Tiree is one of the most beautiful islands in Scotland, famed for its white sands, crystal-clear seas and balmy weather, but visitors travelling its unhurried roads might be surprised by one of its more unusual attractions – an 18th century waterwheel.
This charming fragment of history is the dramatic introduction to a substantial cluster of buildings which sit in splendid isolation at the northern shore of the Inner Hebridean gem, within touching distance of spectacular sandy beaches.
The property, which has the feel of a small hamlet within Cornaigmore, is made up of the sturdy, stone-built Millhouse Farmhouse, the successful Millhouse Hostel – converted from an old barn and the original mill building itself It has now become available as a rare lifestyle business opportunity.
Lying just west of the meandering B8068, which links this rural area to the ferry port at Scarinish, the 0.7 acre-site is being brought to the market by DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest independent firms of chartered surveyors, at a guide price of £550,000.
With its virtually guaranteed – and Gulf Stream-warmed waves, Tiree is a Mecca for surfers and the current owner of the Millhouse complex, David Naylor, has been riding these Atlantic breakers for some 30 years. He is now planning to retire.
He said: “Millhouse is a special place to me. Its secluded location, a quarter of a mile from the nearest habitation, together with the tranquillity of the millpond and waterwheel, give it a real sense of peace and history.”
The business centres around a purpose-built 16-bed hostel converted from a barn in 2001. The adjacent three-bedroom farmhouse would make an ideal owner/manager residence or could serve as additional guest accommodation for up to 10 people.
The watermill, fed by the clean waters of nearby Loch Bhasapol, was built around 1798 and used to grind cereal for the whole island’s population. Although the mill itself is now a ruin, the waterwheel itself was lovingly restored in 2006 using traditional methods and materials.
The pond and associated mill-lades are full of wildlife, with frequent sightings of otters, trout, eels and many birds, including the elusive corncrake.
David said: “As well as looking after guests, it is also a joy to help maintain a busy watery eco-system. There is also huge potential for renewable energy generation, and full off-grid living is a realistic possibility given the abundance of water, wind and solar resources on-site.”
Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides, lying some 25 miles from Ardnamurchan Peninsula, itself the mainland’s most westerly point. It is served by regular ferries from the busy seaside town of Oban and by regular flights to and from Glasgow Airport.
The property includes a large car park, extensive lawned areas, vegetable garden and the picturesque pond separating the mill from the developed buildings. With relevant permissions, the mill could be transformed into an additional business opportunity or make a spectacular residence in itself.
The property is being sold by a collaboration of DM Hall’s specialist teams Business Sales, headed by Margaret Mitchell, and Rural Sales by Jennifer Campbell.
Jennifer said: “Milhouse Hostel is an easily manageable operation. The hostel can be let out as a single entity or as traditional hostel accommodation, which can produce income from day one.
“The owner’s accommodation, which is in move-in order, provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the benefits of living in a beautiful, remote location, yet within a well-established community, while being on site to manage and maintain the business.”
Full trading accounts are available upon request to interested parties and full details of the property are available here.
“The guide price for the property is £550,000 and all enquiries should be directed to the rural team at DM Hall at business.sales@dmhall.co.uk or on 0131 624 6130. Viewing is strictly by appointment.
“For satnav purposes, the property postcode is PA77 6XA. The property can also be located via the what3words: https://w3w.co/shelved.reclined.snowstorm.”
