Scotland

Step from the little boat on to Eilean

Shona and you feel as if you are in a storybook. It's fitting, as this speck floating in Loch Moidart on Scotland's west coast was where JM Barrie spent Summer 1920, writing the script for Peter Pan. He was accompanied by Michael, his foster son and inspiration for the boy who never grew old (tragically Michael drowned in the Thames a year later so his vision came true).

It's easy to explore this car-free, ecofriendly, Neverland-in-miniature. Tramp through woods filled with pine trees, encountering Red Squirrels, Red Deer, Pine Martens and Otters. A circumnavigation of around 10 miles can easily while away a morning or longer. Then, picnic on a white sand beach and swim in turquoise seas (which could be in the Caribbean but for the Arctic temperatures) watching out for Minke Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks.

Celebs love the away-from-it-all feeling on Eilean Shona. So does Sir Richard Branson – his sister Vanessa is guardian of the whole island!