Couple revel in island isolation

The couple plan to stay on Sanda Island indefinitely

A young couple have arrived on a Scottish island as its only inhabitants after turning their backs on city life and leaving their jobs.

Charles McVey left behind the BBC's River City while his fiancée Wendy Byfeld left her civil service post to become Sanda Island's caretakers.

Wendy, 24, said: "It is life changing, completely out of the norm."

The couple can expect visitors to the island's bar and cottages in summer and complete isolation in winter months.

People say I'll go crazy and told me not to watch The Shining Charles McVey

The island is privately owned and is situated near the Mull of Kintyre in Argyll.

It sits between Campbeltown and Red Bay, Northern Ireland, and is roughly 13 miles from both.

The couple were awarded the job after the island's owners advertised for caretakers.

They plan to marry there in September.

'No turning back'

Charles, 28, from Bonhill, previously worked behind the scenes at River City.

He said: "I wanted to do something totally different and can't wait for the isolation.

"People say I'll go crazy and told me not to watch The Shining.

The Byron Darnton tavern will be the couple's only hope of social contact

"There is no turning back, I'm excited and eager to get stuck in.

"It will be hard graft, I'm not going in with my eyes closed.

"I think there will be subtle changes, my personality will grow and in the winter there will be inner growth."

He added: "If we feel it's getting heated, there are two sides to the island."

The couple will be responsible for maintaining six holiday cottages, a B&B and the local pub.

They fell in love with the place after Wendy visited and worked on Sanda Island.

'Time together'

Wendy said: "I'm really excited, it's been a long-haul getting here.

"I'm very nervous, I've done the job but it will be very different.

"A lot of people have said it sounds scary and they wouldn't do it.

"It is daring."

She said she preferred the different way of life in the country.

"In the winter we'll need to take each day as it comes. We'll give each other space," she added.

"I'm hoping summer will be good as a lot of people will visit.

"It'll give us some time together and I think I'll develop as a person."

The couple aim to stay on the island indefinitely but will review the situation after a year.