Scottish Islands comprise an extensive list of visitor sites

Overview of Scottish Islands

Welcome to the many and varied Scottish islands.

The extensive list of islands include the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland with each island possessing a unique history and heritage thus offering the visitor a wide range of scenic, cultural, historical and other experiences.

Beach and sheep scene on Shetland, — Minn Beach, Shetland

The Principal Scottish Islands

A listing of the principal islands of Scotland includes Isle of Arran, Isle of Bute, Islay, Jura, Mull, Iona, North and South Uist, Harris, Lewis, Skye, Orkney and the Shetlands. Islands, such as Lewis and Harris, are Gaelic speaking, whilst others such as Arran, Lewis and Orkney are known for their prehistory and stone circles, Islay is known for its whisky and Skye for its scenery. Each of the islands has its own, distinctive appeal.

Image of Talisker whisky bottles on Isle of Skye, one of the Scottish islands — Talisker Whisky, Isle of Skye

Here is a summary of the features of each of the main Scottish islands:-

Arran

Often called ‘Scotland in miniature’. Arran is famous for its geology, Brodick Castle and prehistoric standing stones on Machrie Moor.

Isle of Bute

Lies close to Glasgow with visitor attractions including the Victorian Gothic Mount Stuart, Rothesay Castle and Ascog Hall Fernery and Garden.

Islay

Famous for its whisky and the historic Finlaggan power base of the Lords of the Isles. Whisky brands include Laphroiag, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Bunnahabhain. Tours of the distilleries are available.

Jura

This is where George Orwell retreated to write ‘1984’. Here is distilled the ‘Jura’ brand of whisky.

Isle of Mull

Known for its colourful harbour town of Tobermory, wildlife, Duart Castle and Clan Maclean, geology and Torosay Castle.

View of pastel coloured houses at Tobermory on Mull, one of the Scottish islands — Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Iona

Historic religious site where Christianity was introduced to Scotland from Ireland. Famous for its Abbey. Accessed by short ferry ride from Isle of Mull

Staffa

Uninhabited and accessed from Mull or Iona. Its basalt columns are geologically linked to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Here is Fingal’s Cave which inspired Mendelssohn’s overture.

North and South Uist

Sandy beaches, lochs (lakes), small farms (crofts), prehistoric stone circles and Gaelic culture.

View of traditional thatched cottage on Uist, one of the Scottish islands. — Traditional thatched cottage

Harris

Sandy beaches, rugged scenery and home of Harris Tweed knitwear.

Lewis

A strong Gaelic culture combined with traditional farming and extensive history and archaeology. Here are the famous Callanish Stones, an Iron-Age village at Bosta and a restored Blackhouse at Gearrannan.

Isle of Skye

A top visitor attraction offering stunning scenery, Dunvegan Castle, Talisker Distillery, arts and crafts and the Cuillin Mountains.

Orkney

Thirteen principal islands rich in prehistory and stone circles, the Viking era, wildlife, the outdoors with two whisky distilleries.

Shetlands

Over 100 rugged and rocky islands with a population proud of its Viking history. Famous for its tree-less scenery. There is a ruined castle at the capital, Lerwick, the famous Jarlshof prehistoric and Norse settlement at Sumburgh and the double skinned Mousa Broch dating from around 100BC-300AD.

Landscape view of Mousa Broch on Mousa, one of the Scottish islands. — Mousa Broch

Getting to the Scottish Islands

All of the islands can be accessed by ferry from the Scottish mainland (except Staffa which can be reached from Mull or Iona by tourist boat). Additionally, Islay, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland have airports and can be reached by air.

For more information refer Visitors Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4

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