The tiny library in the woods on a Scottish island that 'touches the soul'

A library like no other can be found among the trees at Kildonan on the Isle of Arran.

A tiny library found deep in a forest on a Scottish island has been described as a “place which touches your soul” by its creator.

The library, which was built using 300 trees blown down in a storm, was created by Albert Holmes, 63.

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He owns 400 acres of forest at Kildonan on the Isle of Arran and first started building the library with a friend more than 20 years ago.

Today, the library attracts some 50,000 visitors a year, with books and messages left by those who drop by. An amphitheatre, waterfall and coffee shops can also be found among the trees.

Inside the library, where hundreds of messages, poems and drawings have been left by visitors from all over the world.Inside the library, where hundreds of messages, poems and drawings have been left by visitors from all over the world.
Inside the library, where hundreds of messages, poems and drawings have been left by visitors from all over the world. | Eas Mor Ecology

Mr Holmes, a founder of the Eas Mor Ecology Group, said: “We built the library to teach people about ecology and the woods and we left paper and pencils in there for a rainy day. Now the messages and pictures hanging on the wall are about 25 layers deep.”

Mr Holmes said people had left messages in the library from all over the world.

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“There are pictures, poems and people have left memorials for their loved ones too,” he said. “It is amazing. There is an energy in there. People have left happy things in the library and sad things there. It is a place that touches your soul.”

Mr Holmes said social media had pushed the profile and popularity of the library. He said: “It is getting bigger now. I liked it when it was a secret place.

“The interest we get is unbelievable. We have had social media influencers here who got around 5.5 million views on the library. People haven’t heard of Arran, but they have heard of Eas Mor Ecology.”

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Mr Holmes lives in a caravan in the woods and has become so immersed in the forest that trees are now growing into his home.

“I’ve got a bungee cord keeping the door closed, but the forest comes in all the time,” he said. “This forest is my dream and it is a privilege to be part of it.”

The library was originally built to educate people about the forest and ecology with the once "secret" retreat now becoming hugely popular. PIC: Eas Mor Ecology.The library was originally built to educate people about the forest and ecology with the once "secret" retreat now becoming hugely popular. PIC: Eas Mor Ecology.
The library was originally built to educate people about the forest and ecology with the once "secret" retreat now becoming hugely popular. PIC: Eas Mor Ecology. | Eas Mor Ecology

One recent visitor described the library on social media as “some kind of wonderful”.

The visitor said: “It is beautiful inside - every inch of wall space is covered with drawings, poems and messages from all the visitors. It is a wonderful place.”

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