FAR AND AWAY

A converted schoolhouse on a Scottish island is the perfect antidote to busy modern life for Vanessa Branson and her family

This secluded schoolhouse in Argyll has become a favourite family playground

Mystery surrounds the reason why a 19th-century Scottish landowner decided to build his schoolhouse in such a remote spot. Its secluded location on the quiet island of Eilean Shona would have demanded a substantial hike for any of the crofters’ children. Today, getting to the Old Schoolhouse, converted into a characterful home by Vanessa Branson, remains an adventure but the rewards are many, including the mesmerising views over the sea loch and the rugged peaks beyond.

When Vanessa bought the island back in 1995, her first task was to update the ‘big house’ followed by the careful restoration of another seven cottages, which are used for holiday lets as well as family gatherings. She then turned her attention to the schoolhouse, which was edging towards falling apart. ‘It had been derelict for a while,’ says Vanessa. ‘But then it became quite dangerous and the roof started to fall in, so we decided that we needed to do something. However, we didn’t want to over-complicate things – it had to be a light touch.’

The remoteness of the island makes any project a challenge, with everything brought across Loch Moidart from the mainland by boat, and the house itself accessible only from the water or along a track. So, it is no surprise that the job took a year to complete, including new

roof, windows and insulation. Being off grid, the house relies on gas lighting, water from the island’s own reservoir and hot water from one of two woodburners. As for the interior, Vanessa aimed for Shaker-style simplicity to suit the character of the original building and its location.

Downstairs, the porch, classroom and sitting room were combined to create one free-flowing space, with your eye constantly drawn to the views framed by the large windows. The floors are timber, and the walls and ceilings are covered in clapboard. At the other end of the open-plan room, the cosy seating area is arranged around a woodburner, with furniture found by Vanessa in antiques shops in Bath and rugs brought back from Marrakech creating a homely blend of new and old.

The house is well loved by the family, particularly Vanessa’s artist daughter Florence, who has spent many weeks here enjoying the solitude. As well as being used for holiday lets, the house is also a key component to large family gatherings that happen regularly on Eilean Shona or brother Richard’s island of Necker. ‘It is a little bit like being in an Enid Blyton novel and brings out the child in all of us,’ says Vanessa. ‘But I also love the sense of peace and the quality of the light. There’s a little tree that I can see from the window, clinging on to a rock and defying nature, which I love. It really is an amazing spot.’

EXTERIOR Accessible via a winding track, or by boat, the converted Victorian schoolhouse sits in a natural bowl in the landscape.

SITTING ROOM The beaded sculptures, found in Marrakech, add a shock of colour to the mantelpiece, while Beni Ourain Berber rugs bring warmth underfoot. Rugs sold by City Cows, from £500, would work here. Bagsie leather sofa, from £2,845, Loaf. The slipper chair is antique

TWIN BEDROOM Skylights facing front and back allow plenty of sunlight to flood in. As the house is off-grid, all the rooms are lit by gas lights. Andrew Martin has a good selection of similar ikat cushions. Gas lights, price on request, Sugg Lighting

BATHROOM The arched window offers sublime views of the sea loch from the bath. The Buckingham cast-iron bath, from £1,315, Heritage Bathrooms is a match. The Old Schoolhouse can be rented, from £1,350 a week, eileanshona.com