Private islands and Scottish art
“For some reason from about my early twenties I was obsessed with buying a Scottish island and it had to be both of these things – it had to be Scottish and it had to be an island.” We can all relate to that, one way or another, I think. The above quote is from Robert Devereux, owner of a private island just off the coast of North West Scotland, whose story, and home, feature in this article in The Scotsman.
Image: Liam Jones
Why am I bringing this up, you may ask? Am I just sitting here googling ‘islands for sale scotland’ or something? Well, yes, that does form a large part of my daily routine, but also I’m off to stay on this particular island soon. I’ve booked a week away in a little cottage looking over the sea, with no leccy – just how I like it. Unlike the bothy, however, this place has not only a bathroom but also a bed. As I’m hoping about 68% of the holiday will be spent asleep this seemed like a minimum requirement.
The island has a few little holiday cottages on it, and also a main house, which has been decorated by the Devereux’s. As chairman of the Frieze Art Fair he certainly has an eye, and has commissioned work from Fred Pollock, Margaret Hunter and Precious McBain. I have also found out, which I had no idea of when I booked the thing, that in the 1920s the whole island was rented out by JM Barrie, and was where he wrote the screenplay for a film adaptation of Peter Pan. I’m hoping to come back having written a classic which also makes me look slightly creepy, so that’s good. Check out the full feature for lots of interesting information, not least how ones builds and furnishes a big project on a tiny island (clue – everything has to come in on a boat.) See more of the island here.
Looks wonderful but will there be midges or aren’t you going at that time of year?
hopefully it’s a bit early in the season – I think the blighters come out around mid-May. Fingers crossed!
Nice quote! Such a lovely place, it will be great to own a private island.
we could all club together maybe…? My Friend’s Island?