It’s a running joke on the internet that Americans aren’t exactly masters of European geography. Let’s put that theory to the test: Can you name the countries of the British Isles? Sure, there’s the big one (England), the koala-shaped one next to it (Ireland), and maybe you’ve even heard of Scotland and Wales. But what about the other 4,000 smaller islands sprinkled across the archipelago?
Well, let us get you acquainted with at least one of them. Welcome to the Isle of Man. Found roughly equidistant and snugly sandwiched between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, this island nation measures just 30 miles long and 10 miles wide – and yet is busting with stunning natural landscapes of mountains, moorlands and sweeping beaches.
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It has its own government, its own culture and its own, distinct language, one that’s formed from an amalgamation of the ancient Celtic tongues of its neighbors. It was the first nation in the world to be entirely recognized as a Unesco Biosphere, and is home to some quirky locals, including the famously tailless Manx cats and an escapee population of red-necked wallabies that have somehow settled into life in the Irish Sea.
Oh, and we shouldn’t forget to mention that The Isle of Man has no capital gains tax, wealth tax, stamp duty or inheritance tax, and has a top rate of income tax of 22% (as of April 2024). Perhaps that explains why the Isle of Man is as enticing to accountants as it is to adventurers – and why this island with a population of around 85,000 boasts more registered private jets than France, Italy or Spain.
For those craving a thrill – whether that’s hiking or hoarding tax breaks – we might have the property for you. The 60-acre, six-bedroom coastal estate of Arragon Mooar feels equal parts palace and Palladian compound.
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Conceived by the British inventor and entrepreneur Dr John C Taylor, Arragon Mooar will have to fight the kettle switch for his longest-lasting legacy. Taylor brought his keen eye for detail and the same exacting standards to Arragon Mooar, taking more than seven years to construct the architectural marvel.
The home centers around the soaring elliptical atrium, complete with a cantilevered staircase and a bespoke stone floor that mimics a dahlia bloom when viewed from above. Rising over 32 ft, this central space serves as the nucleus of the home.
Surrounding it are the property’s six en-suite bedrooms, alongside a series of luxurious living areas, including an elliptical drawing room, a refined dining room and a cozy TV snug. For those seeking both style and practicality, the home features a state-of-the-art kitchen, guest cloakrooms, a laundry room, and versatile office spaces.
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The lower atrium offers even more, with a function suite, a photography studio that doubles as a cinema room, and a secure exhibition space that could easily transform into a gym. Every inch of the property is imbued with purpose and personality, from secret staircases to custom chandeliers requiring entirely new wiring techniques.
Outside, the formal parterre gardens, an orangery inspired by Taylor’s grandfather, a rockery, and tranquil ponds frame the property’s striking silhouette. The expansive grounds also house three impeccably designed cottages, and a discreet eight-car garage hidden beneath the gardens.
Then there’s the property’s 360-degree rooftop terrace. On a clear day, you can spy Snowdon in Wales, the Isle of Man’s rolling hills – and the silhouette of your accountant doing cartwheels when he realizes you don’t have to pay a penny of stamp duty on this £20m (approx. $24.5m) home.
£20m (approx. $24.5m), sothebysrealty/isle-of-man
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