A
private island off Scotland's rugged west coast, complete with a ruined castle and working farm, is being sold for the first time in nearly 80 years. Shuna, a 1,100-acre island in the Inner Hebrides, is listed at around $7.44 million.

    The Gully family has owned the island since 1945, when Viscountess Selby impulsively purchased it after World War II. She was looking for a new start and had famously asked an estate agency if they had any islands available. The family has stewarded the island ever since, with Jim Gully recalling idyllic childhood memories of growing up on the island.

    Shuna boasts dramatic shorelines, secluded coves, white sand beaches, and rich biodiversity. It's reachable only by boat or helicopter, with no cars, roads, or full cell service – an increasingly rare retreat from modernity. The island includes eight homes, seven of which are run as vacation cottages that can accommodate up to 52 guests.

    The most striking structure on the island is its castle, built in 1911 by George Buckley, a New Zealand-born adventurer who spared no expense. However, the flat-roofed design proved no match for Scottish weather and it fell into disrepair. The current owner, Jim Gully, calls it an "incredible playground" rich with wildlife, secluded beaches, and history.

    The island's recorded history stretches back far beyond the 20th century, with archaeological finds suggesting human settlement as early as 9,000 years ago. In the 18th and 19th centuries, its population peaked at around 80, evidenced by lime kilns, burial mounds, and ruins of old farms.

    The family is ready to pass Shuna on to a new generation, with Jim Gully saying they've done what they can with the island and are excited about the prospect of someone investing in transforming it into a five-star eco-retreat. The listing suggests Shuna would be "perfectly suited" for a wellness destination, but its next chapter remains unwritten.