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AS the car turned, there it was – a towering island next to an isolated and ruined castle, emerging from the water – it truly was a real-life Neverland.

Located in the Inner Hebrides in Scotland is a tiny island with a population of just nine people.

Known as Eilean Shona, this tidal island is completely car-free and was the inspiration behind J.M Barrie’s creation of Neverland in Peter Pan.

As my boat approached the shores of the island, it was obvious why.

Towering green trees and serene still waters were both welcoming and peaceful.

Once I reached the island, the soft soil, earthy smells, chimes of birds and light breaking through the trees made it feel magical.

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The island is littered with a number of houses and cabins for visitors to stay in – for my stay, I was in the main manor house.

Stepping inside, I found myself in a Traitors-like castle, decked out with tartan features, roaring fireplaces and cosy corners with well-read books.

The feeling of being somewhere else continued when I found my room – a plush bed stood proud in the centre, and old-style windows looked out onto fresh green grass just as if I was in my own magical bubble.

The main house sleeps up to 18 people and inside has a number of spaces including nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a dining room, library with a full-size billiards table, a drawing room, and a large kitchen.

Guests can either book the house as catered or self-catered, and for prices, you will need to contact the island (though split between 18 people it wouldn’t work out too expensive per night).

Whilst there isn’t much to do on the island, it is the perfect retreat away from the modern world and the stresses of day to day life.

Thanks to there being no shops, no restaurants and patchy phone signal, it really helps you disconnect from your mobile (and consequently social media).

This particularly hit me when I ran a bath, and the water ran yellow-brown.

Initially, I was disgusted, thinking it was dirt, and reached for my phone to do a quick Google search.

But I stopped myself.

Instead, I embraced it and later asked one of my hosts why it was that colour.

Turns out the water is in fact so clean – cleaner than most places in the UK – and the colour comes from the peat found in the surrounding landscape.

I was told it is perfectly safe to drink and bathe in, and in fact carries minerals that are good for you.

One of the activities to do on the island that is well worth experiencing, though, is taking a cold water plunge or swim – the scenery is stunning and the water is serenely calm.

Heading off the pier, I floated for a few minutes in the water, taking in the smell of the fresh, earthy air and noting the silence around me.

For those who aren’t too fond of a cold dip or want to warm up quickly afterwards, there is also a sauna near the water’s edge.

During the evening, I headed to the Village Hall, which is the island’s social hub.

Here you can enjoy a weekly pub night, table tennis, wildlife books and board games.

After enjoying my dinner, I snuggled up to the fire cocktail made from a Sapling Spirits – a climate-positive vodka brand that first started on the island.

For each bottle sold, the brand plants a tree, something I even got to do with my own tree sapling – perhaps it will be used by the Lost Boys to find their way home.

Obviously, the island has an endless amount of walks you can take, and a couple of mine included heading to the summit and to the opposite side of the island where I found Shoe Bay, with a white sand beach and crystal clear waters.

For guests who want to venture around the island’s shores, there are kayaks, canoes and paddleboards available for hire.

And whilst exploring the island, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as birds of prey often circle overhead.

In less than 24 hours I had completely fallen in love with the island.

It really did feel like Neverland for adults wanting to escape the modern world and I cannot wait to go back.

There are a few ways to get to the island, including via the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William.

From there, Eilean Shona is about an hour’s drive or in a taxi.

Alternatively, you could fly to Glasgow Airport, then hire a car and make the three-hour trip to Eilean Shona.

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For more hidden UK islands, here are the best in the UK, and they look more like the Caribbean and Maldives.

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Brenda Blethyn stars in the upcoming drama film Dragonfly, which has been described as “shocking” and “violent” by critics

The latest trailer for Brenda Blethyn‘s “shocking” drama Dragonfly has just dropped and it’s already proving a massive hit with audiences after scoring 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film also features Andrea Riseborough and Jason Watkins, with the storyline centring around Coleen (Riseborough) who becomes horrified by the treatment her elderly neighbour Elsie (Blethyn) is enduring, prompting her to volunteer her assistance without charge.

Nevertheless, the synopsis suggests that Colleen’s motives might not be quite what they seem. As suspicions mount, a devastating incident triggers a brutal chain of events that could irreversibly transform both women’s existence.

The trailer opens with Elsie recognising that looking after someone is “a lot of hard work” after Colleen volunteers her assistance. Colleen insists that it’s what neighbours are “supposed to do”, but the trailer swiftly shifts into darker territory as Elsie looks petrified by a telephone ringing in her house, and Colleen’s true intentions come under scrutiny from Elsie’s son (Watkins).

“I’ve been hurting all my life, Elsie, to be honest,” Colleen confesses, as we witness her menacingly observing Elsie through a glass panel in her front door, reports Chronicle Live.

Following its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, Dragonfly currently boasts a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In our critique, we called the film “a powerful and compelling drama that explores those that society shuns, building to an ending you won’t forget”.

The Hollywood Reporter penned: “Is this tonal swerve a little gimmicky? Probably, and the film will not be to everyone’s taste. But it is a skillfully rendered exercise in terror.”

ScreenAnarchy remarked: “While cinema in general still tends to romanticise loneliness, Dragonfly shows it for what it is: a routine series of everyday, excruciating experiences that always build up to something that tends to be horrific, more often than not.”

The Guardian lauded it as “a stark, fierce, wonderfully acted film”, while Culture Mix observed: “Dragonfly isn’t just a ‘slow burn’ psychological drama.

“This well-acted movie about two lonely people and home caregiving takes an extreme turn in the last 20 minutes to a shocking ending that’s sure to be divisive.”

Last year, Blethyn spoke candidly about securing the role in the film after wrapping up Vera, reminiscing at the British Film Institute: “I was home, I hadn’t even unpacked my bag, and my agent called me and said, ‘Oh, you’ve been offered a film.’ I said, ‘I don’t want to do a film. I haven’t unpacked yet.'”.

“She said, ‘Oh, it is with Andrea Riseborough.’ I said, ‘Oh, is it?’ And she said, ‘And it starts next week because somebody had dropped out and it’s written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams.'”.

“I said, ‘Oh, well, I better have a little read of it just to… but no, I’m not doing it, but I’ll have a read of it.’ And I liked it, so I did it.”

Dragonfly premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025. A cinema release date is yet to be announced

EMINEM’S reclusive ex-wife Kim Mathers showcased a new look after dying her hair pink as she stepped out near her home in Michigan.

Kim, 50, who had long blonde locks in the past, is seen in The U.S Sun’s exclusive photos with a cropped ‘do.

The rap superstar’s former wife, who has four children, is now heavily tattooed with sleeve designs down both of her arms after adopting a rocker look in recent years.

Her elaborate inkings include the word Artemis down her right arm, referencing the Greek goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and wilderness scenes.

Kim also has other dark inkings on her left arm and on her neck, many of which have an Alice in Wonderland theme, as she previously revealed she is a fan of the Lewis Carroll story.

She appeared in good health after a previous addiction battle and was seen smiling while wearing a black t-shirt with a colorful Nirvana design emblazoned on the front.

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Kim matched her cut-up tee with a pair of light jogging bottoms and a pair of black shades.

In 2023, she revealed to The U.S. Sun that she was clean and sober after undergoing a 45-day rehab stint after she was left heartbroken by the death of her beloved mom, Kathy Sluck.

Audio from a 911 call in July 2022 revealed one of Kim’s children found her “surrounded by blood and pills on her bathroom floor,” as she struggled to cope with her grief.

They broke the handle on the door and called for help, as desperate Kim begged them not to call the police after reportedly leaving notes for her family.

The mom-of-four was rushed to the hospital before being discharged, and later sought treatment for addiction at a center in Detroit, Michigan.

HEALTH BATTLE

A year later, she told The U.S. Sun: “It’s been hard, I lost my mom, my dad, and my sister [over the past 10 years].

“[But] I’m good. I’ve been clean since about October. I went to Jefferson House … for 45 days.”

Kim revealed she had previously been taking pills to try and sleep as she struggled with the loss, and her children had been “very supportive,” amid her mental health scare.

Despite her past drama with ex Eminem, real name Marshall Mathers, she added that he had also been checking in with her to make sure she was getting better.

Asked how often she sees the rapper, she joked: “Not often, but often enough.”

The two wed in 1999 but divorced in 2001.

Despite reconciling and marrying a second time in 2006, the union did not work out.

The pair have a daughter, Hailie Jade, 29, along with an adopted daughter, Alaina, 32, with Eminem.

Alaina’s mother, Dawn, who was Kim’s sister, died of a drug overdose in 2016 after years of addiction problems.

Kim is also mom to Stevie Laine, 22, who identifies as non-binary, and was also raised by the rapper, 52.

In recent years, she has been living with her rarely-seen son, Parker, who is believed to be in his teens.

Both Stevie and Parker are from different relationships since her divorce from the superstar.

BABY JOY

Following her health issues, Kim and Marshall reunited for Hailie’s wedding to her long-term partner, Evan McClintock.

Hailie and Evan then welcomed a baby, Kim and Marshall’s first grandchild, Elliot, in March this year.

Kim’s upbeat appearance this month comes as her adopted daughter, Alaina Scott, announced she is pregnant with her first child with her husband, Matt Moeller, whom she married in 2023.

Alaina shared the news on Instagram, as she attached a photograph of her surprising her spouse.

“THE BEST OF YOU + ME,” she wrote in October. “For months, I’ve carried a tiny heartbeat inside me, one that has already changed mine in every possible way.“

She continued, “There’s something indescribable about knowing there’s a little life growing, dreaming, and becoming, all while you go about your day, whispering prayers and hopes only they can hear.”

Alaina added, “I’ve never felt more grateful for this gift and to grow our family, something we’ve wanted for so long.

“Thank you God for this blessing. Baby M, we can’t wait to meet you, little one.”

Alaina shared a slew of photos of her surprising Matt with the news.

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She can be seen leading him blindfolded into a room with gold balloons spelling out the words “BABY M”.

Matt then took the blindfold off and was presented with a shoebox with a pair of baby Nike sneakers inside and a positive pregnancy test.

A NORMAL-looking terraced home has hit the market for £140,000 – but it hides a “satanic” secret.

The two-bedroom house went viral on TikTok after Ashleigh Anderson, 33, shared its unique decor with the world.

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The tattoo enthusiast bought the property in Barrhead, Scotland in 2022 and spent three years turning it into her dream home.

With its brick walls and manicured lawn, the house appears like a regular terraced home from the outside.

But inside lies a Goth’s paradise – fit with jet black cabinets and radiators, as well as signature Halloween-inspired artwork.

Ashleigh said her living room was inspired by a tattoo studio.

To achieve this particular look, she adorned the walls with a number of eclectic decorations.

The house features spooky sculptures and a large neon sign that covers part of the ink-coloured wall.

Eerie statues form the base of a glass-mounted coffee table, while dark sofa cushions are emblazoned with bold exaggerated eyes.

Meanwhile, two mannequin tattoo-covered legs poke out from either end of the sofa.

Continuing the gothic theme, skulls appear dotted around the room, alongside a zebra head taking pride of place by the steps.

Now on the market for £140,000, with Kelly Residential, the property has gained widespread acclaim for its “unexpected character”.

The listing reads: “This two-bedroom semi-detached property may appear understated from the outside, but step inside and you’ll discover a striking interior with a bold, gothic-inspired design.

“The front door opens into a spacious living room, where dark hardwood flooring, dramatic black walls, gothic artwork, and a distinctive tartan media wall create a stylish and memorable space.

“To the rear, the generous kitchen continues the contemporary feel with high-gloss black cabinets, integrated appliances, and ample worktop space, offering both flair and functionality.

“Upstairs, the main bedroom is large and finished with a neutral feature wall and built-in mirrored wardrobes.

“The second bedroom, currently arranged as a dressing room, offers ample space to serve as a comfortable double bedroom or versatile home office.

“Combining a bold interior aesthetic with practical modern living, this home is ideal for buyers seeking something truly distinctive.”

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek says he “completely forgot” about playing for England and was “just a fan” during his near seven-year absence from the national team.

Loftus-Cheek’s last appearance for the Three Lions came in a friendly against the United States in November 2018 after he had been part of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad that reached the semi-finals in Russia the same year.

The 29-year-old midfielder ruptured his Achilles in 2019 playing for Chelsea in a friendly in the USA before the Europa League final, and subsequently dropped out of the England reckoning.

He joined AC Milan in 2023 and has made 71 appearances for the Rossoneri in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering three assists.

“When I ruptured my Achilles, I was on such a high [before it happened], so after that I had a hard time mentally,” said Loftus-Cheek.

“But I was still young, I still had time to come back, so I wasn’t too low.”

He added he had “got used” to not joining up with England because he had been away for so long.

“You still want to push in club football with the hope of maybe getting a sniff,” he said.

“But I just completely forgot about it and was being a fan of the team instead.”

Loftus-Cheek said it took about two years for him to feel himself again after the injury.

“If you have got good people around you it is going to help you so much, but the main thing comes from your self drive,” he said of his recovery.

“That belief, to overcome challenges, is paramount in sport and in life – that you have this mentality in overcoming challenges.”

A European Union spokesperson said Israel’s attack on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, which killed journalists and rescuers, was ‘completely unacceptable,’ and urged the protection of civilians and journalists under international law.

Fox News has never been bothered by the Trumpian approach to social media, with its all-caps posts and multiple exclamation points. Its self-aggrandizing hyperbole. Its mean-girl name-calling. But this week, the MAGA network’s hosts were triggered.

“You have to stop it with the Twitter thing,” said host Dana Perino. Sean Hannity bemoaned the “performative confrontational style” that only “wins you points with the loony radical base.” Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher referred to the tone as “childish.”

So why the sudden dismay and hurt feelings? Because the taunts and boasts are coming from a Democrat, and not just any lefty but King Snowflake himself, California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Adopting Trump’s low-bar social media tactics, the X account of Newsom’s press office has spent recent weeks mimicking the president’s social media style to troll the trollers. They’ve nicknamed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem “Commander Cosplay.” And Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) — who took that sunny Mexican vacation during a deadly 2021 winter storm in his state — is “Cancun Cruz.” As for the commander-in-chief? “Small Hands.”

Playing off the doctored images of a virile Trump posted by the president’s account on his own platform, Newsom’s account has generated equally delusional memes. One shows the governor’s face carved into Mt. Rushmore, another of him as a king on the cover of Time magazine and as a messiah-like figure worshiped by MAGAites Tucker Carlson, Kid Rock and the late Hulk Hogan (the latter post was followed by another that just read “I HATE KID ROCK!!! – GCN”).

This week on Fox News’ “The Five,” an incredulous Perino said of Newsom: “I don’t know where his wife is? If I were his wife I would say, ‘You’re making a fool of yourself, stop it!’”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in a discussion Wednesday with Fox’s Jesse Watters, said that Newsom’s obsession with Trump is distracting him from doing his job as governor. “Why is he spending all this time trying to be fresh with President Trump?” DeSantis asked. “Why doesn’t he do his job and protect the people?”

“Fresh” with Trump? I don’t even know where to go with that other than therapy, especially since it was accompanied by a banner at the bottom of the screen that read: “Dems look for Big Daddy Energy.”

Newsom’s account promptly tweeted: “Jesse, please stop calling me Daddy. It’s disturbing.”

Fox keeps insisting Newsom’s SnarkPosting is a big fail, but the numbers would suggest otherwise. Since the beginning of August, the governor’s press office account has gained 250,000 followers and more than 225 million impressions.

And it’s clearly made an impression on Fox News.

“WOW! FOX NEWS CAN’T STOP TALKING ABOUT ME (GAVIN C. NEWSOM), AMERICA’S FAVORITE GOVERNOR!!!” Newsom posted Wednesday on X. “TONIGHT THEIR ENTIRE PRIMETIME LINEUP WAS ABOUT ME! JESSE WATTERS KEPT CALLING ME ‘DADDY’ (VERY WEIRD, NOT INTERESTED, BUT THANK YOU!). SEAN HANNITY (VERY NICE GUY) NEARLY CRIED BECAUSE I WON’T TAKE HIS ‘ADVICE.’ SORRY SEAN!!!! THEN THEY DRAGGED OUT THE B-TEAM OF DUMB DUMBS: ‘MEATBALL RON,’ TOMI ‘TOILET’ LAHREN, AND TEDDY ‘CANCUN’ CRUZ (HE EVEN FLEW BACK SPECIAL FROM MEXICO!) ALL WHINING ABOUT ME, GCN! THEY HAD TO ‘PLAY THE MUSIC’ TO SHUT TED UP ABOUT MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR (I GET IT! SO JEALOUS!). TOTAL DISASTER…”

Even the granddaddy of MAGA agitators, Steve Bannon, was impressed by Newsom’s online lack of decorum. “If you look at the Democratic Party, he’s at least getting up there, and he’s trying to imitate a Trumpian vision of fighting, right?” he told Politico. “He looks like the only person in the Democratic Party who is organizing a fight that they feel they can win.”

Fox pundits spent much of Thursday blaming Newsom and the “Sanctuary state of California” for a deadly Florida traffic accident involving an undocumented truck driver. It was preferable to reporting on another post that got under their skin (see below) or a political victory for Newsom when a ballot measure he pushed to redraw California’s electoral map was approved by the California Legislature. It calls for a November special election asking voters to redraw the state’s electoral lines. The ballot measure is in response to Texas’ proposed redrawing of its maps to favor Republicans in the 2026 midterms, possibly adding five more GOP-held seats to the House.

“NOT EVEN JD ‘JUST DANCE’ VANCE CAN SAVE TRUMP FROM THE DISASTROUS MAPS ‘WAR’ HE HAS STARTED,” said the Newsom press office post. “NOT EVEN HIS EYELINER LINES LOOK AS PRETTY AS CALIFORNIA ‘MAP’ LINES. HE WILL FAIL, AS HE ALWAYS DOES (SAD!) AND I, THE PEACETIME GOVERNOR — OUR NATION’S FAVORITE — WILL SAVE AMERICA ONCE AGAIN. MANY ARE NOW CALLING ME GAVIN CHRISTOPHER ‘COLUMBUS’ NEWSOM (BECAUSE OF THE MAPS!). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. — GCN”

Fox pundits and hosts aren’t the only media folk to find Newsom’s Trump-esque communiques troubling. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough called them “embarrassing.”

But as Newsom told the media last week, if the mockery bothers you, look to the original source. “If you have issues with what I’m putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what he’s putting out as president.” Fox News has concerns, but they’re not about Trump.