Scotland makes up roughly one-third of the total landmass of the UK, including its 900 or so islands, of which only 90 are inhabited, and the furthest to reach are more than 100 miles from the mainland. Whilst Scotland receives plaudits for its beautiful scenery including the highlands, mountains and its many lochs and lakes, the islands are no exception to this praise. The isles of Scotland boast an added element of wild and untamed natural beauty that sets them apart from the rest of the country.
The islands are home to some of the most fascinating points of Scottish history, shifting control over thousands of years between indigenous tribes and seaborne invaders, culminating in the Viking Kingdom Of The Isles effectively controlling all the islands around Scotland for several centuries. Today, Scotland’s islands are a gateway to many thrilling adventures and the following are the ones that simply cannot be missed.
The Isle of Skye
Perhaps the most famous of Scotland’s beautiful islands, the Isle of Skye is known for its dramatic scenery and has major historical significance. Changing hands over many centuries between the native Picts, invading Gauls and Vikings, Skye has seen its fair share of dynasties rule the wild island, but none are as prominent as the MacLeods and MacDonalds. The two clans were bitter rivals, engaging in countless conflicts and disputes, whilst also finding themselves on the opposite sides of many other wars across both England and Scotland. The island played a prominent role in the Jacobite uprisings, facilitating the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie from the country in the aftermath of the disastrous Battle of Culloden.
With such a rich history, Skye contains several important sites to visit such as Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point Lighthouse and the Talisker Distillery, one of Scotland’s most successful whiskey exporters. However, it is the island's natural beauty which provides the greatest allure for travellers to this western isle. Blessed with incredible geological treasures such as the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, and the Fairy Pools, avid explorers will enjoy many hours spent hiking across the island.
Harris and Lewis
Harris and Lewis, though part of the same landmass, offer two distinct experiences. Unevenly divided by the island’s mountain range, Harris makes up a third of the territory and is mostly mountainous, but well known for the wonderful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters at Luskentyre and Scarista. Lewis, on the other hand, is much flatter, made up of rugged moorland but home to the deepest lake in the British Isles at Loch Suainebaht, at an impressive depth of 219 ft (66 metres). Lewis is also home to the Callanish Standing Stones, a neolithic monument dating back over 5,000 years, and comparable to England’s similar ancient site of Stonehenge.
Stornoway is the island’s main town and an ideal base for exploring them both. Originally founded by the Vikings in the 9th century AD, the town has a fascinating history, including the production of the isle’s most significant export, Harris Tweed. Made from pure virgin wool and then spun by hand, the production of Harris Tweed was of massive importance to both the island economy and Scotland’s, emerging as a major export after the Industrial Revolution. Even today, Harris Tweed is a prized fabric produced, and utilised by global brands such as Nike, Hugo Boss, Nordstrom and Dr Martens.
The Orkneys
The Orkneys are the second furthest north of Scotland’s many islands. Historically significant, the islands contain many important Neolithic and Iron Age sites such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, and Midhowe Broch. It is said that the ancient “King of The Orkneys” paid homage to Emperor Claudius following the successful Roman invasion of Britain. After an influx of Viking settlers arrived in the 7th century AD, the Orkneys were held as a territory of the Kingdom of Norway for almost 700 years, before being annexed by King James III of Scotland.
Fairly rugged, the isles' landscapes consist mostly of imposing cliffsides with natural monuments such as The Old Man of Hoy and flat, fertile farmland, which have proved the perfect grounds to cultivate two of the islands' signature products - scallops and cheese. The islands are also home to three whiskey distilleries, serving another of the Orkneys’ most significant exports. The capital of Kirkwall is a charming town with many beautiful stone houses and fascinating ruins, and home to the stunning St Magnus Cathedral, built from the islands' signature red and yellow sandstone.
The Isle of Jura
The Isle of Jura is one of the more remote Scottish islands, so much so that the 5,000 red deer on the island greatly outnumber the 200 or so human inhabitants. Dominated by the Paps of Jura mountains, it boasts a stunning array of wildlife, including predatory birds such as golden and white-tailed eagles, as well as grey seals and porpoises. The most noteworthy part of Jurra’s geography is the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home to one of the world’s largest whirlpools, and a thrilling spectacle to enjoy on the water from the safety of a guided boat.
One of Jura’s key attractions is the Jura Whiskey Distillery, and the secluded farmhouse at Barnhill, at which George Orwell completed his most acclaimed novel, 1984. Living on the island for three years, Orwell notably almost ran afoul of the Gulf of Corryvreckan’s tricky waters, when the boat he was travelling on across the gulf lost its motor and overturned. A lobster boat was on hand to provide rescue, but the author’s fondness for the island remained lifelong and today, fans of Orwell’s work can stay at Barnhill and re-tread his footsteps that led to the creation of his magnum opus.
The Isle of Arran
This is a dream destination for fans of geology, and often referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ due to its differing landscapes as a result of the Highland Boundary Fault. Visitors to Arran can experience all the highs and lows of Scotland’s incredible landscapes on one island, from fells and mountains to sandy beaches and dense forests. Popular destinations for explorers include Goat Fell Mountain, the island's highest peak, and the King’s Cave, its largest cavern.
Brodick Castle, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, is a beautiful Grade A listed building owned by the Scottish National Trust and open to the public. The ruins of Lochranza Castle, once occupied by Charles I and Oliver Cromwell (the heads of both factions during the English Civil War) are an ideal place for bird watchers wishing to catch a glimpse of golden eagles soaring high over the bay. Arran is famous for its signature oatcakes, which are made by the generational bakery Wooley’s, using a closely-guarded family recipe since the 19th century, that is the envy of many bakeries across Scotland.
The Shetland Isles
The furthest isles from Scotland’s mainland that travellers can reach lie northwest of the Orkneys. These rugged masses of jutting cliffs and vast open moors are known as The Shetland Isles and are some of the most beautiful of all the islands of Scotland. The Sands Of Yell, with its secluded beaches and crystalline waters, is one of the islands’ most photographed locations, along with the colonies of sea birds that nest at Hermaness Nature Reserve. The Shetland Isles are a captivating place to adventure to the furthest reaches of the UK, where life has evolved to look in some places, very different to the rest of the country.
The islands have their own unique identity due to their mixed Norse and Scottish heritage, resulting in a blending between the two cultures. Jarlshof, an archaeological site with structures dating from the Bronze Age to the Viking era, is one obvious example, and there are many towns, buildings and other parts of the islands with similar names derived from old Norse. The islands further preserve their heritage by continuing to celebrate some of their oldest traditions, such as the annual Up Helly Aa fire festival, an impressive Viking display complete with massive bonfires and reconstructed longboats.
