Which scottish islands to visit

Near the west coast of Kintyre, the island is home to the acre 22ha Achamore Gardens, hosting dancing hordes of rhododendrons and azaleas. Graced with barrels of gin and an abundance of whisky , Islay is considered the Queen of the Hebrides — and regal she is. Home to a magnificent bird population and numerous deer, this glistening jewel is the fifth-largest Scottish island.

One taste of this place inevitably results in a lifetime spent yearning to return. With a celestial beauty unachievable by man, Staffa is the kind of place that makes you want to pack up whatever you are doing and stay forever. Uninhabited since , Staffa will ignite the purest of epiphanies. The 1,ft m ayre permits people to cross it only when the seas allow, which happens during the summer months. Swathes of silver sands and pristine beaches encapsulate this free-willed spot. Studded with dramatic peaks peering over glinting lochs, the Isle of Skye sparks a longing for adventure in any traveller.

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To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Sign Up. Travel Guides. Ferries bring visitors to the island from Oban daily, but you can also fly from Connel or Islay on specific days.

On the island, explore the Colonsay House Gardens, play a round at the Colonsay Golf Course or walk along the sand at Kilroan Bay, one of the area's prime beaches. Shetland is made up of hundreds of islands only 15 are inhabited and can be found to the far north of Scotland. Visitors come to the islands by overnight ferry, plane, or cruise ship, and then explore the various areas via inter-island ferries, as well as car and bike rentals. There's a lot to see and do, so you should narrow down your itinerary to focus on a few highlights, which could include historic sites, hiking, and boat tours.

You can, of course, see the famous Shetland ponies, who can be found freely roaming the islands. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.

Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By Emily Zemler Emily Zemler. Emily Zemler is an American journalist living in London. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines. Share Pin Email. Continue to 2 of 15 below. Continue to 3 of 15 below. Continue to 4 of 15 below. Continue to 5 of 15 below. Continue to 6 of 15 below. Continue to 7 of 15 below. Continue to 8 of 15 below. Continue to 9 of 15 below.

Continue to 10 of 15 below. Continue to 11 of 15 below. Continue to 12 of 15 below. Continue to 13 of 15 below. Want to experience the best of Scotland's islands?

Then we reckon an island hopping trip is just the thing for you. Whether you've only got a couple of days or a couple of weeks, it's well worth taking the time to explore a few islands and discover the unique character of each. The main island groups which are best suited for touring include the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides in the west of Scotland, and Orkney and Shetland in the north. Why not explore on one of these 12 scenic boat trips or visit some of the best and most popular attractions across the country with our Ultimate Scottish Island Holiday ideas?

Want help from the experts? Explore the range of island hopping tour options, from sailing holidays to bespoke guided tours, and book your trip today! See what else you can get up to on an island hopping break. Whether you fancy travelling between Scotland's islands by ferry or plane you'll find plenty of ways to tick your dream islands off your must-visit list. Regular ferry connections run from the mainland to the islands on the west and north coasts of Scotland, and also between the islands themselves.

Caledonian MacBrayne , often known as CalMac, is the largest operator of ferry services in the west of Scotland, serving the main island groups of:. In addition to the CalMac routes, there are a few smaller ferry services to some destinations. These are usually run by council-appointed operators. 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.

In some instances it's possible to go by plane. Some islands have a local airport where chartered flights are operated from mainland Scotland and beyond.

Whether you long for the windswept shores Whether you've only got a couple of days or a couple of weeks, experience the best of the Scottish islands on an island-hopping holiday.

Beat the winter blues! Travel to the edge of Scotland and escape from the stresses of the 21st century. What better place than the Outer Hebrides