Island Life

Island Life

Eilean Shona is a car-free wilderness haven. There are no roads on Eilean Shona and cottage guests leave their cars in a safe parking area just behind our pier on the mainland near the ruin of Castle Tioram. You will be greeted by the team at Dorlin Pier and the boat journey across Loch Moidart to the Eilean Shona pontoon takes 15 minutes. There your luggage is put on the quad trailer and you are given directions to walk to your cottage.

For the rest of the week you are left in peace. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with the wilder world and fill your days with outdoor adventures. Other than going off island and the odd encounter on a walk, you will meet very few other people during your stay.

All of our cottages are self-catered, but our very own Island Shop stocks essentials alongside some tempting treats. Beyond staples such as wine, homemade bread, butter, milk, we also provide wonderful frozen homemade fish pies and venison casseroles. Everything can be pre-ordered and will be delivered to your cottage prior to your arrival. Shopping at  our online store helps not only to reduce the amount of baggage you need to lug on to the island but you also help reduce the vast quantities of packaging waste that then has to be taken off the island again.  Details and link to our online store will be provided following booking confirmation.

Eilean Shona village shop

Eilean Shona Village Shop

On Eilean Shona, we have three passions: the environment, great service and fantastic produce. That’s why stocking good quality provisions for our guests is paramount. We have made a conscious effort to expand our range and team up with local and eco-friendly businesses akin to our island’s ethos. Our online store and shop provide an array of tempting items and essentials for your stay with us, from artisan Scottish Cheese to organic European wines.  To reduce packaging waste, each cottage has refillable canisters for Little Shop essentials, like coffee, rice, pasta and oats. The link to online provisioning will be sent to our guests on booking.

Be sure to pop in to us in person to have a look at our gifts and souvenirs, as well as a marvellous selection of books from our writing retreat authors and our very own Vanessa Branson’s 'One Hundred Summers' to immerse yourself in while on the island. Opening times for our wee shop and café are 11am - midday Monday to Thursday. 

Eilean Shona social hub

The Village Hall is Eilean Shona’s social hub — with its weekly pub night, Wi-Fi, table tennis, wildlife reference books and board games. Pub night is on Tuesday evening from 6-8pm, all are welcome to join us in the Village Hall for a beer or a cocktail in front of a roaring fire. There is also an artist's studio available for hire for creative folk who want additional space to create.

Eilean Shona landing jetty
Eilean Shona sauna

The Sauna

The historic fishing hut has been transformed into a gorgeous wood fired sauna. It’s just a few steps away from our pontoon where you can take the plunge. After an invigorating wild swim, step into the steamy heat to unwind, soothe your muscles, and take in stunning views across the loch. The unique combination of hot and cold therapy not only relaxes the body but also rejuvenates the mind.

Gallery

45+ photos
2 Hike M Turek copy 2
ISLAND LIFE GALLERY ES beach bbq K Borkowski
© K Borkowski
3 Shoe Bay sundowner2 M Turek copy
7 Shoe bay kayak N Rocknroll copy
4 2018 Castle Tioram and paddle boarders J Bedford copy
9 Fishing low res N Able Smith
2025 walk B Cox
21 Musical campfire T Bean
1 ES woodland hike R Langlands Pearse copy
6 Paddleboarding low res N Able Smith
ISLAND LIFE GALLERY ES jumping off pier K Borkowski
© K Borkowski
8 2020 rainbow over ES low res N Able Smith
10 Alexander Baxter Eilean Shona Mar23 110
5 am we eileanshona 50 A Mellor
11 Jumping into the loch J Pike copy
12 Swimming loch M Turek copy
13 kids playing in pirate boat in forest VB Aug 23
14 treasure map low res N Able Smith
15 Village hall interior
16 Village hall painting T Bean
17 Seal B Cox
18 deer in bracken low res
19 kids bbq shoe bay VB Aug 23
20 2018 mussels2 J Bedford copy
22 campfire low res N Able Smith
23 Woodland outdoor fire2 B Cox copy
2025 summit B Cox
2025 summit wave B Cox
2025 summit Eilean Shona February Exterior Images Web 19 B Cox
2025 sauna outside shower B Holder
2025 sauna interior Whats App Image 2025 05 13 at 09 33 07 H Radcliffe
2025 sauna int B Holder
2025 sauna ext B Holder
2025 little shop cafe
2025 food tomato plate B Cox
2025 food Oyster prep Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 54 B Cox
2025 food prep oyster Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 57 B Cox
2025 food detail ESH breakfast Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 19 B Cox
2025 food detail ESH breakfast Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 10 B Cox
2025 chef ESH Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 32 B Cox
2025 chef Eilean Shona February Food Images Web 56 B Cox
2025 Castle Tioram ES Castle Tioram B Cox
2024 Flo and Shim wedding pontoon piggyback J Smith copy
2024 flo and shim wedding beach picnic J Smith
2024 Flo and Shim wedding Arean J Smith
ISLAND LIFE GALLERY ES Shoe Bay K Borkowski
© K Borkowski
ISLAND LIFE GALLERY ES boat arrival K Borkowski
© K Borkowski
ISLAND LIFE GALLERY ES beach bonfire K Borkowski
© K Borkowski