Eilean Shona, Tidal island in Loch Moidart, Scotland
Eilean Shona is a tidal island in Loch Moidart with six peaks spread across roughly 525 hectares. The landscape includes moorland, woodland, and rocky outcrops, with Beinn a' Bhàillidh offering views toward the neighboring islands of Rhum, Eigg, and Skye.
The island was long connected to Clanranald history, until around 1851 when roughly 37 families left due to the potato famine and difficult conditions. This marked the end of an era of close-knit island settlement.
The name comes from Gaelic meaning "good fortune." Today, visitors find working crofts and simple stone buildings that reflect how people have lived with the land for generations in this remote location.
Reach the island by boat from Dorlin Pier, with sailings available several times per week. Eight traditional cottages offer stays year-round, though visitors should prepare for changeable weather and walking across open terrain between buildings.
After buying the island in 1853, Captain Swinburne planted one of Europe's largest collections of pine trees here. These trees still shape the landscape today, creating a forested character unusual for a remote Scottish island.
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