Ex-Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young buys Inchconnachan Island in Loch ...

Ex-Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young buys Inchconnachan Island in Loch ...
Ex-Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young buys Inchconnachan Island in Loch ...

Former Desert Island Discs host Kirsty Young has purchased a deserted island in the middle of a Scottish loch.

The 53-year-old and her husband Nick Jones, 58, reportedly forked out £1.55million on Inchconnachan Island in Loch Lomond which is also known as Wallaby Island due to the colony of marsupials that live there.

The island was owned by the the aristocratic Colquhoun family from the 14th century and has been uninhabited for the last 20 years.

It is mostly covered in ancient woodland and features a derelict bungalow, boathouse and pier which were constructed in the 1920s.

According to plans submitted to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, the couple plan to demolish the bungalow and replace it with a timber three-bedroom lodge and also replace the boathouse.

A source close to the couple told the Scottish Sun on Sunday: 'It is modest accommodation in keeping with what is already on the island.'

Former Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young and her husband Nick Jones have purchased Inchconnachan Island (pictured), a deserted island in the middle of Scotland's Loch Lomond, where they plan to build a holiday home for themselves

Former Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young and her husband Nick Jones have purchased Inchconnachan Island (pictured), a deserted island in the middle of Scotland's Loch Lomond, where they plan to build a holiday home for themselves

Kirsty Young and Nick Jones GQ Men of the Year Awards, Royal Opera House, London

Nick Jones and Kirsty Young

The couple reportedly paid £1.55million for the deserted island in the middle of Loch Lomond which measures 103 acres

The source insisted that the purchase was for their own personal use and would not become part of the £1.4 billion Soho House empire.

Nick Jones founded the private members' club chain in 1995 and it was floated last year on the New York stock exchange. 

The island went up for sale through estate agents Savills and Knight Frank last year with a starting price tag of £500,000.

Plans submitted on behalf of the couple suggest they want to 'reverse the decline' of the island and are 'committed to immediate action and long-term environmental management'. 

The plans state: 'Nick and Kirsty are tremendously excited to have this unique opportunity to participate, to not only conserve the island, but to enhance the natural habitat and restore it to its natural state.

'The last few decades has seen the island fall into a neglected state and it will remain so unless there is a dedicated commitment and serious financial input.

The couple plan to replace the island's derelict bungalow (pictured) with a timber three-bedroom lodge according to plans

The couple plan to replace the island's derelict bungalow (pictured) with a timber three-bedroom

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