Scotland has over 790 offshore islands. Around 100 of these islands are inhabited. Each one has its own personality and appeal. The islands range from the tropical-looking beaches of the Outer Hebrides to the rugged mountains of Skye. They offer some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe. The Scottish islands have rich histories dating back thousands of years. The islands were settled by Celts, Vikings, and Scots. Each group left its mark on the culture and architecture. You can find standing stones older than the pyramids, abandoned villages from the Highland Clearances, and communities that speak Gaelic as their first language. Island life moves at a slower pace. The food is exceptional with a focus on fresh seafood and lamb. The best time to visit is from April to September. Let us explore the best Scottish islands for tourists who want to experience the magic of Scotland’s coast.
In This Article
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is the most famous of the Scottish islands. It is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides with an area of 1,656 square kilometers. Skye is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge built in 1995. The island has a population of approximately 10,000 and attracts over 650,000 visitors each year. The Cuillin Mountains are the most dramatic feature with the highest peak Sgurr Alasdair at 992 meters. The Old Man of Storr is a famous 50-meter tall rock formation. The Quiraing is a landscape of dramatic cliffs and rock formations. Fairy Pools are crystal-clear pools on the River Brittle. Portree is the main town with a picturesque harbour and colourful houses. Book accommodation well ahead as it fills up quickly. The weather is wet with rain on 200 days per year but the beauty shines through regardless.
Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran is often called Scotland in Miniature. The island covers 432 square kilometers in the Firth of Clyde with a population of approximately 4,600. The north is mountainous with the highest peak Goatfell at 874 meters. The south has gentler farmland and sandy beaches. Arran has a rich geological history studied for over 200 years. The island is famous for its food with a brewery, distillery, cheese factory, and chocolate factory all open to visitors. The Arran Distillery was established in 1995 with tours costing approximately GBP 12. Brodick Castle was the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton with beautiful gardens. The ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick takes 55 minutes. Arran is popular with walkers and cyclists with excellent trails including the 107-kilometer Arran Coastal Way.
Outer Hebrides: Isle of Lewis and Harris
Lewis and Harris are technically the same island, the largest in the Outer Hebrides at 2,179 square kilometers. Lewis in the north is flatter with vast peat bogs. The main town is Stornoway with a population of approximately 6,950. Harris in the south is mountainous with spectacular beaches. The Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis predate Stonehenge by 500 years, erected between 2900 and 2600 BC. Harris is famous for Harris Tweed, a hand-woven cloth produced for centuries. Luskentyre Beach on Harris has white sand and turquoise water that rivals the Caribbean. The ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. The island has a strong Gaelic culture with about 50 percent of the population speaking Gaelic.
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull is the second-largest island in the Inner Hebrides covering 875 square kilometers. The population is approximately 2,800. Mull is famous for wildlife including white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, otters, seals, and red deer. The ferry from Oban to Craignure takes 45 minutes. Tobermory is the main town with colourful houses around the harbour and a population of 1,000. Tobermory Distillery was founded in 1798 with tours costing approximately GBP 12. Duart Castle dates back to the 13th century and is the seat of the Maclean clan standing on a dramatic cliff. Mull is an excellent base for visiting Iona, a 10-minute ferry ride away. Iona was the site of a monastery founded by St. Columba in 563 AD that became a major centre of Christian learning.
Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands lie off the northern coast of Scotland. The archipelago has 70 islands of which 20 are inhabited with a total population of 22,000. Orkney is famous for its Neolithic sites which are UNESCO World heritage sites. Skara Brae is a Neolithic village buried under sand for 5,000 years. It was discovered in 1850 and dates back to 3180 BC, older than Stonehenge. The Ring of Brodgar is a stone circle with 36 standing stones built around 2500 BC. Maeshowe is a chambered cairn built around 2800 BC with Viking graffiti from the 12th century inside. Kirkwall is the capital with St. Magnus Cathedral built in 1137. Orkney has a milder climate than the mainland due to the Gulf Stream. The best time to visit is from May to September when the days are long.
Which Scottish island appeals to you most, the dramatic landscapes of Skye, the archaeological treasures of Orkney, or the white sand beaches of Harris?
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