Which Scottish island should you visit?
Scotland has nearly 800 islands, and around 90 are inhabited. Most visitors go to Skye. It is worth knowing what the others offer before you decide.
| Island | Best for | Getting there | Crowds in summer | Allow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skye | Dramatic mountain and coast scenery | Bridge, or ferry from Mallaig | Very busy | 2 to 4 nights |
| Mull and Iona | Wildlife, Iona Abbey, Staffa | Ferry from Oban (45 to 50 min) | Busy at ferry times, quieter elsewhere | 2 to 3 nights |
| Lewis and Harris | Beaches, standing stones, Gaelic culture | Ferry from Ullapool or Skye, or fly | Moderate | 3 to 4 nights |
| The Uists and Barra | Empty beaches, birdlife, slow pace | Ferry from Skye, Mallaig or Oban | Quiet | 3 nights or more |
| Islay | Whisky distilleries, birdlife | Ferry from Kennacraig (about 2 hr), or fly | Busy at festival time in late May | 2 to 3 nights |
| Arran | "Scotland in miniature", easy from Glasgow | Train and ferry, about 2 hr from Glasgow | Busy at weekends | 1 to 2 nights |
| Orkney | Neolithic sites, gentle landscape | Ferry from Caithness or Aberdeen, or fly | Busy on cruise-ship days | 3 to 4 nights |
| Shetland | Seabird cliffs, Norse heritage, remoteness | Overnight ferry from Aberdeen, or fly | Quiet | 4 nights or more |
| Eigg and the Small Isles | Car-free peace, community islands | Passenger ferry from Mallaig | Quiet | 1 to 2 nights |
Some honest pointers
- First visit, short trip: Skye is the easiest to reach and the most dramatic, but book well ahead and expect company at the famous spots.
- Want wildlife: Mull, for eagles and otters; Shetland or the Treshnish Isles for seabirds.
- Want beaches: Harris, the Uists, Barra and Tiree.
- Want history: Orkney and Iona.
- Want whisky: Islay, or Skye and Orkney if you are going anyway.
- Want to avoid crowds: almost anywhere but Skye in July and August.
- No car: Iona, Eigg and Arran work well as a foot passenger.