Eilean Shona House, the striking former hunting lodge on Vanessa Branson's remote private island of the same name, off the west coast of Scotland, has been given a top-to-toe refurbishment for the 2020 season. From rocky shores to sandy beaches, a 1,000ft climb with spectacular views of the Hebridean islands, and the brooding ruins of Tioram Castle, the 1,300 acre island of Eilean Shona is Scotland in miniature.

J. M. Barrie holidayed on Eilean Shona in the summer of 1920 and it was these wild and otherworldly island landscapes that inspired the fictional island of Neverland. It is pure coincidence that 100 years after Barrie's last visit, Vanessa's own book, One Hundred Summers, will be published (21 May 2020, Mensch Publishing, £20). Much of the book, a touching and at times heart-breaking memoir on fortune, fate and passion, was penned by Vanessa from the quiet of car-free Eilean Shona, an island she bought with her then husband 25 years ago.

Nestled in the mouth of Loch Moidart, the island is a wonderful natural haven for wildlife, plants and many rare trees, with 600 acres of woodland and the most diverse pinetum plantations in Europe.  Its pristine landscape has been developed by Vanessa, sister to Richard, into something of a nature reserve. Having taken a rewilding approach, the rare pine marten and red squirrel are among the wildlife that now thrive on the island while, in the waters, seals, dolphins and sea otters can all be seen. It's an exciting place for bird lovers, too, being the nesting spot for sea eagles and so many different songbirds.

On arrival, visitors find themselves turning back the clock to a slower pace of life. When not discovering the network of tempting paths along the coast or through the enchanting moss-covered woodland and heather-carpeted hills, days are filled with wild swimming, kayaking, painting, building camp fires or visiting the glorious white sandy beach at Shoe Bay, the south-western tip of the island. Here, at low tide, it is more reminiscent of the Caribbean than Scotland - albeit with inquisitive seals for company.

One Hundred Summers, to be published on 21 May, is a portrait of a century as it was experienced by Vanessa's family over five generations. It takes the reader on a journey from the dying embers of Edwardian England, through the trauma of two world wars, the hedonism of London in the 1980s, 'Cool Britannia' in the 1990s, and the ups and downs of Vanessa's own marriage, right up to the present day. Spoiler alert: the book ends with a powerful moment, set in Eilean Shona's old Village Hall, in which Vanessa considers herself set free.

EILEAN SHONA HOUSE TRANSFORMED

The jewel in the island's crown, Eilean Shona House combines the style of a luxury boutique hotel with all the warmth of a much-loved family home (sleeping 16 people). New for 2020, the House will come with a cook, sous chef and a housekeeper, and all meals will be provided, giving guests far more time to enjoy the island.

Being a former gallerist on Portobello Road and founder of the Marrakech Biennale, Vanessa's approach to the redecoration of this late Victorian house was to 'start with art'. First, the richly coloured abstract mural in the dining room, painted by the Glaswegian artist Fred Pollock in 1995, was restored. And it was from this bold palette that Vanessa made her design decisions for the rest of the house, whether a grass-green bedroom, an orange bathroom or an ochre drawing room. Also brought in was a host of new contemporary pieces from renowned artist friends, among them prints by Grayson Perry, drawings by William Kentridge and a painting by Dame Paula Rego.

A perfect retreat whatever the season, Eilean Shona House is set up for all manner of occasions including family celebrations, Christmas and New Year parties, executive team-building, well-being weeks or just a happy gathering of friends. The House is kept toasty at all times, partly by the many roaring fires, but also thanks to the woodchip boiler which uses fallen trees as its fuel and provides lashings of hot water for the vast baths.  After days of derring-do, evenings are spent around the huge dining table, in the comfortable drawing room with its grand piano, or in the library where the full-sized billiard table, board games galore and books keep everyone entertained.

Price: Three nights' fully catered rental stay of Eilean Shona House (eileanshona.com, 01967 431249) for 16 people costs £12,000 including breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner but excluding alcohol, and four RIB return transfers to the mainland. Thereafter it costs £2,750 per night. Twice a year, the House hosts an expert-led retreat for writers or artists. Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileanshona .

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Getting there: Eilean Shona is reached either by air or rail from Glasgow which is a three hour drive through the Highlands to Dorlin Pier, where the island boat will pick guests up for the five minute crossing. A quad and trailer transports guests' luggage and provisions to/from the House on arrival and departure. Alternatively arrive by sleeper to Fort William which is an hour's drive away.
2. Vanessa Branson is an entrepreneur and the founder of the Marrakech Biennale. Between 1986 and 1991 she founded and ran the Vanessa Devereux Gallery on London's Portobello Road. She owns and runs Eilean Shona, and co-owns El Fenn, a landmark hotel in Marrakech. In October 2014, she was awarded the royal distinction of Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite for her contributions to Moroccan arts and culture. She is a trustee of the British Moroccan Society, the Leila Alaoui Foundation, Virgin Unite and the Global Diversity Foundation. Contact JSPR below for interviews.

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