The Isle of Canna has 15 residents.
Tim Graham / Contributor
- The owner of a remote island with 15 residents is seeking new tenants to run its guesthouse.
- The Tighard Guesthouse is located on Isle of Canna, just over 20 miles from the Scottish mainland.
- Applicants have been asked to submit a business plan and will be invited to tour the island.
For those dreaming of giving up the rat race and moving to isolation, a remote Scottish island might provide the opportunity.
National Trust Scotland, which owns the Isle of Canna, is seeking candidates to replace the current tenants of the Tighard Guesthouse, a three bedroom, Edwardian bed and breakfast on the island, per The Guardian.
Canna – 6.9 km long by 1km wide – is part of the Inner Hebrides, a series of islands located 20 miles off the west coast of Scotland. It has 15 residents and is only accessible by ferry three times a week.
The Trust has received 100 formal applications from all over the world, since it started advertising the role in November, and is in the process of whittling down applications to a shortlist of 10 after the vacancy closed in December.
The Tighard Guesthouse.
National Trust Scotland
Finding the right fit is essential, as any new tenant is expected to not just manage the guesthouse, but take an active part in the day-to-day running of the island, which has been overseen by a Community Trust since 2017.
The 15 residents are a mixture of Gaelic and English speakers.
Applicants will also need to be prepared to cope with the isolation and the often cold and wet island climate.
“This is technically not really a job, it’s more of a business opportunity for the tenants,” a spokesperson for National Trust Scotland told Insider.
They said those on the final shortlist have to submit business plans – outlining how they’ll run the business – and contribute to the local economy, which also includes a campsite, self-catered cottages and a cafe.
Those deemed as potentially suitable candidates will then be invited to tour the island and meet the community trust, at a time nearer to Easter.
According to its website, the Tighard Guesthouse was built in 1904. It has three guest bedrooms, an orchard, woodland and a lawn. There is one private room, ruling out any applicants with children.
The spokesperson told Insider that the current leaseholders were moving on after a few years, although a person at the guesthouse declined to speak to Insider.
Although opportunities can be rare, many dream of swapping a 9-to-5 lifestyle in order to live and work in remote locations.
Those who have made the switch say they value the change of pace and close-knit community spirit.
Small islands will sometimes issue calls for new residents in order to bring new skills to communities.
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