Wilderness

This magical island, with crystal clear waters and ancient forests, is a rare habitat. Unlike many windswept Scottish islands, Eilean Shona is nestled close to the mainland which means it’s rich with several different ecosystems. Eilean Shona’s native woodlands are classified as part of the Scottish Rainforest belt, an ancient swathe of forest on the Atlantic coast dating back to the last ice age. The island is populated by trees dripping with lichens and rocks clad with abundant mosses. Isolated patches of this rainforest exist across the west coast of Scotland including the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, but it is thought that as much as 50% of all temperate rainforest in Europe has been destroyed. Today, temperate rainforests cover less than 1% of the globe’s surface. As custodians of the island, our mission is to protect this vital environment for future generations by providing space for native flora and fauna to thrive.

FLORA

Our forests are home to some of the world’s rarest lichens, bryophytes, liverworts and fungi. The lichen in particular are rare outside of Scotland and their presence is an indicator of a healthy environment. They are sensitive to pollution and acid rain and can only survive in pristine wild spaces.

In addition to our ancient woodland, former owner of Eilean Shona Captain Swinburne planted a magnificent pinetum around the house during the Victorian era. A handwritten paper titled List of Conifers of 1933 details 40 genera of trees and hundreds of native species on the island. Today, there is an ongoing planting programme in place. Some of the native species found on Eilean Shona include: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), downy birch (Betula pubescens), juniper (Juniperus communis), hazel (Corylus avellana), holly (Ilex aquifolium), European crab apple (Malus sylvestris), common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), alder (Alnus glutinosa), bird cherry (Prunus padus), elder (Sambucus nigra) and Wych elm (Ulmus glabra).

FAUNA

The native woodland expansion has created a haven for wildlife. Eilean Shona is home to some of the most stunning wildlife on the Western Isles with a variety of birds, mammals, butterflies and insects. Birds of prey are commonly seen circling over wooded areas and include white-tailed (sea) eagles, golden eagles and buzzards. One of the largest UK heronries can be found in Loch Moidart, with many grey herons fishing and nesting along our shores. Other birds commonly seen on the island are hooded crows, curlews, oystercatchers, red breasted mergansers, herring gulls and tawny owls. The smaller species of birds include robin, wren, blackbird, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker, cuckoo, chaffinch, great tit, blue tit, coal tit, siskin, willow warbler, whitethroat, wheatear, tree pipit and meadow pipit. Our butterfly species include peacock, green-veined white, speckled wood, painted lady, red admiral and Scotch Argus.

Eilean Shona’s woodlands are home to the native red squirrel and the elusive pine marten, the largest member of the weasel family. Red deer roam freely and are most easily seen in the colder months when they descend from higher slopes to more sheltered ground. Large colonies of common and grey seals and otters are found along our coastline. For the lucky few, dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks can be spotted swimming in the surrounding waters.

CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Respect for the environment is our core principle in how we manage and run the island. We make every effort to be plastic-free and carbon neutral on the island with no cars and plentiful wood supply. All our electricity comes from the hydro-electric power station. Our water supply comes from the hills. We are meticulous with our recycling and use only bio-cleaning products.

In 2011, we fenced in a 600-acre deer-free zone to allow for maximum regeneration, while also planting 120,000 new native trees. The ongoing challenge is to keep the invasive rhododendrons at bay thus allowing native trees, moss, lichen and wildflowers to thrive and creating a rich biodiverse environment. Our conservation plans also include an academic survey of rare lichen, mosses and fungi. In addition, we enlist the help of guests to protect our fragile ecosystem by keeping to the paths.

All profits raised from cottage and house rentals are reinvested into Eilean Shona's continuing conservation projects.