Ever dream of escaping to an island where you can leave behind everyday stresses and marvel at breathtakingly beautiful landscapes steeped in history?
That’s so simple with Scotland’s islands: they’re much closer than you think and easy to reach with Caledonian MacBrayne – ‘CalMac’ – which provides affordable ferry transport to over 50 ports and harbours across 200 miles of Scotland’s west coast.
You have an extraordinary selection of islands to discover – from the Hebrides to the isles of the Clyde.
“There are few parts of the world which possess such magic and mystery as the seas around Scotland,” explains Hamish Haswell-Smith, whose gazetteer, The Scottish Islands, is considered the definitive guide to our isles.
“Each is an individual with differences so remarkable that the mere crossing of a short stretch of water can be like visiting another continent.”
This is Scotland’s Year of Stories, a celebration of tales inspired by the country, and Celtic communities across our islands have a rich heritage of storytelling.
And no wonder – there’s plenty to write about. The excitement of exploring the Scottish islands is unforgettable – and easy to experience with CalMac.
So why not plan an island adventure this autumn and create your own amazing stories to remember ...
Inner Hebrides
The Small Isles of Canna, Muck, Eigg and Rum are beautiful little outposts, while Raasay, although just 14 miles from north to south is one of the most geologically diverse landmasses in the world. However , the largest and most famous of the Inner Hebrides is the
Isle of Skye which is, arguably, one of Scotland’s most famous west coast islands.The ‘misty isle’ is a place so steeped in mythology that it can be difficult to separate the myths from history, fact from fiction, and in this Year of Stories, there’s never been a better time to visit Skye.
Tales of warriors and witches abound on this island which was home to the legendary mythical warrior queen Scáthach whose ruined Fortress of Shadows, Dunscaith Castle, still stands today in the south of the island on the Sleat peninsula.
Outer Hebrides
The unspoiled Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, form an archipelago whose main islands are Lewis and Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula and Barra.
With over 5,000 years of history and a unique culture, these islands hold so many stories for you to uncover, not least the mysteries of the Calanais Standing Stones on Lewis, which predate Stonehenge.
For other exciting tales, check out the Seanachas (storytelling) programme at the An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway. The Outer Hebrides are the wellspring of Gaelic culture in Scotland and the lyrical language is still heard everywhere here.
Wildlife abounds (see the whales and white-tailed eagles), the beaches rival the Caribbean, and the food and drink is superb.
If you’ve seen Whisky Galore, filmed on Barra, and been inspired by the real-life sinking of the SS Politician, you can also unpick fact from fiction – and search for one of the bottles of whisky still said to be hidden on the island.
Southern Hebrides
From the brightly coloured houses that frame Tobermory harbour on Mull, to tiny Iona, known as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity, this group of islands are amongst the most beautiful and interesting to visit.
The largest islands of the Southern Hebrides are Islay, Mull and Jura but they also include the less visited outposts of Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay,which have some of the best beaches in Scotland - perfect for autumn walks. The Isle of Coll is a Dark Sky Community, making it perfect for star gazing. The best time to visit is from August to March and you might be lucky enough to see the Aurora and are almost guaranteed to view the Milky Way if the skies are clear.
Each of these islands is easy to access with CalMac and each offers a unique and memorable experience.
Love birdwatching? Head for Mull. A dram by the fireside? Islay is a place of pilgrimage for whisky lovers with nine distilleries. And admire wildlife such as dolphins, porpoise and minke whales from the water with Jura Boat Tours, where you can also arrange a visit to the spectacular Corryvreckan whirlpool, the 3 rd largest in the world.
Firth of Clyde
For many of us, the First of Clyde is a throwback to childhood day trips, or longer, to Bute, Arran, Cumbrae or ‘doon the watter’ to Dunoon.
These are all accessible locations, perfect for quick getaways and adventure, and wonderful family destinations where you can make lasting memories.
Cycling the 10 miles around Cumbrae is a rite of passage for many youngsters and scaling the peaks of Arran, such as Goatfell, is a realistic, yet challenging endeavour for most abilities. If you are entertaining kids consider booking a trekking experience with Arran Alpacas, a fun and memorable event with these adorable creatures.
Start planning your islands getaway at visitscotland.com/islandadventures
