The tiny car-free island in the UK that inspired Peter Pan – with rare wildlife and cosy cottages you can rent
THERE’S a tiny Scottish island that inspired a famous British author – and holidaymakers can book to stay in one of its cosy cottages.
Staycations are becoming increasingly popular with Brits who aren’t keen on heading abroad for their holidays.
Fortunately, there are plenty of stunning destinations in the UK, including Eilean Shona – a private island on the west coast of Scotland.
Set on Loch Moidart, the island is believed to have inspired the well-known Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie.
Barrie stayed on the island in the 1920s, with his four foster sons who were the inspiration behind the Darling brothers and the Lost Boys in Peter Pan.
While on the island, Barrie is also said to have worked on the screenplay for Peter Pan, as well as a ghost story.
Since 1995, the island has belonged to the Devereux-Branson family who rent out cottages and cabins to holidaymakers.
The holiday cottages are located on the southeast side of the island where they overlook the loch and the castle ruins.
All of the cottages are self-catering, but guests can shop for groceries and other store cupboard essentials at the island’s local shop.
There are plenty of activities on the island too, including hiking, kayaking, swimming, and nature watching.
Holidaymakers are also invited into the island’s village hall where they’ll find weekly pub nights, board games, and Wi-Fi access.
Because there are no roads on Eilean Shona, guests will be required to leave their cars at a car park on the mainland.
The island is a wildlife haven too and is home to several animals, including red deer, red squirrels, pine martens, otters, common seals, and grey seals.
There are plenty of birds on the island too, like white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, buzzards, hooded crows, grey herons, and tawny owls.
Other species of birds include robins, wrens, blackbirds woodpeckers, bluetits, and many, many, more.
Holidaymakers may also be able to spot dolphins, minke whales, and basking sharks in the island’s surrounding waters.
But stays on the island don’t come cheap, with one-bed cottages, such as the Red Cottage, costing £1,100 for two people for one week.
Meanwhile, a stay at Tioram Cottage, which sleeps up to eight people, costs £3,000 for an entire week.
The island is a four-hour drive from both Glasgow and Inverness.
From the mainland, holidaymakers will need to board a small boat to reach the island.
The island can also be reached via a helicopter, which is how Richard Branson prefers to arrive when he holidays on Eilean Shona.
This isn’t the only UK island that’s said to have inspired a famous children’s author.
Set in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island inspired well-known children’s author Enid Blyton.
After she glimpsed Brownsea, Blyton wrote about Whispering Island in the Famous Five book, Five Have a Mystery to Solve.
Meanwhile, a tiny island in the UK has been described as “paradise” by holidaymakers – and it’s incredibly easy to reach.
Osea Island is a tiny private island where all of the celebs go, with A-listers including Rihanna, Stormzy and Jude Law staying over the years.
Often dubbed the “English Necker Island,” most visit for the recording studio although tourists can book overnight stays on part of the island.