Gigha asks £600,000 for former laird's home

Published on Monday 13 January 2003 00:00

ISLANDERS on Gigha are dipping into the property market for the first time in history by putting the former laird’s house up for sale.

Achamore House is on the market with an asking price of 600,000. Islanders hope the move will help to repay the 1 million loan they received from the National Lottery to buy Gigha last year.

The new owner will have the chance to make history as the first non-laird to live in the mansion, built in 1884.

Dr Andy Oliver, who runs the post office and guesthouse and was appointed director of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, is looking forward to the sale.

He commented: "The thought of a new owner in the big house seems slightly odd as, historically, it was always the laird’s house.

"Since we run our own affairs now, however, they will be treated like any other family moving here. They will be welcomed with open arms."

The 12-bedroom baronial mansion was built for Captain William Scarlett, the third Lord Abinger, in 1884. The two storey-house B-listed has figureheads depicting characters from the works of Robert Burns, and one of the Bard himself.

It also has its own standby generator, mini fire station with working hoses, a game larder and kennels.

The 108 islanders bought the seven-mile-long by 1.5 mile wide island last year after laird Derek Holt, 75, put it on the market for 4 million.