Move to... an island

If you’re seeking natural beauty and away-from-it-all seclusion, an island home should be top of your wishlist. By Joanna Simmons and Rosie Ainslie

  Photo: Britain on ViewThe United Kingdom is surrounded by islands, but it's hard to put a figure on the precise number, as twice a day the rising tide both creates them and simultaneously covers others. Off the coast of Northumberland, there are 15 Farne Islands at high tide, 28 when the water recedes, while at low tide, the Scilly archipelago has about 140 isles and islets, the greatest concentration off England.

 

Our shores and estuaries are peppered with hundreds of uninhabited examples, but if you hanker after a permanent island home, your choice will be more limited.

 

Scotland offers rich pickings. It has over 790 offshore islands, 92 of which are populated, from lively Bute, in the Firth of Clyde, an easy day trip from Glasgow, to the remote Shetland Islands and Outer Hebrides. Accessing Britain's islands can be as simple as driving across a bridge, while others demand a ferry ride from a remote mainland port or a plane trip. Their separateness from the mainland has always been very much part of their appeal.

 

Some islands, such as the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, are self governing; a handful are privately owned and others, like Gigha, three miles off the Kintyre peninsula, are owned by the community. Most are connected to the mainland politically and may be economically dependent on it, too, to some degree.

 

Yet despite these links, islands preserve a strong individuality and character, making them fascinating places to live, proudly distinct from the rest of Britain.

 

● Remote and secluded

By definition, an island's watery boundary provides seclusion. Even those linked to the mainland via a bridge retain a strong sense of identity. Remember, though, that remote islands only accessible by boat or plane can become cut off by bad weather. For some, seclusion could feel like isolation during Scotland's long, dark winters.

● Superb scenery

From pristine sandy beaches to dramatic coastlines, dunes and saltmarshes to glens and waterfalls, islands offer a big hit of natural beauty. But this draws the tourists, too, so be prepared to share your island come summer.

● Abundant wildlife

Many islands are home to large communities of native wildlife, from Jura's red deer to the puffins of Anglesey. And islands are often the first port of call for visiting migrant birds.

● Close-knit community
Islands can foster a strong sense of identity and common purpose. Many islands, like Eigg, Barra and Westray are driving towards self-sufficiency in energy and greater independence from the mainland, which further anchors residents to their home. Be aware, though, that some are populated predominantly by families that have lived there all their lives, which can make integration harder.

● The sea, the sea...
The smaller the island, the greater the impact of the sea. If you've always loved wide horizons, dramatic sunsets, boating, fishing or coastal walks, an island life offers all this in abundance.

● Internet access
Employment opportunities may be limited on islands, but now that all but the smallest of them have internet access, it's possible to work, shop and communicate remotely. 

 

So is moving to an island right for you? Click here to find six of the best islands

 

---

You might also like...

Find out all you need to know about moving out of town

 

What's stopping you from moving to the coast? Take the quiz

Subscribe Save up to 47%