A Guide To Island Hopping in Scotland
Island hopping is a great way to experience the offshore gems and secret spots that Scotland has to offer – whether you have a week or a weekend to spend here, the islands won’t disappoint.
Scotland is famed for its staggering mountains, beautiful lochs, and a variety of gems to explore, but, did you know that our islands are magical and otherworldly? Scotland has over 790 islands, each unique in their own way. With incredible natural beauty, dramatic seascapes and magical atmosphere, you’ll never want to leave island life behind.
Our islands are split into a few groups – Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Shetland, and Orkney.
Navigating across these bucket list-worthy islands is easier than you may think. Regular ferry connections run from the mainland to the islands on the west and north coasts of Scotland, as well as between the islands themselves. Some ferries allow you to take your car so you can continue exploring when you’re there.
You can even fly to various islands from the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness. Or why not fly from island-to-island to save time travelling?
Our islands have more to show than you can fit into a day – so why not stay over? There’s plenty of accommodation options on offer – from cosy cottages on the waterfront and eco-friendly self-catering lodges, to quaint campsites, caravans and B&Bs – but make sure you book ahead!
Venture to the Inner Hebrides if you want to explore places seen in blockbuster films, such as Prometheus, Snow White & The Huntsman, and Flash Gordon, or if you’re up for a scenic sailing tour. If magical lands filled with ancient history take your fancy, then head to Orkney!
The Isle of Mull is the perfect location to spot a variety of wildlife, including eagles soaring overhead, and head to Tobermory to see the colourful houses and buildings as well as trying some fresh seafood in one of the local pubs. Or, if you want to sample a dram or two of whisky then head to the Isle of Islay where you can choose from eight distilleries.
On the west coast, enjoy the untouched beauty of the Isle of Jura, let your inner adventurer out and try windsurfing on the Isle of Tiree, or uncover the turbulent history at the ancient abbey on the Isle of Iona.
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, the waters off the Isle of Coll are a great place to spot giant basking sharks, and even if you’ve never been there, you’re probably already familiar with Skye – it’s one of the most photographed, and talked about, of the Scottish islands.
The Outer Hebrides are perfect if you’re looking for crystal clear waters and golden sandy beaches. Or hop further afield to Orkney and Shetland to tick these magical places off your bucket list. From remnants of ancient civilisations, the chance to spot the Northern Lights during the darker winter months, and the cries of thousands of seabirds, to lively folk music sessions and ferocious Viking culture – there’s an abundance of things to keep you busy!
Why not follow some of our ready-made itineraries, or plan one of your own to make the most out of your island adventure?
Island Hopping:
Orkney:
Shetland:
Outer Hebrides:
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Places to see in ( Isle of Iona - UK )
Places to see in ( Isle of Iona - UK )
Isle of Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Gaelic monasticism for four centuries and is today known for its relative tranquility and natural environment. It is a tourist destination and a place for spiritual retreats. Its modern Gaelic name means Iona of (Saint) Columba (formerly anglicised Icolmkill).
Iona lies about 2 kilometres (1 mi) from the coast of Mull. It is about 2 kilometres (1 mi) wide and 6 kilometres (4 mi) long with a resident population of 125. The geology of the island consists mainly of Precambrian Lewisian gneiss with Torridonian sedimentary rocks on the eastern side and small outcrops of pink granite on the eastern beaches. Like other places swept by ocean breezes, there are few trees; most of them are near the parish church.
Iona's highest point is Dùn Ì, 101 metres (331 ft), an Iron Age hill fort dating from 100 BC – AD 200. Iona's geographical features include the Bay at the Back of the Ocean and Càrn Cùl ri Éirinn (the Hill/Cairn of [turning the] Back to Ireland), said to be adjacent to the beach where St. Columba first landed.
The main settlement, located at St. Ronan's Bay on the eastern side of the island, is called Baile Mòr and is also known locally as The Village. The primary school, post office, the island's two hotels, the Bishop's House and the ruins of the Nunnery are here. The Abbey and MacLeod Centre are a short walk to the north. Port Bàn (white port) beach on the west side of the island is home to the Iona Beach Party.
Iona Abbey, now an ecumenical church, is of particular historical and religious interest to pilgrims and visitors alike. It is the most elaborate and best-preserved ecclesiastical building surviving from the Middle Ages in the Western Isles of Scotland. Though modest in scale in comparison to medieval abbeys elsewhere in Western Europe, it has a wealth of fine architectural detail, and monuments of many periods. The 8th Duke of Argyll presented the sacred buildings and sites of the island to the Iona Cathedral trust in 1899.
In front of the Abbey stands the 9th century St Martin's Cross, one of the best-preserved Celtic crosses in the British Isles, and a replica of the 8th century St John's Cross (original fragments in the Abbey museum). Visitors can reach Iona by the 10-minute ferry trip across the Sound of Iona from Fionnphort on Mull. The most common route is via Oban in Argyll and Bute. Regular ferries connect to Craignure on Mull, from where the scenic road runs 37 miles (60 kilometres) to Fionnphort. Tourist coaches and local bus services meet the ferries.
( Torpoint - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Torpoint . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Torpoint - UK
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Places to see in ( Oban - UK )
Places to see in ( Oban - UK )
Oban is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, Oban is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town of Oban can play host to up to 25,000 people.
Oban occupies a setting in the Firth of Lorn. The bay is a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull. To the north, is the long low island of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour.
The area around Oban is rich with attractions for tourists, from the dramatic scenery of the coast and mountains to the fascinating histories of the local castles and ancient religious sites. There are also many activities available for families and those interested in more active pursuits. The Oban and Lorn tourist information website has detailed information for visitors. The Oban Visitor Information Centre, operated by VisitScotland, is located in the Columba Buildings on the North Pier.
Oban lies at the western end of the A85 road. It also has a railway station from where a number of Abellio ScotRail trains run to and from Glasgow Queen Street daily. The town is also an important ferry port: it is Caledonian MacBrayne's busiest terminal. Oban is known as the Gateway to the Isles, with ferries sailing to the islands of Lismore, Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, to Craignure on Mull, to Castlebay on Barra and to Lochboisdale on South Uist. In 2005, a new ferry terminal was opened, and in 2007 a second linkspan opened, allowing two vessels to load/unload at the same time.
Alot to see in ( Oban - UK ) such as :
McCaig's Tower
Dunstaffnage Castle
Falls of Lora
St Columba's Cathedral
Dunollie Castle
Kerrera
Loch Creran
Kilmartin Glen
Inveraray Jail
Castle Stalker
Castle Sween
Oban Distillery
Gylen Castle
Oban War & Peace Museum
Dunstaffnage Chapel
Oban Times Museum
Oban Bay
Ganavan Bay
Oban War Memorial
Hutcheson's Monument
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Isle of Tiree, Hebrides, Scotland - 5 days in July - 2016
Tiree, hiking fun, put along to our favourite Blue Rodeo Song
Places to see in ( Isle of Mull - UK )
Places to see in ( Isle of Mull - UK )
Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute. With an area of 875.35 square kilometres (337.97 sq mi) Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island and the fourth largest island surrounding Great Britain (excluding Ireland). In the 2011 census the usual resident population of Mull was 2,800 a slight increase on the 2001 figure of 2,667; in the summer this is supplemented by many tourists. Much of the population lives in Tobermory, the only burgh on the island until 1973, and its capital. Tobermory is also home to Mull's only single malt Scotch whisky distillery: Tobermory distillery (formerly Ledaig).
It is widely believed that Mull was inhabited from shortly after the end of the last Ice Age, around 6000 BC. Bronze Age inhabitants built menhirs, brochs and a stone circle with examples of burial cairns, cists, standing stones, pottery and knife blades provide compelling evidence. Between 600 BC and AD 400, Iron Age inhabitants were building protective forts, duns and crannogs. Whether or not they were Picts is unclear.
In the 6th century, Irish migrants invaded Mull and the surrounding coast, establishing the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata. The kingdom was divided into a number of regions, each controlled by a kin group, of which the Cenél Loairn controlled Mull and the adjacent mainland to the east. Dál Riata was a springboard for the christianisation of the mainland; the pivotal point was AD 563, when Columba, an Irish missionary, arrived at Iona (just off the south-west point of Mull) and founded a monastery, from which to start evangelising the local population.
Mull has a coastline of 480 kilometres (300 mi) and its climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The island has a mountainous core; the highest peak on the island is Ben More, which reaches 966 metres (3,169 ft). Various peninsulas, which are predominantly moorland, radiate from the centre.
The Aros peninsula to the north includes the main town of Tobermory, which was a burgh until 1973 when burghs were abolished. Other settlements include Salen, Dervaig and Calgary. The Ross of Mull lies to the south west and includes the villages of Bunessan, Pennyghael, Uisken and Fionnphort. Lochbuie, Lochdon and Craignure lie to the east.
Numerous islands lie off the west coast of Mull, including Erraid, Inch Kenneth, Iona, Gometra, and Ulva. Smaller uninhabited islands include Eorsa, Little Colonsay, the Treshnish Isles and Staffa (of Fingal's Cave fame). Calve Island is an uninhabited island in Tobermory Bay. Two outlying rock lighthouses are also visible from the south west of Mull, Dubh Artach and Skerryvore. The Torran Rocks are a large shoal of reefs, islets and skerries, approximately 15 square miles (39 km2) in extent, located two miles (3 km) to the south west, between the Ross of Mull peninsula and Dubh Artach. Frank Lockwood's Island near Lochbuie is named after the brother-in-law of the 21st MacLean of Lochbuie, who was Solicitor General from 1894-5.
Ferry links to Mull from the mainland include Oban to Craignure (approx. 45 minutes), Kilchoan to Tobermory (approx. 35 minutes) and Lochaline to Fishnish (approx. 15 minutes). Advance bookings are not required for the Kilchoan or Fishnish ferries; access to those two ferry terminals on the mainland side is via single-track roads.
There are ferry links from Fionnphort on Mull to the neighbouring island of Iona and from Oskamull to Ulva. In past years there were direct sailings to Oban (calling at Drimnin, Salen, Lochaline and Craignure), and to Barra, Coll and Tiree from Tobermory. During the summer there was also a sailing to Staffa and Iona from Oban which called at Tobermory. The Isle of Mull Railway ran from Craignure to Torosay Castle, but closed in 2011.
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Places to see in ( Oban - UK )
Places to see in ( Oban - UK )
Oban is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. Despite its small size, Oban is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William. During the tourist season, the town of Oban can play host to up to 25,000 people.
Oban occupies a setting in the Firth of Lorn. The bay is a near perfect horseshoe, protected by the island of Kerrera; and beyond Kerrera, the Isle of Mull. To the north, is the long low island of Lismore, and the mountains of Morvern and Ardgour.
The area around Oban is rich with attractions for tourists, from the dramatic scenery of the coast and mountains to the fascinating histories of the local castles and ancient religious sites. There are also many activities available for families and those interested in more active pursuits. The Oban and Lorn tourist information website has detailed information for visitors. The Oban Visitor Information Centre, operated by VisitScotland, is located in the Columba Buildings on the North Pier.
Oban lies at the western end of the A85 road. It also has a railway station from where a number of Abellio ScotRail trains run to and from Glasgow Queen Street daily. The town is also an important ferry port: it is Caledonian MacBrayne's busiest terminal. Oban is known as the Gateway to the Isles, with ferries sailing to the islands of Lismore, Colonsay, Islay, Coll, Tiree, to Craignure on Mull, to Castlebay on Barra and to Lochboisdale on South Uist. In 2005, a new ferry terminal was opened, and in 2007 a second linkspan opened, allowing two vessels to load/unload at the same time.
Alot to see in ( Oban - UK ) such as :
McCaig's Tower
Dunstaffnage Castle
Falls of Lora
St Columba's Cathedral
Dunollie Castle
Kerrera
Loch Creran
Kilmartin Glen
Inveraray Jail
Castle Stalker
Castle Sween
Oban Distillery
Gylen Castle
Oban War & Peace Museum
Dunstaffnage Chapel
Oban Times Museum
Oban Bay
Ganavan Bay
Oban War Memorial
Hutcheson's Monument
( Oban - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting the city of Oban . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Oban - UK
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Hebrides, Scotland: The Isles of Iona and Mull
More info about travel to Iona and Mull: Regardless of the weather, a tour of Scotland's Iona and Mull offers the best one-day look at dramatic and historic Hebrides Island scenery. After bussing across Mull, it's a one-mile ferry ride to the sleepy island of Iona, a great place for a break from a busy itinerary.
At you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group tours, guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and more on this destination.
Things to do in Fort William
Undoubtedly Fort William is famed mostly as being the starting off point to climb Britain's highest mountain (1,345 m) Ben Nevis. But there are so other things to do in Fort William as well.
Going up the Ben can be a great day out especially when the weather is fine and the views of the surrounding mountains, sea lochs and glens are clearly in view.
This apart there are some other nice trips to be found in the area. Taking in Neptune's Staircase which is the start of the Caledonian Canal which leads to Loch Ness and Inverness town.
Or perhaps you might like to take a ride up on the mountain gondola to the neighbouring mountain of Aonach Mor. Whether you want to just enjoy the trip and take in the views or partake in some skiing or snow boarding, you’re sure to enjoy it.
A little further south there is the Corran Ferry that takes you across Loch Linnhe to Ardgour. This will allow you to explore a whole new area which you may well have passed many times on your route up north.
Take a trip on the stunning train trip and visit Mallaig which is still a working fishing port with its own little museum which explains the local story very well.
Perhaps even book yourselves and the kids on the Jacobite steam train they will love it as it travels over the Glenfinnan viaduct of Harry Potter fame.
The West Highland Museum could be a great place to visit if you want to learn a little more about the Jacobite's and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
There are other interesting topics to uncover in the museum even discovering how the local life functions around this area will entertain you. If you are in the Fort william area for a few days then this is one that you could tick off if the weather was not so good.
England Newark Rail Station
Towards the end of a long day that began in York, then spent to and from Lincoln, ending in Newark where I'm hoping to get a ride to my hotel. I should mention that I had a special global travel phone from Verizon, since they said my own phone wouldn't work here, and the one they gave me stopped working as soon as I hit Bath and needed to be able to call hotels and cabs. So, Adventure!
Also, some discussion of finding the best ___ food in the world in one's own home town. For a Canterburyite, Canterbury has the best Mexican food ever. And I say that Decatur, IL has the best Chinese food...it's personal.
SeaViewHouse Isle of Harris Outer Hebrides
Luxury Self Catering Accommodation on the Isle of Harris, Sea View House, South Harris, Western Isles, Scotland