Man buys island so he and his wife can be buried there
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A Hertfordshire teacher has paid £55,000 for a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland so that he and his wife can be buried there.
The Daily Mail reports that Piers Casimir-Mrowczynski bought Mackenzie Island, which is uninhabited, earlier this week.
Mr Casimir-Mrowczynki, 50, who is head of ICT at Beechwood Park boarding school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, became interested in the idea when he was diagnosed with cancer of the appendix three years ago.
He said: "About three years ago I had cancer of the appendix. That was a really hard time, but thankfully I'm doing well now, although I've not been given an official 'all clear'. I have a check-up every six months although I receive no treatment.
"The cancer battle got me thinking about where I wanted to be laid to rest, when my time comes, and this island just seemed perfect.
"I love the sea. When I found the island just off the coast of Islay, it seemed ideal. The beauty of it is that there's not much there.
"Some might see that as a negative, but it's a beautiful part of the world. It looks out into the ocean, and you can also take into account the wildlife and history.
"The attraction was the wildlife and the beautiful setting, and the fact it is undeveloped."
Mr Casimir-Mrowczynki is yet to visit the island and has only viewed it in pictures. He says he only bought the island because he couldn't afford one like it in England, but he now plans to visit once every six months with his wife, Pauline, and their two children Miles, 12, and Lydia, 11.
He says: "It's not the easiest place to get to, I must admit. There's not many islands in the south of England, apart from the Isle of White, and I can't afford that.
"I think we would need to get a flight to Glasgow, and then perhaps a ferry, to get to Mackenzie Island.
"We obviously can't stay on the island because there's no buildings, so I think we would probably stay at Portnavahen at night, which is nearby and has hotels and B&Bs.
"It's not the easiest journey, but after the difficulty of the last few years, it's an adventure I look forward to."
He added: "An island isn't something that your average person can buy, so I'm really lucky. Owning your own island would be the dream of many people.
"The plan is for Pauline to be joining me out there when her time comes, so to speak. We will both be buried there together, although we hope it won't be for some time yet.
"We plan for our children to be involved in it, once we die, and it will be held in a trust. We hope to keep it for all time, as it is now."
Mackenzie island is located about 220 yards offshore from the village of Portnahaven. It has breathtaking views of the Atlantic and North Channel, and the larger island of Orsay with its famous Rinns lighthouse, is immediately to the south.
The 42.7 acre rocky island is a site of special scientific interest and a special protection area. The surrounding waters are frequented by grey seals and otters as well as numerous bird species.
Click on the image below to see some of Britain's most picturesque villages...
Britain's most picturesque villages
- Crail, Fife, Scotland<p>This charming fishing village in the pretty East Neuk of Fife has cobbled streets that tumble down to the miniature harbour, which is sheltered by cliffs and surrounded by attractive fishing cottages. The 13th-century St Mary's Church is known as one of Scotland's most beautiful ancient churches. Crail Museum, Crail Pottery and the Jerdan Gallery are other top places to visit in the village and in July the Crail Festival takes place with events including sandcastle-making competitions, concerts and Scottish Opera workshops. <a href="http://ad-emea.doubleclick.net/clk;256551412;80346830;c" target="_blank">Check out accommodation deals in Scotland</a>.</p>
- Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England<p>With its beautiful stone houses dating back hundreds of years and constructed in the typical Cotswold style, Castle Combe is known as one of Britain's prettiest villages. Its history of being an important centre for the wool industry with spinsters and weavers living in the cottages add to its charm and the idyllic village has even attracted Hollywood producers who have chosen it as a setting for films like War Horse, Stardust and Doctor Doolittle. Stop to take photos of the Town Bridge, which was once made of wood and reconstructed in the 18th century, eat traditional pub food and drink real ale at the historic White Hart pub and check out the Market Cross monument, which is the centrepiece of the village.</p>
- Cushendun, County Antrim, Northern Ireland<p>Designed by architect Clough William Ellis in 1912 in the style of a Cornish village to please the Baron of Cushendun's Penzance-born wife, Cushendun is a quaint coastal village located at the mouth of Northern Ireland's River Dun. The lovely village nestled at the foot of the stunning Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim, has inspired writers and artists from all over the world, who come to admire the whitewashed cottages, the village square with its craft shops and tea rooms and its wonderful sandy beach.</p>
- Polperro, Cornwall, England<p>The chocolate-box village of Polperro in South East Cornwall is characterised by its narrow winding streets, tiny fishermen's cottages and picturesque harbour. The village is free of traffic, although there's a tram for you to make a stylish arrival, before wandering the streets and browsing the locally-made handicrafts in the boutiques. Polperro is famous for its seafood, so enjoying a fresh crab sandwich from one of the cafes while sitting on the harbour is a must. Follow the coastal footpaths that fan out from the village and take you to the many beaches that are often empty, even during summer.</p>
- Beddgelert, Gwynedd, Wales<p>Snowdonia's most beautiful village Beddgelert is surrounded by epic scenery and located close to the delightful Glaslyn Gorge. The small unspoilt village boasts stone-built houses, inns and hotels with two rivers, the Glaslyn and the Colwyn, meeting at a bridge in the centre. Visit the Sygun Copper Mine to explore its winding tunnels and colourful chambers, and stop at St Mary's Church to marvel at its medieval features. Beddgelert was the setting for children's character Rupert Bear where author and illustrator Alfred Bestall wrote some of his stories from his cottage in the village.</p>
- Hawkshead, Cumbria, England<p>Whitewashed houses, courtyards and cobbled alleyways make up this picture-perfect village in the Lake District. As the centre of Hawkshead is closed to traffic, it's ideal for exploring by foot and discovering the boutiques, historic teashops and inns dotted throughout the village. Hawkshead is a great base for a hill-walking holiday in Cumbria and offers unspoilt charm and stunning views around every corner. Poet William Wordsworth and children's author Beatrix Potter were fans of the village's narrow streets and ancient architecture. Don't miss the Beatrix Potter Gallery, delicious cupcakes at boutique and cafe Poppi Red and a walk to the spectacular Tarn Hows.</p>
- Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland<p>Set in the southern Highlands of Scotland, Comrie is a beautiful village, which lies on the banks of the pebbly River Earn. The White Church is the focal point of the village and at the end of Comrie's small square you'll find a striking building portraying Scottish Baronial architecture, designed by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Nearby you'll find the deep freshwater pool Linn a' chullaich, which is used for wild swimming in the summer, the picturesque Glen Artney, which was immortalised in Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady of the Lake, and the Sput Rolla waterfall.</p>
- Bibury, Gloucestershire, England<p>The charming Cotswold village of Bibury is home to the picturesque Arlington Row with its row of cottages that that date back to 1380, the attractive Bibury Trout Farm and the pretty River Coln. William Morris once described Bibury as 'the most beautiful village in England' and it is said to be one of the most stunning areas of the Cotswolds with one of the best things to do here spending lazy summer afternoons walking among the honey-coloured stone buildings. Be sure to visit Arlington Mill, the Church of St Mary and Bibury Post Office too.</p>
- Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Wales<p>Betws-y-Coed is set in a spectacular valley in the Snowdonia National Park and is surrounded by magnificent mountains and woodland. The quaint village is home to many bridges, cafes and tourist shops. The Motor Museum has a collection of over 30 vintage cars and Pont-y-Pair (Bridge of the Cauldron) was built in 1468 and is buffeted by foaming water after heavy rain falls. Some of the activities you can enjoy in the area include going on an underground adventure in the abandoned mines of Snowdonia, canyoning and rock climbing.</p>
- Blanchland, Northumberland, England<p>This model village in the North Pennines lies beneath magnificent fells, close to deep woods and the Derwent Reservoir. There are many listed buildings in Blanchland, the historic Abbey to which the village owes its original existence and even an honesty box in the car parks with all proceeds supporting the Blanchland's charitable activities. Places to visit include the Post Office, The Blanchland Deli and Gallery Upstairs before you stop for afternoon tea at The White Monk Tea Rooms.</p>
- Great Ayton, YorkshireThe pretty village of Great Ayton stands at the unofficial gateway to the North York Moors and is perched on the banks of the River Levern. The village can trace its origins back to neolithic times and used to survive on its linen, leather, beer and mining industries. Now it's most famous as the childhood home of the explorer Captain James Cook and for its proximity to the Roseberry Topping mountain, which is carpeted in bluebells every spring.
- Crovie, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandA remote, single line of houses make up the tiny fishing village of Crovie. The village curls itself around the base of the cliffs that form the east side of Gamrie Bay and boasts uninterrupted views of the wild Scottish coastline. Adding to Crovie's charm is the complete lack of vehicles, the road is simply too narrow to accommodate them!
- Tobermory, Isle of Mull, ScotlandThe brightly-painted, picture-postcard village of Tobermory in Mull is surrounded by high woodland-fringed hills and was built as a fishing port in the 18th century. There is reputedly the wreck of a Spanish galleon somewhere in the mud at the bottom of the bay and wildlife lovers can spot whales dolphins and basking sharks off the coastline.
- Dunster, SomersetDunster is set into the sweeping hills and valleys of Exmoor National Park and the cobbled, medieval village has over 200 listed buildings, including the National Trust’s 11th century Dunster Castle and the Old Yarn Market, which was a focal point for the old Exmoor wool and cloth trade. Visitors should head to Dunster for the <a href="http://www.dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk/" target="_blank">Candlelight festival</a> in December where<br /> a Lantern Lighting Procession is led by the spectacularly costumed stiltwalkers from Syrcus Circus to form a river if light through the village.
- Lower Slaughter, CotswoldsDespite its inauspicious namesake, the village of Lower Slaughter is actually named after the Old English name for a wet land 'slough' or 'slothre' (Old English for muddy place). This impossibly pretty village sits beside the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt, traditional limestone cottages and spectacular converted mill. Copse Hill Road in Lower Slaughter was even named the most romantic street in Britain in a poll for Google Street View in 2011.
