Eilean Sùbhainn

Eilean Sùbhainn is the largest island in Loch Maree, a long freshwater loch in Wester Ross. It lies about one and a half kilometres northeast of Talladale on the mainland. The island covers 118 hectares and reaches thirty-six metres above the loch. Part of it is covered in woodland while the rest is open ground. The island has no permanent residents and is managed as a nature reserve. Several small lochans dot the landscape, adding to the variety of habitats. The reserve is recognised for its important birdlife. Golden eagles and white-tailed eagles nest on the island, making it a key site for raptors in the Highlands. Divers and grebes also breed here, while otters and pine martens live around the shores. Rare plants grow in the damp soils of the lochans and bogs. The mix of woodland, water and open moor attracts many species throughout the year. Visitors walk a network of paths that circle the island and link the lochans. The views across Loch Maree take in the surrounding hills and forests. The quiet shores offer places to sit and watch wildlife without disturbance. The island’s unspoilt state lets people experience a natural landscape unchanged for centuries. Its remoteness and lack of buildings preserve the sense of wilderness.