You can buy a private island in Scotland for less than an average Dubai apartment: Dh1.14 million

The island costs less than a Dubai Marina or Downtown two-bed home

The Shetland island of Linga is for sale, seen here in the centre of the photo, it is one kilometre by boat away from the mainland town, Walls. Courtesy Vladi Private Islands

Over the past month or so, many people across the world have learnt they can fair better in isolation than they expected.

So if the lone life is the one for you, seeking out a private island to move to may well sound like a little bit of heaven right now.

Linga, a private island in Scotland, is for sale for £250,000 (Dh1.14 million). Last year, the average price of a Dubai apartment was Dh1.2m, according to Cavendish Maxwell.

Linga is far from ready to move to, but you would be buying about 26 hectares of unspoiled land, a one-kilometre boat ride from the western Shetland town of Walls.

The island is part of the Shetland subarctic archipelago. Although it is officially a part of Scotland, it is located between the UK and Norway, about 342km from Aberdeen, Scotland, and 355km from Bergen, on Norway's west coast.

As it stands, there are two buildings on the island, neither of which is habitable, however there is already permission in place to build on the plot.

"It is a place of spectacular scenery and beauty with an abundance of wildlife," the advertisement on Vladi Private Islands says.

"This is an exciting development opportunity, with the island having planning consent for the building of a pier and storage shed with reception area, new agricultural buildings, a two-acre loch with traditional watermill, as well as the rebuilding of the two derelict cottages and the erection of a new cottage."

A semi-constructed building on the private island of Linga, in Scotland's Shetland Islands. Courtesy Vladi Private Islands

If you wanted to move there and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, permission could also be given to build a windmill and solar panels to provide power.

How do you get to Shetland?

There are two main ways to get to Shetland: by ferry or air.

To fly, you can travel to Sumburgh Airport in Shetland from airports across the UK, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, daily and from Manchester, England, once a week. In the summer months, you can take direct flights to and from Bergen.

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick on Shetland's east coast. The ferry is a 12 to 13-hour journey through the night. It is typically less expensive than flying.

Once in Shetland, Walls is a 32-minute drive from Lerwick's ferry, or a 57-minute drive from Sumburgh Airport for those flying in.

What is there to do in Shetland? 

Shetland is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, with pristine beaches and trails to explore across 15 inhabited islands.

On clear nights during the winter months, the Northern Lights, or "mirrie dancers" as they're known locally, can be seen from the Shetland Islands.

In the summer months, there are the Folk Frenzy and Folk Festival events and between January and March, towns and communities across Shetland organise a series of fire festivals called Up Helly Aa.

There are museums and heritage centres to visit in towns across Shetland, to help visitors learn more about the history of the islands. Unsurprisingly, the fresh seafood is exceptional and lamb and beef are also available here, making dining out a treat.

Seals on a beach in Shetland, Scotland, UK. Chris Combe / Wikicommons

Nature in Shetland is incredible. Puffin sightings aren't unusual and the Sumburgh cliffs are home to thousands of seabirds in the summer breeding season. Grey and common seals can be found on the islands year-round and otters also live in the isles. Porpoises are also often seen regularly from harbours.

Between May and August, lucky visitors may spot orcas off the coast. White-sided dolphins can also be spotted in the waters, as well as a variety of whales, including minke and pilot. Risso's dolphins have also been spotted there, according to the tourism board.

The climate isn't for the faint of heart, however. It's cold and wet for much of the year, with winter running from November to April, when temperatures sit at about 0°C to 5°C . Summer temperatures are about 10°C to 15°C, making summer feel like winter along the Mediterranean coast.