The Scottish Islands

Islands are by definition places set apart by the sea. They are locations to retreat from the busyness, a choice made towards a gentler pace of life. For the adventurer the appeal of an island is to thoroughly explore a limited area.

Having grown our repertoire of island adventures, we have classified these altogether for ease of comparison. This is an introduction to the more popular island destinations reached by Roaming Scotland, with links through the ‘Learn More’ button to see some of the possibilities. We do go to other islands too not featured in this list.

Isle of Skye - 4 days

By far the best known and most visited of the Scottish islands. The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing have rock formations that seem made for a fantasy movie set. Taking the fantasy theme further, place names like the ‘Fairy Glen’ and the ‘Fairy Pools’ help create an aura of wonderment. Having become hugely popular, expect large car parks and long lines of people all traipsing to and fro to reach these hotspots! However, if you’re looking for something quieter on Skye, and still as spectacular, we will take you to the unspoilt and will find you accommodation well off the beaten track.

Southern Hebrides: 5-days

Islay, Jura & Colonsay.

This diverse group of three neighbouring islands are full of vivid contrasts. Our 5-day tour and walk ensures sufficient time to appreciate those differences with quality time to enjoy lonely stretches of sandy beaches, seascapes dotted with islands and nearby towering hills. We start on the busiest of the three: Islay, majoring on the Celtic past of Irish saints and the Lords of the Isles, enjoying also the wild side of this populated island. Then a day on the very wild Jura, walking out into remote landscapes. Finally, tamer Colonsay presents a fitting finale when traversing the Strand at low water to enjoy the ancient ruins of a Celtic monastery on remote Oronsay.

The Isle of Arran - 4 days

One of the most accessible islands from Glasgow and Edinburgh, but with a feel of a thousand miles away. Arran offers the contrasts of the whole of Scotland with rugged high hills and rolling green countryside, beaches and caves, forests and waterfalls. History and legend abound too, harking all the way back to the fascinating mystery of pre-historic times. This is a charming island of pretty seaside villages and offers a host of walks of varying abilities.

The Shetland Isles - 5 to 7 days

The remote Shetland Isles lie to the far north of Scotland where you’ll encounter a more Nordic culture, bird life and wild expanses of coastal hikes. The place is rich in history going back 5,000 years with some sites re-used throughout human occupation, like the many-layered settlement at Jarlshof. There is much to see and experience up here and we can take you to wild places and many an island.

Isle of Mull - 5 days

The unsung hero of the Inner Hebrides, Mull is gentler than Skye, and yet is still dramatic. Mull provides the perfect alternative to Skye for exploring a similar sized island that is mountainous and has superb sea cliffs. As pretty as it is wild, its lovely woodlands, glens and lochs will delight. This tour also visits the fascinating smaller islands of Iona with its abbey that Columba founded in AD563; and Staffa with the highly acclaimed Fingal’s Cave. This adventure connects with the finest scenery and history, walking rugged coasts, through woods to waterfalls, and exploring the ancient Neolithic and Celtic past.

The Outer Hebrides: 7-days

from one end to the other.

If you like expansive horizons and isolated shorelines of white sands backed by wild hills, then this is the tour for you. This itinerary takes in the full length of the Outer Hebrides, travelling with walks from Barra to Lewis. Encounters with the gently spoken Gaelic locals makes you aware that you’ve arrived in a different culture. These remote islands have an other-worldly feel with their absence of trees and huge skyscapes. The tour connects with many fine white sand beaches and atmospheric Neolithic and early Celtic ruins. The sea is pristine, offering up colours more associated with tropical waters.

The Orkney Isles: 5 days

Orkney offers many pre-historic sites to explore, prolific in Neolithic sites ranging from standing stones, chambered burial cairns and the homes our ancient ancestors inhabited 5,000 years ago. Orkney is a profusion of islands, surprisingly fertile and therefore dotted with farms. Its rugged coastal scenery, pounded by the meeting of seas, makes for an inspirational setting offering fine walks and the opportunity to admire the colonies of seabirds.

The Small Isles - Rum, Eigg and Canna: 3-5 days.

The voyage to the Small Isles is an experience of truly getting away from it all. The scenery and sense of space is truly exceptional with the mountainous Isle of Rum forming a magnificent backdrop. This compact region has contrasting scenery from wild mountains to gentle green pastures, all superbly set off by the moody Atlantic. Early Christian communities have left a fascinating footfall on Canna and Eigg.

‘Scottish Island Bagging’.

A new book in 2019 featuring the 99 islands that are reasonably accessible and 55 more for the true adventurer. A great resource for future adventures and discovery!

For more insights:

Read our blog: New Island Destinations

Not finding what you’re looking for?

Contact us and we are likely to be able to put together your ideal island tour.

View ‘Scottish Highlands’ for mainland based tour with walks, some of which include trips to islands.

Search Tours & Walks in the Scottish Highlands

Booking:

• Send us your tour selection and date range.

• A private trip is £360/day/group, or 330/day/group when the tour is 7 days or more. These rates exclude accommodation and the smaller costs of ferries and admissions to tourist sites.

• We'll pick the group up from most places in mainland Scotland and return you there. Do enquire if you’re starting from another place.