72 ELLE DECOR
A view of the island’s
original Victorian
schoolhouse, which
was restored and
renovated in 2015.In the former
schoolhouse,
now a guest
cottage, the rug,
ikat cushion,
and throw were
all purchased in
Marrakech.The bedroom in the
Shepherd’s Cottage
features a vintage
chair from Loaf,
a Berber rug from
Marrakech, and
original paneling.the continuing success of El Fenn, Branson decided to
open up Eilean Shona to paying guests. (One can either
rent the whole island, just the main house, or one of the
individual cottages.) One of the first reservations came
from the actress Frances McDormand and her husband,
the director Joel Coen, who, it turns out, are fans of Alex-
ander Ross, the architect who designed the island’s old
schoolhouse, along with Inverness Cathedral.
At the time, the schoolhouse hadn’t been used for
almost a century and was more of a folly than a guest-
house. “We used it as a picnic destination,” Branson
says. “The roof was half falling in, and we would start
a roaring fire and share the space with nesting birds.”
McDormand and Coen’s impending visit motivated
Branson to restore the two-story building, adding gas
lamps, a Victorian roll-top tub with a view of the sea,
and an outdoor shower.
Last spring Branson refocused on the main house,
restoring the faded Pollock mural and bringing in dozens
of new artworks, including several charcoal drawings
by William Kentridge. South African artist Beezy Bai-
ley was commissioned to gather driftwood on the island;
the resulting Tinker Bell–inspired sculpture now hangs
over the sitting room fireplace. Meanwhile, the palette
got even bolder: “Good art sings out with a strong color
behind it,” she says. “The main house is really meant to be
a party house, a place to celebrate with friends and family.
I didn’t want things to get too perfect and fussy.” ◾