenon in the vicinity is the Corryvreckan Whirlpool - one of the largest whirlpools in the world. Situated in the tidal race between the islands of Scarba and Jura, just a few miles from Shuna, the whirlpool periodically surges into dramatic vertical waves reaching up to 20 feet high during certain phases of the lunar cycle.