A stunning private island with its own ferry has been put up for sale. Inchmarnock is located just off the west coast of the Isle of Bute in the Firth of the Clyde.

The small island has lots of history. Its name comes from Marnock, or Mo-Ernoc in Gaelic, which means “My Little Ernan,” allegedly named after St Columba’s uncle, Ernan, who had accompanied him on his journey from Ireland to Iona. He lived on the island in the 7th century and established a monastery. Kilmarnock and Dalmarnock are some other areas of Scotland he is said to have lent his name to. 

The 3.5-kilometre-long island also served as a Bronze Age settlement and a resting place for Scottish warriors who died in the Battle of Largs in 1263.

Local legends state that during the 19th century, drunks were sent over from Rothesay, a town in the Isle of Bute, to Inchmarnock to “dry out” by living in a land of isolation.

During the Second World War, Bute was used for military training and Inchmarnock was part of the training exercises used for tank landing craft. The 9th Scottish Commando and French Canadians trained there ahead of D-Day landings.

Home to the largest colony of herring gulls in the Firth of the Clyde, Inchmarnock also houses greylag geese and a grey seal colony.

The island listing also includes The Port House, a four-bedroom home in Bute with views that cast over to Inchmarnock and beyond to the Kintyre Peninsula, The National reports.

The estate helms a private harbour, slipway and The Marnock, which is a purpose-built ferry designed to transport vehicles and livestock between the island.

Strutt and Parker is managing the rare sale of the island.