Best Scottish islands to visit
21.07.2023 - 08:41
/ roughguides.com
If asked to guess, how many islands would you say there are in Scotland? A few dozen perhaps, or a couple of hundred? Would you raise an eyebrow if we told you it’s actually more than 700? And that Scotland has more than 10% of Europe’s entire coastline? That’s a lot of islands to explore – and a whole lot of ferry journeys. So, which ones are worth crossing the seas to see? Here’s our guide to the finest Scottish islands.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to the Scottish Highlands & Islands , your essential guide for visiting Scottish islands.
To an Orkney islander “mainland” does not mean Scotland, but the largest among Scottish islands in this archipelago. This is where you’ll find one of Europe’s most important UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. This monument harks back to the prehistoric era, and you can stand among ancient stone circles or even lay a palm on a prehistoric monument at the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar.
You can delve further into the life of a Neolithic community at the surprisingly modern-looking Skara Brae. Each sunken dwelling here has stone beds, dressers and seats; add a roof and you could live in these homes today – albeit uncomfortably. The settlement dates back some 5000 years and was only uncovered by a storm in 1850, hence its excellent condition.
Nearby, Maeshowe is not to be missed. This is the finest building of its time in northwest Europe, a masterpiece of Neolithic design and stonework – also some 5000 years old. Enter the grassy mound and find yourself inside a perfectly constructed tomb, made in part with whole stone slabs weighing up to three tonnes.
The experience is truly magical, especially for three weeks before and after the winter solstice when sunlight floods the tomb each day at sunset, illuminating, in more ways than one, the intelligence of Neolithic man.
Find more accommodation options to stay on Orkney Islands
Ring of Brodgar, Orkney Islands © Jule_Berlin/Shutterstock
A well-worn cliché it may be, but Arran’s moniker “Scotland in miniature” sums it up: Arran is part Highland drama, part Lowland lushness. The Highland Boundary Fault runs right through this chunky island, a dramatic granite ridge that dominates the landscape and provides plenty of great hiking.
The temptation is always to head straight up to Goatfell, the highest peak on the island at 874 metres, and it's well worth doing if you’re fit enough and the weather is behaving. It takes about five hours from Brodick Castle, the most popular ascent starting point, and involves steep but fairly straightforward terrain. The view is an apt reward for the physical exertion; you even can see Ireland from here on a clear day.
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