And finally…Scottish murder island on sale for £325,000

You could now become the owner of your very own Scottish island hideaway after Little Ross Island, off the south west coast came up for sale this week.

And at offers over £325,000 you might not need to break the bank to get it.

However, the island can only be accessed by private boat or helicopter, and that’s not the only hitch, because in 1960 Little Ross hit national headlines after lighthouse keeper Hugh Clarke was found dead by two visitors.

His assistant, Robert Dickson, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder.

Dickson was initially sentenced to hang for the murder, but his punishment was later changed to life imprisonment.

The lighthouse, which is not included in the sale, was designed and built by Alan Stevenson and first lit in 1843 but has been fully automated since the murder and is no longer manned.

The Northern Lighthouse Board maintains both the lighthouse and the sighting tower.

The 29-acre island is currently owned by St Mary’s Isle Estate and has come on the open market through estate agents Galbraith.

Included in the sale is the original six-bedroom lighthouse keeper’s cottage – last updated in the mid-1980s, although the property and its services are in need of refurbishment, the agent says.

And the three B-listed ruinous barns, also included in the sale, each offer development potential.

David Corrie, senior associate at Galbraith, Castle Douglas, said: “Back in the 1900’s, the island was home to the head lighthouse keeper, underkeeper and their families, extending to 16 people, with a small dairy and piggery to provide subsistence for this family community. With a bit of TLC, the properties on the island could be turned into something truly stunning, with Little Ross Island once again being the perfect island retreat for future generations to enjoy.

“Private islands rarely come up for sale at an affordable price and particularly one with a habitable house and additional properties. Given the exciting prospect Little Ross Island presents, we expect a lot of interest from all over the UK as well as abroad.”