Affordable Scottish island up for grabs: Historic charm and natural beauty

An intriguing offer has emerged for those weary of city life and exorbitant real estate prices. For an amount comparable to an apartment in a large city, you could purchase an entire island off the coast of Scotland.

Fladda-Chuain (which translates from Old Norse as "flat island on the ocean") is the largest of the Fladda chain of islands. It is just under 3 miles from the Trotternish peninsula on the Scottish Isle of Skye. It is currently for sale for 244,000 dollars.

Fladda-Chuain is an island in the Atlantic Ocean with an area of 69.99 acres, 787 feet wide, and about 0.8 miles long. Its diverse topography includes small valleys, peaks, and cliffs. The highest point is 95 feet above sea level. The coastline includes cliffs and coves, offering several docking spots for small boats or kayaks. In the island's northern part, there is a sea lagoon protected by an outer reef.

Fladda-Chuain boasts fascinating folklore. Legends describe it as a sacred place where summer lasts forever, and the sun never sets. Vikings visited the island, as evidenced by an 11th-century gold ring found in 1851, which is now displayed in the National Museum of Scotland. It is also a nesting site for several species of seabirds, and a colony of seals inhabits the southern part.

Saint Columba built a chapel on Fladda-Chuain in the 6th century when he introduced Christianity to the islands. The chapel's ruins are still visible on the island's western side. It is said that the chapel housed an object on the altar known as the "Weeping Stone." According to legend, the stone was perpetually wet, and fishermen would pour three handfuls of seawater on it to ensure favorable winds and catches.

For the record, it's important to note that 190 thousand pounds is the starting price. The island is listed with Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group and will be sold to the highest bidder. There are a few other catches. On Fladda-Chuain, you can only build a small cottage, which will need approval from local authorities. Currently, no utilities reach the island except for mobile phone coverage.