If you've been to Scotland you know of the extensive fields of heather in the hills of the highlands and the fairytale-like castles and Scottish whisky farmed and brewed in the lowlands. You've probably experienced the rich culture of music and the arts in Glasgow and been to Edinburgh for the history built into their castles, cobblestone streets and closes, and tucked-away neighborhoods. Recently, the most popular request has been for the Isle of Skye. And while we agree it's worth the trip, there are many islands to visit off the coast of Scotland that will deepen your love for this beautiful country.
What are the Scottish Isles?
There are hundreds of Scottish islands off the rugged western coastline, but there are four main groups of islands - Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland. The Inner Hebrides are most accessible from the mainland of Scotland, as these islands sit along the western coastline - and are most famously traveled to because they include the Isle of Skye. Surrounding the Inner Hebrides are the Outer Hebrides, which take more travel time. If these are on your itinerary, we often suggest staying in the Isle of Skye as an access point to explore the Hebrides. Then, to the very north of Scotland are the islands of Orkney. Even further north (and when we say further, we mean it - it's a 10 hour ferry between the two isles), is Shetland. For these islands, we often suggest staying on one of their mainlands or in Inverness as an access point.
The Scottish Isles add rich culture to the tapestry of the country and hold traditions and histories beyond the mainland - there is so much for the traveler to explore!
Why Travel to the Scottish Isles
Each island provides its own touch of magic, so if you already love Scotland, you're bound to fall in love with traversing the islands. The islands are great for active travelers as there are stunning hikes with rugged terrain and incredible peaks on the Isle of Skye, like the Trotternish Ridge or West Highland Way. It's also a paradise for animal lovers - whether you want to watch the migration of dolphins and whales off the Isle of Mull or take an excursion to the Isle of Staffa to see the incredible landforms inhabited solely by puffins. And, of course, it's a great place to consider if you love to travel for culture and history. From the intact prehistoric villages of Orkney and standing stones on the Isle of Lewis, to the Viking settlements of Shetland and medieval castles along the shores of Arran - there are historical sites that will leave you awe-struck. The islands' cultures are steeped in Gaelic traditions of art and language, and whiskey is even more of an art form than you can imagine.
How to Travel to the Scottish Isles
While all of the four groups of inhabitable islands can be reached by ferry and some can be reached by plane, we want to caution that you will need extensive time to get to the Outer Hebrides, Shetland, and Orkney. Once on the islands, private drivers or self-drive of a rented car is recommended to explore the areas you want to see.
Most popularly traveled to are the Inner Hebrides, as they are closest to the mainland. These are especially great to travel to if you are staying in Scotland for 10-14 days and want both a taste of the mainland and the isles. The Inner Hebrides are also a great destination in and of themselves. You can start from an island such as the Isle of Skye, and go from there.
Orkney is about a 1 hour flight from Edinburgh. We suggest staying directly in Orkney or Inverness (on the mainland) to be close to these islands as they can take a very long time to get to. From Inverness, you could travel both the highlands for some time on your trip and then set aside a few days to travel to Orkney. Shetland, however, is an even further trip and will require you to remain in Shetland or Orkney as home base. If you want to see both, we always suggest the flight as the ferry is 10 hours long.
If you're anything like us, you're already googling scenic views from the Scottish Isles to feed your wanderlust. We've got you covered to make this trip one to remember!
If you are looking for more travel inspiration or insider travel tips, sign up for our monthly newsletter below:
Comments