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A Scottish island with its own 17th-century mansion is up for sale for just over $2 million.
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The island of Vaila has been owned by the same couple for 30 years, who told Insider it’s “heaven.”
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Since 2000, it has been home to a sperm whale skeleton, nicknamed “Bony Dick” as a nod to “Moby Dick”.
An island about 100 miles from mainland Scotland is for sale for £1.75 million, or about $2 million.
Source: Savills
The Isle of Vaila, a 757-acre landmass that is part of the Shetland archipelago, is home to rugged cliffs, rock outcrops, caves and shingle beaches, according to the Savills property listing.
Source: Savills
Current owner Richard Rowland told Insider via email that he and his partner have had “30 fantastic years” there, but “it’s time for others to follow their dream” on the island.
As well as the island, which is a 10-minute boat ride from mainland Shetland, whoever buys Vaila will also own several properties scattered around it, including an 18th-century watchtower.
Source: Savills
But by far the largest building on the island is Vaila Hall, a 17th-century mansion very much like a castle with turrets and coats of arms carved into the walls.
Source: Savills
Vaila Hall has been carefully renovated by the current owners to suit modern living with features such as new generators, central heating, electricity and water filtration.
Source: Savills
Stone steps lead up to the impressive looking wooden front door, which in turn opens into what is known as the Great Hall.
According to Rowland, they’ve tried to maintain the sense of a “time warp,” and the stone fireplace and original 19th-century furnishings in the Great Hall certainly make it seem frozen in time.
In total, the mansion has six bedrooms, four of which are on the first floor and, according to the listing, have fantastic ocean views.
Adding to the mystique of the entire mansion, the den has a secret entrance, the list adds.
It wouldn’t hurt if the new owner had a green thumb, as there are three walled gardens, some of which have over a hundred year old plane trees.
Vaila is a rich organic farming opportunity for newcomers, who should also know that there is a herd of 200 purebred Shetland ewes on the island.
Source: Savills
In terms of wildlife, the list says that orca pods often play in the surrounding waters, a real plus for anyone looking to spot a bit of marine life from the comfort of home.
Speaking of marine life, the island has been home to a 42-foot sperm whale skeleton since it washed ashore in 2000. According to Rowland, its nickname is “Bony Dick,” as a nod to “Moby Dick.”
Source: Savills
The current owners have spent a lot of time to themselves on the island, but according to Rowland’s wife Dorota, they’ve never had a disturbing moment. “You just have to be in the right frame of mind,” she said.
But if there is ever a precarious moment, emergency services can land coast guard helicopters on Vaila, a Savills representative told Insider.
To the current owners, whose happy memories of the island include a family wedding, dances, live music and sporting events, Vaila is ‘heaven’.
Read the original article Insider