Quirky Scottish Airbnb Airship Complex Generating £100,000 Annually Listed for Sale
An architect and interior designer couple are selling their unique holiday rental business in the Scottish Highlands, including an airship-shaped property and other unusual accommodations, to focus on charitable work abroad.
A distinctive holiday accommodation complex in the Scottish Highlands, featuring a highly wish-listed airship-shaped property, has been put up for sale. The owners, architect Roderick James, 79, and interior designer Amanda Markham, 73, are seeking offers over £750,000 for the four-acre site, which generates approximately £100,000 in annual income.
The centerpiece of the property is AirShip 002, an aluminum-clad structure designed by Roderick James and completed in 2017. Conceived as a modern interpretation of an airship with a curved form and dragonfly windows, it has become one of Britain's most popular rentals on Airbnb. James described the property as "like a womb with a view," a sentiment once shared by Sandi Toksvig.
James and Markham, who run a firm called Out of the Blue, purchased the land in 2016 with the intention of developing it as a business. After an initial plan for a client's home did not materialize, James decided to embark on the airship project as a "fun project." The couple, who already lived in a nearby house they had built, saw the potential for rental income.
Building on the success of the AirShip, the couple added two more unique accommodations to the site in 2019. PilotHouse PH5 is a two-story, submarine-style mini-home with an oval-shaped living space on the upper floor and a bedroom, study, and shower room on the ground floor, complete with a balcony overlooking the sea. The third property is The Captain's Cabin, which features a nautical-inspired interior, marine artifacts, and a rooftop balcony, with some furnishings sourced from the former cruise ship Arcadia.
The complex also includes The Old Chapel, located below The Captain's Cabin, which currently serves as a two-bedroom accommodation for owners or staff. James noted that the site's appeal extends to wildlife spotting, with otters and deer frequently seen in the vicinity.
The couple decided to sell the business to focus on setting up a major charity in Rwanda, where James was born. "It's time for someone else to take it all on and make a living from it," James stated, indicating a desire to spend more time abroad.
James believes the site's income could be increased with broader marketing beyond the Airbnb platform. He suggested that the property could appeal to investors or individuals seeking a lifestyle change, perhaps from urban centers like London or Glasgow. He also noted that maintaining the business, even at 100% occupancy, requires only about 12 hours of work per week.
The property is listed for sale with Savills.