The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, along with their children Archie and Lilibet, spent two days on the private island of Tanera Mor during their recent visit to Britain. The secluded island, part of the Inner Hebrides in north-west Scotland, is known as the largest of the Summer Isles and has gained attention both for its natural beauty and its connection to the British horror film The Wicker Man.
The family’s visit reportedly took place on July 8, a day after Harry lost a High Court privacy case against the publishers of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. During their stay, they are believed to have enjoyed the island’s expansive landscapes, wildlife including otters and seals, and sandy bays. They also reportedly took a boat trip along the coast aboard a vintage Clyde puffer named Rita.
Tanera Mor is owned by hedge-fund manager Ian Wace, who acquired the 800-acre island nine years ago for £1.7 million. Since the purchase, Wace has invested heavily in developing the island into a luxury retreat, with expenditures reportedly reaching up to £100 million. The improvements include planting around 100,000 trees, restoring a dozen properties, reviving traditional skills like beekeeping, and constructing three miles of roads. The estate is designed to accommodate up to 60 guests and operates under strict environmental guidelines, with a strong emphasis on privacy.
Locals say that Wace, a known donor to the Conservative Party, takes extensive measures to protect visitors’ confidentiality. Staff working on conservation projects leave the island prior to the arrival of high-profile guests and return only after they depart. Access to Tanera Mor is tightly controlled, with entry limited to jetties owned by Wace and requiring specific permission.
According to residents of Achiltibuie, the closest mainland village, the Sussexes likely arrived via a fast boat from Ullapool, rather than from Achiltibuie itself. Electric bikes provided for guests are sometimes used by visitors on the mainland. Several locals acknowledged previous visits by the Duke, suggesting both Harry and his brother William have been guests at the island.
Despite these privacy measures, the Duchess of Sussex may have unintentionally revealed the family’s general location. She posted photographs on her personal Instagram account titled "Summer Holiday," including one notable image identified as being taken near Loch Droma on the A835 road, roughly 25 miles from Tanera Mor.
Wace and his former wife, model Saffron Aldridge, have longstanding connections with Harry and Meghan, having accompanied the couple to a Cirque du Soleil performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019. Representatives for Ian Wace did not respond to requests for comment regarding the Sussexes’ stay.