Eilean Bàn, Lochalsh

Infobox Scottish island |


latitude=57.28
longitude=-5.74
GridReference=NG746271
celtic name=Eilean Bàn
norse name=
meaning of name=White Island
area=6 acre
area rank=
highest elevation= m
Population=2
population rank= 88=
main settlement=
island group=Skye
local authority=Highland
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] cite book| author=Haswell-Smith, Hamish| date=2004| title=The Scottish Islands| location=Edinburgh| publisher=Canongate| isbn=1841954543] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] [cite web| url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesC-E.pdf| title=Placenames| author=Iain Mac an Tailleir| publisher=Pàrlamaid na h-Alba| accessdate=2007-07-25]

Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning "White Island") is a six acre island [cite web| url=http://www.eileanban.org/| title=The Eilean Bàn Trust| accessdate=2008-04-13] off the coast of mainland Scotland, between Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye, in Highland.

Eilean Bàn is owned by the Scottish Ministers, but since 1998 has been managed by the Eilean Ban Trust as a wildlife sanctuary. The trust was set up by the local community councils in collaboration with actress Virginia McKenna's Born Free Foundation to preserve local wildlife. [cite web|url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst8936.html| title=Overview of Ban, Eilean | publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| accessdate=2008-04-13] A thriving otter population was the inspiration for author Gavin Maxwell (1914-69) who lived there. Eilean Bàn was also home to John Lister-Kaye, who wrote his book "The White Island" [cite book| author=Lister-Kaye, John| title=The White Island| publisher=Longman| date=1972| isbn=0582109035] about his time there, working for Maxwell.

The lighthouse was built by David and Thomas Stevenson, and the island supports a column of the Skye Bridge.

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