Scottish Islands
Why we love the Scottish Islands
Whether it’s cycling miles of beauty, wild swimming its lakes, stargazing its dark nights, puffin-watching or munching on a local delicacy, the Scottish Islands are packed with opportunities.
There’s the rugged Outer Hebrides, where you’ll find ancient wonders, white sands and some of Britain’s oldest rocks, and the Inner Hebrides, which includes its Skye with inky lochs and black volcanic hills, and Islay for its perfect whisky. Check out nearby Staffa for one of the greatest geological landmarks on earth.
The Isle of Arran boasts knife-ridged scenery carved by ancient glaciers, while those looking for a far-flung adventure should head to Orkney, complete with a Neolithic town that predates Stonehenge.
Discover the incredible Fingal’s Cave
Marvel at the dream-like island of Staffa, complete with the breathtaking Fingal’s Cave. Explore the amazing coastline, where you might see whales, dolphins, basking sharks and eagles. Kayak or snorkel around this uninhabited island – and see its hexagonal columns made from subterranean volcanic eruptions.
Hike the Old Man of Storr
Explore one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks – at 164ft (50 metres) high is the ‘Old Man’ who sits looking out across the stunning landscapes of Loch Leathan and the Sound of Raasay. Created by a massive ancient landslide, it’s now one of the most photographed landscapes in the world.
Discover the whisky of Islay
If you want to whet your appetite with a wee dram of whisky, you’ve come to the right place. Explore the island of Islay which, at only 25 miles (40km) long, boasts no fewer than nine distilleries – with a few more on the horizon. Its peaty soils give it that special taste that makes it among the best whisky in the world. Why not visit them all?
Scottish Islands
The awe-inspiring Scottish Islands, including the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland, are full of character, with friendly communities and an abundance of wildlife.
Escape to the Isle of Skye to discover the magnificent Dunvegan Castle or tour the island of Islay’s eight distilleries for a taste of Scotch whisky – Scotland’s national drink.
Spot whales, otters and seals on a wildlife tour of Shetland, take in Orkney’s impressive Iron Age village, Broch of Gurness, or spy nesting puffins on a boat trip to St Kilda UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the mysterious Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa, or dive for shipwrecks at Scapa Flow.
Fun fact
Fun fact
Scotland has 790 islands, of which 130 are inhabited, with the Shetland Islands being the most northern – this group of islands is around 130 miles (210km) from the Scottish mainland.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Thought to have been erected in 2900 BC, the Calanais Standing Stones, located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, are one of the most complete stone circles in Europe.
The magnificent Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye stands at an impressive 160 ft (48.8 metres), with the giant rock formation accessible via a 2.4-mile (3.8km) hike.
World Heritage Site St. Kilda in the Outer Hebrides is one of the best locations in Britain to watch puffins and other breeding seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.
The Isle of Coll in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides is renowned for stargazing, celebrated each year by the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival in March.
Things to do in the Scottish Islands
Featured things to do
Climb the Old Man of Storr
Climb to one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. The dramatic pinnacle of rock stands out and can be seen for miles around. Reward your climb up here with miles of incredible views.
Learn more about the Old Man of Storr
A day trip to see the puffins
A day trip and hop on a ferry from the Isle of Harris to the dual World Heritage Site of St Kilda offers the delights of puffin watching and an avian community that has been here for more than 4,000 years.
Learn more about St Kilda’s puffins
Explore Arran by 4x4
Explore this glacier-carved island by luxury 4x4. Check out its forests in their autumn colours and rugged coastline. Discover its beaches warmed by the Gulf Stream, take a dip in its cooling corrie lakes and find out about its ecology.
Learn more about the Isle of Arran
Standing Stones of Stenness
During the winter solstice join the spiritual celebrations at the Neolithic Standing Stones of Stenness. While here check out Skara Brae, a well-preserved 5,000-year-old Neolithic village.
Learn more about the Standing Stones of StennessPlaces to stay in the Scottish Islands
The Scottish Islands are home to some of the most dramatic landscapes you can imagine, peppered with ancient monuments, unspoilt beaches and wildlife havens… But with so much choice, how do you narrow down where to stay?
Outer Hebrides
Whether you wake up to the ocean, stay in a secluded cottage or rent a huge designer house, you’ll find it here. Choose from Lewis and Harris in the north or the southern islands of Barra and Uist.
Inner Hebrides
This area includes Skye (the only island connected to the mainland by a bridge) and nearby relaxed neighbour Raasay, where you can stay at a distillery. The largest of the islands is Mull, where you can choose scenic Tobermory for special coastal views or the south if you want to get away from it all.
The Isle of Arran
The majority of the villages here are on the east coast, near Brodick and Lamlash, and these have the most amenities. In the south you’ll find Whiting Bay and fantastic seafood; Corrie is one of the prettiest of its villages, with stone cottages and a harbour.
Explore nearby
Getting to the Scottish Islands
There are daily flights to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. There are also three ferry points of entry when travelling from the mainland. Several daily flights also run from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Shetland, as well as ferries between Aberdeen and the main town of Lerwick every day, year-round. You can also fly to Orkney from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Shetland.
Ferries travel from the western mainland (around a three-hour drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow) out to Argyll & The Isles on a frequent basis. Two ferry services run to Brodick on the Isle of Arran from Ardrossan on the mainland; Ardrossan is a 45-minute drive from Glasgow.
Getting around the Scottish Islands
The north of Scotland
Orkney and Shetland are connected to the mainland and each other by NorthLink Ferries. In Shetland, inter-island ferry travel is operated by the council, while Orkney Ferries connect the archipelago’s 13 island destinations.
Scottish island-hopping by plane
In some instances, it’s possible to go island-hopping by plane. Some islands have a local airport where chartered flights are operated from mainland Scotland and beyond. There are also inter-island flights in:
- Outer Hebrides - flights connect Benbecula with Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
- Orkney - flights connect Kirkwall with North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Eday, Stronsay and Sanday.
- Shetland - from Shetland Mainland, flights go to Fair Isle, Foula and Papa Stour.
By bike
There are some pretty awesome cycling routes that should be taken while visiting the islands.
By foot
Walking around the islands is one of the best ways to take in the big vistas and landscapes and see nature up close. VisitScotland has a few suggestions.
By bus
Travel by bus in the Outer Hebrides for a wallet-friendly way to see its landscapes. Stagecoach provide bus services in Orkney, and Zettrans look after Shetland’s bus network.
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
Planning a business event in the Scottish Islands?
Planning a business event in the Scottish Islands?
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