Scotland's infamous 'murder island' up for sale

Imagine owning your own island.

It’s a concept that usually conjures up images of crystal seas, powdery white sands, and a sunny tropical climate.

But if you'd prefer a windswept Scottish outcrop that was once the scene of an infamous murder - act quickly.

Little Ross Island is for sale.

It’s at the mouth of the Dee River estuary, close to Kirkcudbright in south-west Scotland.

It seems surprisingly affordable - offers start at $540,000.

For that you get nearly 12 hectares of land, a six-bedroom cottage, and a few ramshackle old outbuildings.  

It’s powered by wind and solar power.

There’s a lighthouse too, that’s now automatic.  

It’s not included in the sale but it’s central to the story of why Little Ross Island became infamous.

Back in 1960, there was a lighthouse keeper, and an assistant.

It was a lonely, isolated life.

Particularly in winter, when storms can make the island impossible to leave for days or weeks.

It got the better of assistant keeper Robert Dickson.

He murdered his workmate, Hugh Clark, and fled the island.

Dickson was later caught and sent to jail in a case that made national headlines in the UK and is still a part of local folklore.

Little Ross Island is owned by Sir David Hope-Dunbar. It’s been in his family since 1670.

I caught up with him while he was salmon fishing near Inverness in Scotland’s north.

He says the island isn’t haunted and it would be the perfect buy for someone who wanted to be Laird of their own Scottish estate.

There’s been international interest, with inquiries even coming from Australia.

Who knows - maybe soon the Laird of Little Ross will speak with an Aussie accent.