There are 95 inhabited islands in Scotland with a total population of just under 100,000. Each of these unique islands has something different to offer visitors, and exploring this area of the UK is bound to be an adventure!
Cheap flights, accommodation and holidays to Scotland's Islands
Skye
Portree, the island capital, has a picturesque, pastel cottage-lined harbour. To the north is the Trotternish peninsula, home to startling geological features such as the Quirang, Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. However, it is the Cuillin that is the most outstanding feature on Skye - the peaks, visible from all over the island, are a paradise for walkers and climbers.
Shetland
This collection of islands is an incredible place with so much to do. Whether walking, windsurfing, fishing, cycling, beachcombing, bird-watching, scuba-diving, sailing, whale-watching, surfing or kayaking, Mainland Shetland has something to suit every visitor.
Orkney
Orkney is a truly unique destination. A deep sense of history can be felt everywhere in the 70 or so scattered islands that make up the archipelago, islands where life is defined by the past and sculpted by the sea.
The Outer Hebrides
Lewis is the largest and northern-most island in the Outer Hebrides, home to one of the best prehistoric sites in Scotland, and some fabulous beaches. Harris also has magnificent and extensive beaches, and is in fact part of one island, joined with Lewis to the north. Harris itself is divided into North and South Harris, by a narrow isthmus.
The island of North Uist is characterised by its 'drowned landscape' of peat bogs and lochans, and its string of bountiful beaches. Visitors arrive by ferry at Lochmaddy, once a major herring fishing port. There are several prehistoric sites nearby, such as the huge chambered burial cairn of Barpa Langais.
South Uist is a relatively large island lying between Barra and Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. The east side of South Uist is mountainous, the highest point being 2034ft Beinn Mhor. The west is characterised by some of the best beaches anywhere - a long line of sandy stretches backed by dunes and flower-filled machair. The island's main settlement, and port, is at Lochboisdale on the east coast.
Benbecula is small, flat, low-lying and dotted with lochs and lochans.
