Chance to ‘buy a bit of Gigha’ as trust aims to recoup cost of island idyll

Published on Sunday 31 March 2002 00:00

THE islanders who clubbed together to buy Gigha are planning to sell off building plots to help repay their £1m loan.

Gigha inhabitants believe outsiders will rush to buy small sections of land on the island, which has spectacular sea views in every direction.

Prices are expected to range from 15,000 to 25,000 a plot, depending on size and location.

The buy-a-bit-of Gigha scheme is part of islanders’ plans to raise money to pay off a loan which went towards the 4m cost of buying the island, which they took control of earlier this month.

Gigha Trust spokeswoman, Margaret Andrew, said: "We haven’t worked out all the details yet but we believe that properly done house plot sales will bring in a lot of money to pay part of our debt.

"There haven’t been any new houses built here because all the previous island owners refused to allow it.

"If we succeed in encouraging new businesses to Gigha then people will want to live here. Or maybe people simply want to come and live here because it is so restful and beautiful."

In less than 20 years, Gigha’s population has fallen from 180 to 110. The primary school has only six pupils yet in the late 1970s the school roll was 34.

It might be isolated, but islanders think there is still a lot to offer househunters.

The warm Gulf Stream reaches the island off the Kintyre peninsula and makes it a gardener’s paradise. Winters are usually mild with an abundance of rain to freshen the rich soil.

Campbeltown solicitor Alan Walker said house plots sell on the mainland sell for up to 25,000.

He said: "How much they may be on Gigha gets the old reply ‘How long is a piece of string?’ Size and situation are two very important factors obviously that affect price.

"A house on Islay for example overlooking the shore will naturally cost more than a house stuck in the middle of field up a farm track with no views at all.

"But considering there are sea views from everywhere on Gigha I think the plots will sell very quickly if offered."

"In this part of Argyll plots sell for as much as 25,000 which compared to Bearsden and Milngavie is chicken feed.

He added: "Buyers will have to take into consideration the servicing of an island plot. It may need a new roadway to reach it. Water must be laid on, a new septic tank for household waste, electricity supplied, fencing and so on - all adding to building costs."

"And there has to be compliance with local authority planning. On Islay the planning authority is keen on the traditional one-and-a-half storey cottage-style property.

"Building one of those from a timber frame design would cost approximately 70,000."

Other money spinners being looked at by the trust include selling Achamore House, encouraging the start-up of a small brewery, a musical instrument manufacturing unit and redeveloping farms and tourism-related businesses.