JUST how far do you want to be from the bustle of city life? For those who truly want to get away from it all and have a small kingdom of their own, an island off the south-east coast of Skye with a four-bedroom bungalow is for sale.
At high tide Ornsay is cut off from Skye, although at low tide it is possible to walk from one island to the other.
Covering almost 88 acres, Ornsay has 2.5 miles of coastline, with its highest point 147ft above sea level. From here there are views over Skye and the mainland. It also has grass and heather moorlands, woodland, cliffs and shingle beaches.
As well as the natural features, Ornsay also has the scant remains of a burial ground and a church, which suggest there was once a small community living there, possibly drawn by the security an island had to offer. Until relatively recently, the land was still used to graze sheep and cattle.
Andrew Smith of the estate agent Strutt & Parker says that Ornsay may be bought for commercial purposes, such as running a bed and breakfast, but he reckons there is an equal chance that it will be purchased by someone who will simply want to make it their home.
He says: ''It is not a great deal more isolated than the rest of Skye. Unlike some other islands, on Ornsay you are not that far away.''
Broadford on Skye, the nearest town, is 10 miles. Although it is not possible to drive across to the island even at low tide, except perhaps with a quad bike, there is a lease to park two cars at the Fearann Eilean Iarmain Pier on Skye, near Ornsay, which is currently #500 a year.
On the south-west side of the island, the woodland is mostly pine with about 1000 hardwoods planted over the past decade.
Nearby the bungalow is built of a timber frame with brick walls and a tile roof. However, the agents admit that the house is in some need of refurbishment.
Inside there is a sitting room with a multi-fuel stove. This has a back boiler and sits in an open fireplace with a stone surround.
The kitchen has fitted units and a separate utility room. Three of the four bedrooms have double wardrobes and the bathroom has a heated towel rail.
There is mains electricity and a telephone while fresh water is supplied by a private spring on the island.
Previous owners have enjoyed sailing, lobster potting and deep sea fishing around Ornsay. Even those with no interest in sailing would probably want a boat to move goods off and on the island.
To the back of the house is an outbuilding, measuring 60ft by 20ft, which was used previously as a kennel plus two separate storage sheds.
For those who want an aerial view of the island, PDG Helicopters run a service from Inverness airport.
Offers in excess of #250,000 are invited. Viewings arranged through Strutt & Parker, telephone 0131 226 2500.
For others who are looking for a home for sale around the #200,000 to #300,000 mark but do not wish to live in splendid isolation, Beazer has a number of executive houses for sale across Central Scotland.
At its Kings development in the Westerwood area of Cumbernauld, the company is selling its five-bedroom Sovereign showhome priced at #310,000. The villa includes a double garage and on the ground floor there are four public rooms.
Both the dining room and the lounge to the rear have french doors leading to the garden which looks on to wooded surroundings.
In the kitchen there is a breakfast area with a bay window as well as a separate utility room and cloakroom. Both the lounge and the family room have living flame fires and there is a study on the ground floor.
Also for sale at the Kings is the five-bedroom detached Monarch, priced at #235,000. One special feature here is that every house has a video security system linked to the television. A sales office is open at the Kings, from Tuesday to Friday, telephone 01236 721 415.
Meanwhile, south of Edinburgh, the builder has four and five-bedroom homes for sale at its Parklands development in Bonnyrigg.
Downstairs, the five-bedroom detached Kensington, priced at #198,995, has three public rooms while upstairs, two of the bedrooms have an en suite bathrooms.
For further details on Parklands, telephone 0131 660 6383.
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