Remote private island for sale in Scotland: Tanera Mòr is the perfect off-the-grid and self-sufficient hideaway

Sitting 1.5 miles off the western Scottish mainland near Ullapool, this 760-acre island's self-sufficiency is green, with electricity from generators, wind turbines and a battery array to provide a 24-hour supply.
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Becky Davies24 April 2017

A self-sufficient island hideaway, completely off the grid but with all mod cons, is a rare sight indeed, and this one even allows the owner to issue their own postage stamps.

Tanera Mor, 1.5 miles from the western Scottish mainland near Ullapool, features seven miles of rugged cliffs, sheltered coves and beaches.

Measuring 1.6 miles long and 1.2 miles wide, the £1.95 million island offers stunning views of the other neighbouring Summer Isles and the mountains of the mainland.

The 760-acre island is host to the main house - the Old School House - nine traditional cottages currently run as a tourist letting business, along with a cafe and, of course, the post office.

Should you not have the means to buy the whole island, it is being offered in three lots. The first, at £700,000, includes the entire north end, and includes three houses, the cafe and the post office.

The second, at £430,000, covers the central area, including two houses and the island's largest beach; and the third, for £820,000, includes four houses and the small islands of Eilean Mor, Eilean Beag and an unnamed tidal island.

The area is also renowned for its sailing and Tanera Mor bay offers safe anchorage.

The island's private postal service was inaugurated on September 1, 1970, and in return for administering the postal service to and from the mainland, the owners were allowed to issue private Summer Isles postage stamps, which are sought after by collectors, with past issues reflecting the flora and fauna of the island.

Self-sufficiency comes thanks to generators and wind turbines, which combine with a battery array to produce 24-hour electricity and there is a freshwater treatment works.

There is even a BT telephone exchange, which receives signals via a radio link to the mainland, and broadband is already available in a couple of the houses.

The current owners have spent the last 15 years planting more than 164,000 native trees, providing protection to the land and sheltering once windswept paths.

If you want to visit the capital from your island hideaway, Achnasheen station is 33 miles away, with trains to Inverness in around 80 minutes, and flights from there to Gatwick take one hour and 40 minutes.

Tanera Mor is for sale through Savills for £1.95 million