The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reported to have spent part of their summer holiday on Tanera Mor, a remote Scottish island known for its cinematic past. The island, located off the northwest coast of Scotland, is the largest in the Summer Isles archipelago and is now accessible only by invitation.
Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, are believed to have accepted an invitation from the island's owner, billionaire hedge fund co-founder Ian Wace, who purchased the 800-acre property in 2017. This visit marked the couple's first time in the UK in four years, bringing along their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
Tanera Mor, whose name translates to 'Great harbour island' in Old Norse and Scottish Gaelic, was once accessible to tourists who could rent holiday homes and utilize limited public facilities like a cafe and post office. Access was typically via boat from nearby Achiltibuie or Ullapool. The island offers rugged coastlines, including Mol Mòr Bay, and a central hill, Meall Mòr.
Cinematic and Literary Links
The island is thought to have inspired Summerisle, the fictional setting for the 1973 cult folk horror film "The Wicker Man." The movie, starring Edward Woodward and Britt Ekland, was based on David Pinner's 1967 novel "Ritual." It depicts a police officer investigating a missing girl on an isolated island inhabited by Celtic pagans.
Ecologist Sir Frank Fraser Darling also resided on Tanera Mor during World War II, documenting his experiences in the books "Island Years" and "Island Farm."
The Tanera Project
Currently, Tanera Mor is undergoing restoration and regeneration efforts through "The Tanera Project," an initiative spearheaded by Ian Wace. The island's inhabitants are described as staff, contractors, volunteers, and academic collaborators. Partner charities are granted visits, and volunteer opportunities are available for various projects, from gardening to path construction. "Private groups whose ethos and intentions are sympathetic to the project’s purpose" also form a category of visitors.
Ian Wace, a philanthropist, has known Prince Harry and Prince William for years. Wace's ex-wife, Saffron Aldridge, reportedly bonded with Meghan after she moved to Britain. The Waces divorced in 2023 but have maintained their friendship.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess declined to comment on the visit, as did a spokesperson for Mr. Wace.