An uninhabited 970‑acre island off Benbecula, once said to have sheltered Bonnie Prince Charlie after Culloden, is up for sale with a price tag of nearly £1million.

The island of Wiay, off the east coast of Benbecula, is being offered for sale at an asking price of over £995,000 by property firm Bell Ingram.

The vendor is leaning into the island’s historic Jacobite past, highlighting Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape in 1746 following defeat at Culloden. A cave named Prince Charlie’s Rest is locally believed to be where he sheltered while fleeing back to France.

According to the Bell Ingram property listing, the Isle of Wiay occupies an “enviable position at the heart of the Outer Hebrides, offering a rare combination of privacy, natural beauty and historical significance”.

The island was once home to a small crofting community, and today there are the ruins of a cottage overlooking Bagh na Murla, a sheltered bay on the western shore. 

Planning consent was previously granted for the renovation of the cottage, although this consent has now lapsed. 

The description continues: “Several freshwater lochs are scattered across the island, providing excellent opportunities for fishing and sporting pursuits. Combined with its beautiful sandy beaches, sheltered anchorages and complete tranquillity, the island offers an exceptional private retreat. 

“The remote and unspoilt landscape also supports an abundance of wildlife, including both golden eagles and white-tailed sea eagles, which have been recorded nesting on the island. In the past, the island has supported about 200 sheep with good grazing on the lower slopes.”

Image content - Bell Ingram