No trip to Scotland can be complete without visiting of the Scottish islands. But there are so many, which ones to choose? After an introduction about the best Scottish isles, I share a map to get you oriented and the interest and things to do on 24 of the biggest islands. Plus practical tips to plan your trip.
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SCOTTISH ISLANDS MAP
As I was preparing my trip to Scotland, I stated researching all the Scottish islands. I spend hours researching and planning. So I decided to share the result with you, in the hop in will help you too.
This article presents 24 of the main islands in Scotland.
Let's start with a map to help you get oriented:
WHICH SCOTTISH ISLANDS TO VISIT
Scotland has over 790 islands, so of course I am not mapping and listing every single one of them. But the list below includes 24 of the main Scottish isles.
BEST SCOTTISH ISLANDS
A solution could be to list only the best islands. But, well, it is really hard to list the best Scottish islands. It really depends on what you enjoy. As you can see for each one in this article I wrote what they are great for. So here I am just going the list the most famous isles and you can read about them further in the article.
- Skye is famous for its iconic landscapes
- Islay ... for its whisky distilleries
- Jura ... for its pristine environment
- Iona ... for its role in Christiannity
- Arran ... for being the 'Scotland in Miniature'
- The Shetlands islands ... for their remoteness and the ponies
- The Orkneys ... for their high number of archaeological sites and their wildlife
- Lewis ... for one of the best Stone circle
- etc etc etc
MY SELECTION OF SCOTTISH ISLES
And for those interested in my choice of Scottish Islands for my own trip: considering the limited time I have, I have decided to spend most of my time on mainland Scotland and only visit Skye and Mainland Orkney. And they both have made it on my Top 5 of Scotland Destinations.
If I had more time I would have also picked Arran, Jura, Lewis and the Shetland Islands.
SCOTTISH ISLANDS TOURS
If you don't want to plan and book everything by your self, companies offer tours specialised on islands, such as:
- the Isle of Skye in 3 days from Edinburgh - check out program & latest prices
- 4 day Orkney experience from Edinburgh - check out program & latest prices
- 6 days to cover the isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides - check out program & latest prices
SCOTTISH ISLANDS LIST
If you have not ideas yet, you can just scroll this article. But if you are looking for particular isles, open the menu below and click on the Scottish islands that interests you.
Open Menu for direct links to islands
SOUTH INNER HEBRIDES
ISLE OF ARRAN
Arran is often considered the little Scotland or Scotland in Miniature with highlands in the North and lowlands in the South.
Great Island for: Scotland in miniature
Getting to Arran
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Main ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick - 1 hour crossing - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Less frequent smaller ferry from Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula to Lochranza - 30 min crossing
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Getting around Arran
- You can take the ferry with your car
- or you can take the bus between the 3 main Towns
- One main road circling the island and 1 main road crossing in the center
Things to do and see
- Stone circles: Auchagallon (15 stones), Machrie Moore (6 tall stones), Moss Farm Road Cairn (mostly covered)
- Landscapes: Glen Chalmadale Valley, Whiting Bay, Lamlash Bay, Drumadoon Bay, 3 hour hike up to the tallest point Goat Fell
- Castles: Lochranza (ruins surrounded by water), Brodick with its garden (open to the public in Summer)
- Balmichael center: fun park and retail store for Island wares
- Remnants of old structure: Kilpatrick Dun, Torr A'Chaisteal fort, Torrylin Chambered Cairn
- Golf course
Check the ARRAN island's website for more details on the things to do.
Accommodation in Arran
You can find accommodations all around the island: a Mix of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. For example:
- The Douglas Hotel in Brodick - Check out pictures and prices
- The stunning Butt Lodge in the North of the island - Check out pictures and prices
- or check out accommodation options on the isle of Arran
ISLAY
Called the Queen of the Hebrides, this Scottish island is famous for its beaches, friendly people and whisky distilleries.
Great Island for: Whisky
Whisky Barils on Islay
Getting to and around Islay
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Flight from Glascow
- Ferry from Kennacraig (North of the Kintyre peninsula) to Port Ellen and to Port Askaig - 2h20 crossing - 3 to 4 times a day (2 time on Sunday) - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus, or hire a car
Things to do and see
- Landscapes: good for easy walks beach, woodland and pastures + views of Jura from Port Askaig, Soldier's rock
- 8 well known distilleries: by alphabetical order, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig
- Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte presenting the history of the island
- Finalaggan: loch with 3 islands, one with remains of the 13th century defences
- Monuments: Kildalton cross, american monument
- 2 RSPB sites (small reserves) near Kinnabus and Lecht Gruinart
Check the ISLAY island's website for more details on the things to do.
Accommodation in Islay
You can find a reasonnable selection of accommodations all around the island: a Mix of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. For example:
- The Glenegedale House in the South - Check out pictures and prices
- The Burnside Lodge at the end of the peninsula - Check out pictures and prices
- or check out accommodation options on the isle of Islay
JURA
Jura is considered the island of Wildernesses with 3500 deer and half of the island covered by the Jura forest.
Great Island for: Hiking, Landscapes
Getting to and around the isle of Jura
- To be visited in 1 day
- Ferry from Tayvallich to Craighouse - under 1 hour crossing - with Jura Passenger Ferry (not on Wednesdays and only once on Sunday)
- Ferry from Port Askaig (on ISLAY island) to Feolin (at least every hours), short trip possible by car
- Getting around: come by car, take the bus or a private tour with Jura island Tours.
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Hike the Paps of Jura
- Isle of Jura distillery (built by the Campbell's in 1810)
- Jura house Garden
- Just walk in the wild and enjoy the wildlife
Check the JURA island's website for more details on the things to do.
COLONSAY
Small island west of Jura, it is home to 135 inhabitants and displays sandy beaches and a fertile land.
Great Island for: Beaches, Birdwatching
Getting to and around Colonsay
- Can be visited in x day
- Ferry from Oban - 2h25 hour crossing - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry (aligned with train from Glascow)
- or Ferry from the scottish island of ISLAY
- or Flight from Connel Airport in Oban
- Getting around: come by car, walk or hire a bike from the Colonsay hotel. No public transport
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Boat trips around the island
- Discover the beaches and abondant birdlife, especially on its smaller neighbor Oronsay
- Colonsay House Gardens (open Wednesdays and Fridays)
Check the COLONSAY island's website for more details on the things to do
MULL & IONA
Mull is an island for the whole family with history and nature. Iona is in continuity of its South peninsula and is considered the cradle of Scottish christianity.
Great Island for: History and communities
Mull island
Getting to and around Mull and Iona
- Can be visited in 1 or 2 days
- Ferry from Oban (mainland) to Craignure (east of Mull) - 45 minute crossing - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Ferry from Lochaline (on morvern peninsula) to Fishnish Pier - short ride - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus, a taxi or rent a car - Pay attention! Most roads are one lane.
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Landscapes: easy hiking in the mountains up to 900m, beaches, Was Fors Waterfall
- Castles: 6 on the islands: Duart Castle, Torosay Castle, Glengorm Castle, Moy Castle, Dun Ara Castle and Aros Castle
- Standing stones: Circle Lochbuie from the Bronze age and other sets of stones hidden in the forest.
- Geology: Fossil Tree (12m high sea cliffs from cooled lava, walk accessible if you do not have vertigo), cave and Carsaig arches
- Wildlife cruises and wildlife walks
- Aquarium and swimming pool
- Tour to Iona (ferry at Fionnphort) or part of Boat tours - chapel, Abbey, Hermit cell and maybe Quarry
Check the MULL island's website or the IONA site for more details on the things to do.
Accommodation on Mull
You can find accommodations all around the island: a Mix of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. For example:
- Sleeping in style at the Glengorm Castle - Check out pictures and prices
- Craigrowan B&B, peaceful with views - Check out pictures and prices
- Ardoran House on Iona - Check out pictures and prices
- or check out accommodation options on the isle of Mull
TIREE & COLL
Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. It is a flat island often described as a 'raised beach'. Its neighbor Coll offers peace and quiet with nature walks and stunning beaches.
Great Island for: Beaches and Walking
Coalas, Isle of Tiree
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in x day
- Ferry from Oban - 4 hour crossing (Stopping first at Coll 3h and then Tiree) - car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Or fly from Glasgow or Oban
- Getting around: come by car or take a taxi, hire a bike, Ring'n Ride service on Tiree - your car, a taxi or bike on Coll (no public transportation on Coll)
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Tiree: kerryvore Lighthouse Museum, Sandaig Museum, walk on the beach or get to Ben Hynish the highest point for views of the island (141 m high at the South point)
- Coll: Standing stones forts, duns, souterrain as well as beaches and nature walks
Check the TIREE website or the COLL site for more details on the things to do.
AND MORE...
And smaller / less visited scottish islands of the inner Hebrides: Herrera, Lismore, Bute, Cumbrae...
SKYE ISLAND and surroundings
SKYE
The most famous of all Scottish islands, Skye shall not be missed. With the advantage of being reached via a bridge, you can easily enjoy its iconic landscapes.
Great Island for: Iconic Scenery and wildlife
Isle of Skye Scotland
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 2 to 3 days
- By car via the Skye bridge
- Ferry from from Glenelg to Kylerhea or Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
- or Ferry linking it to the Outer Hebrides
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus, taxis or tours
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Landscapes: Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Loch Coruisk and Kilt Rock
- Hiking with fairies at the Fairy Pools or Fairy Glen
- Talisker Distillery
- Skye Serpentarium, which is an award winning reptile exhibition and breeding centre
- Several Duns and Cairns and the Castles of Dunvegan, Armadale and Dungaith (ruins)
Check out my detailed guide about the things to do in Skye island, including video, photos, map and accommodation suggestions.
EIGG
Famous for its pitchstone ridge (the largest in Britain) and singing sands, the island is home to vibrant community and stunning landscapes.
Great Island for: Unique landscapes
Eigg Island
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Ferry from Mallaig on the small isles route - 1h30 crossing - ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- In Summer, fast boats from Algol on Skye with Aqua Explore
- Getting around: you cannot come with a car, so discover it on foot or hire a bike near the pier
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- The Singing Sands: walk on the beach and listen to the quartz
- An Sgurr, the largest pitchstone in the UK with great views of the islands
- Kildonan Graveyard and the ruins of the chapel
- Grelin abandonner farms and the nearby Massacre and Cathedral caves
Check the EIGG website for more details on the things to do.
RUM
Rum is a National Nature Reserve with its volcanic natural heritage and abundant bird life.
Great Island for: Hill walks, wildlife
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Ferry from Mallaig to on the small isles route - 80 min crossing - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Getting around: on foot or bike
- Accommodations: Hostel and campsite
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Edwardian Castle of Kinloch
- Hill walks and mountaineering including 2 heritage trails
- Admire the wildlife including sea eagles
Check the RUM website for more details on the things to do.
CANNA & SANDAY
Boasting stunning scenery, a temperate climate and a sheltered harbour, Canna is the most westerly of the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, and also one of the most hospitable.
Great Island for: Beaches and Birdwatching
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Ferry from Mallaig - 2h30 crossing (1 hour after the RUM stop (not everyday) - Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- or via tours from the island of Skye during the summer months
- Getting around: on foot or bike
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Coastline
- Seabirds colonies
- Walk to the island of Sanday at low tide (but not the Sanday island from the Orkneys of course)
Check the CANNA Island website for more details on the things to do.
AND MORE...
And smaller / less visited scottish islands around Skye... Raasay, Muck, Scalpay, Rona, summer isles
OUTER HEBRIDES
ISLE OF LEWIS & HARRIS
Lewis is the largest island in the Outer Hebrides. It is famous for pristine white sand beaches and the best prehistoric site in Scotland
Great Island for: Best Stone circle in Scotland, Stunning White sand beaches
Isle of Lewis
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 2 to 3 days
- Ferry from Ullapool to Sotrnoway (3 hour crossing) or from Skye (2h) or North Uist islands (1h) - ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
- Fly from Glasgow or Benbeculas via Flyby
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus (good service)
Things to do and see
- The Callanish Standing Stones and other monuments such as the Carloway Borch, the Lews castle, the Trussel stone
- White sand beaches including Luskentyre and Borve beaches
- Drive to Harris islands famous for tweed and Knitwear
Check the LEWIS Island website and the HARRIS Island website for more details on the things to do.
Accommodation in Lewis and Harris
You can find accommodations all around the island: a Mix of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. For example:
- Uig Lodge, right by the beach on the isle of Lewis - Check out pictures and prices
- Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on the South end of Lewis - Check out pictures and prices
- Harris White Cottage on Harris island - Check out pictures and prices
- or check out accommodation options on the isles of Lewis and Harris
NORTH AND SOUTH UIST
North Uist is home to Europe's largest breeding colony of seals and is also heaven for bird watchers.
Great Island for: Beaches, Wildlife and Birdwatching
Pobull Fhinn, Isle of north Uist Scotland
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 to 2 days
- Ferry from the island of Skye to North Uist (2h crossing) or from Oban to South Uist (6h30 crossing) - car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry - or ferry from Harris/Lewis islands
- Or Fly from Glasgow
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus, car hire available
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Barpa Langass, a 5,000-year-old burial chamber and the Langais stone circle
- Landscape: Eaval peak, beaches
- Uist Animal Visitor Centre Farm with rare Scottish breeds such as Eriskay Ponies
- Viewpoint where on a clear day you can see the Monach island and supposedly all the way to Saint Kilda
Check the NORTH UIST Island website and the SOUTH UIST Island website for more details on the things to do.
BARRA & VATERSAY
More white sand beaches and strong community as the most western outer hebrides islands.
Great Island for: Old way of life & Stunning beaches
Isle of Vatersay, Scotland
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in x day
- Ferry from Oban (5h30 crossing) or from the neighbor island or South Uist (2h crossing) - car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Or fly from Glasgow
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus between the main town, car and bike hire
- Vatersay is connected to Barra
Things to do and see
- Medieval Castle of Kisimul
- Standing and fallen stones and a dun
- Old settlements cold deserted villages at Balnabodach
Check the BARRA Island website for more details on the things to do.
AND MORE...
And the many smaller / less visited scottish islands in the Outer Hebrides... Ericksay, Grimsay, Vatersay, Taransay, Mingulay, Berneray, Benbecula, Baleshare...
ORKNEY ISLANDS
MAINLAND ORKNEY
Rich in archeological sites, mainland Orkney is a dynamic islands with low fertile grounds and abundant wildlife.
Great Island for: Variety
Ring of Brodgar, Mainland Orkney
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 2 days
- Ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (7 hour crossing) or from Scarbster to Stromness (2h crossing) - car ferry company: Northland Ferry
- Fly from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Inverness
- Getting around: come by car or take the bus (good network) - rend a car or a bike
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Monuments: St Magnus Cathedral, Palaces in Kirkwall, Skara Brae (stone village) and the Broch of Gurness as well as the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe (Chambered Tomb)....
- The famous wildlife of the Orkney islands
Check out my detailed guide about the things to do in Orkney Scotland
HOY
Famous from it huge sea stack, Orkney's second largest islands offers dramatic cliffs and glacial valleys
Great Island for: Coastal landscape
Old man of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Various ferries from different islands in the Orkneys
- Getting around: come by car or take the Hail and ride community busses - or hire a bike
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- The Old Man of Hoy sea stack (3h return hike from Rackwick)
- Dwarfie stone (5000 year rock cut tomb)
- Martello tower
Check the ORKNEY Islands website for more details on the things to do.
NORTHERN ORKNEY ISLANDS
There are many smaller islands North of Mainland Orkney with different features and history. The main ones are Rousay, Westray and Papa Westray, Sanday
Great Island for: Archeology, Wildlife, Unspoiled environment
Accessibility & Planning
- Various ferries from different islands in the Orkneys (1h to 3h crossings from mainland Orkney)
- Getting around: come by car, car hire, few buses, taxis, bike...
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Rousay: dramatic cliffs, bird colonies and over 150 archeological sites - it is known as the 'Egypt of the North'
- Westray and Papa Westray: Notland castle, Knap of Howar (farmstead predating the Pyramids) Viking house, heritage center, puffins, rural life
- Sanday: Low-lying island with Beautiful beaches, bays and dunes - Quoyness Chambered Tomb, Start Point Lighthouse...
Check the ORKNEY Islands website for more details on the things to do.
AND MORE...
And the many smaller / less visited scottish islands in the Orkney islands... Flotta, Shapinsay, Burray, Eday, Stronsay, Papa Stronsay, North Ronaldsay and South Ronaldsay
SHETLAND ISLANDS
MAINLAND SHETLAND
The Shetland Scottish islands are a a subarctic archipelago North of Scotland. Its main isles in called Mainland. Archeological sites, Cliffs, wildlife, fort, Mainland has it all.
Great Island for: Variety and remoteness
Shetland islands
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 2 or 3 days
- Overnight ferry from Aberdeen (14h) or 7 hour ferry from the Orkney islands with Northlink Ferry
- Flight from major Glasgow and other cities
- Getting around: main city is Lerwick - rent a car or use the good public transportation system
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Archeology: Settlements of Jarlhoh and Scatness, Clickimin Broch
- Landscapes: cliffs of Eshaness, beaches
- Wildlife
- Monument: Scalloway castles Fort Charlotte
Check the SHETLAND Islands website for more details on the things to do.
You can also check MigratingMiss's article about the reasons to visit the Shetland islands.
Accommodation in the Shetland islands
You can find accommodations all around the island: a Mix of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs. For example:
- Scalloway hotel, nor far from lerwick - Check out pictures and prices
- Maryfield House Hotel in the town of Lerwick - Check out pictures and prices
- Drumquin Guest House in the North of mainland - Check out pictures and prices
- or check out accommodation options on the Shetland Islands
YELL
Yell is the largest of the Shetland's North Isles and is know for its wildlife, especially skuas and otters thanks to the low-lying shoreline.
Great Island for: Wildlife
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Inter-Island Ferry from Toft in Mainland Shetland to Ulsta operated by the Shetland Islands Council
- Getting around: come by car - some busses between to main towns. Taxis also available.
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Old Haa Museum
- Go watch otters
Check the SHETLAND Islands website for more details on the things to do.
UNST
Unst is the northernmost large island of Scotland and is being developed as a great walking destination.
Great Island for: Landscape, birdwatching, coastal trails
Unst, Orkney islands, Scotland
Accessibility & Planning
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Inter-Island Ferry from Gutcher in Yell to Belmont operated by the Shetland Islands Council
- Getting around: come by car - some busses between to main towns. Taxis also available. Organized tours can be a good option.
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
Things to do and see
- Landscapes: cliffs of Hermaness, beaches such as Skaw, farmland
- Stony desert with unique flowers (if you are there at the right season)
- Shetland ponies
- Birdwatching
Check the SHETLAND Islands website for more details on the things to do.
AND MORE...
And the many smaller / less visited scottish islands in the Shetland... Papa Stour, Bressay, Isle of Noss, Walsay, Fetlar Muckle Roe, Foula Island, Buray...
REMOTE SCOTTISH ISLANDS
FAIR ISLE
Located between the Orkneys and the Shetland scottish islands, thee isolated Fair isle is famous for birds, knitwear and shipwrecks.
Great Island for: Cliffs, Knitwear, birdwatching
Getting to Fair isle
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Fly in or get onboard the mailboat for 2h30 coming from the Shetland islands
- Getting around: bike! it is just 5km long and 3km wide
Things to do and see
- Just explore the whole isle
- Take your time to enjoy birdwatching
Check the FAIR ISLE website or its section on the Shetland Island Website for more details on the things to do.
SAINT KILDA
Saint Kilda is an isolated archipelago West of the Outer Hebrides. The Largest island is Hirta. It is one of the remotest part of Greab Britain. It was evacuated n 1930
Great Island for: Cliffs, Birdwatching
Getting to Saint Kilda
- Can be visited in 1 day
- Day trips with tour companies from Harris and Lewis islands
- Car ferry company: Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry
- Check out Ferry times and Prices on Dirrectferries.com
- Getting around: on foot - there are not roads
Things to do and see
- Admire the cliffs and sea stacks
- Discover the history of this isolated place and the few archeological sites
- It is a Unesco World Heritage site
Check the SAINT KILDA website for more details on the things to do.
Want to see more of Scotland's beauty?
Discover more things to do in Scotland in the ZigZag On Earth Travel Scotland Guide
So, which Scottish islands got on your itinerary?
Walking around the Isle of Skye is very high on my ‘burning desire’ list! I can’t wait to see how you like it and to see your photos Claire.
Thanks Melinda. I am looking forward to Skye. I just need to decide which walks I am going to do and if I am also planning a boat tour. I will for sure share a lot of pictures 🙂