The Islands

There are 3 main groups of Islands located in Scotland. These are the Hebrides, Orkney Islands, and the Shetland Islands.

Areas

The Hebrides

The Hebrides are split into two regions – the Inner Hebrides (Skye, Mull, Lismore, Islay, Jura, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, Small Isles) and the Outer Hebrides (Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, Saint Kilda)

There are several towns and villages in the Hebrides. These are:

Stornoway – on the Isle of Lewis

Bowmore – on Islay

Castlebay – the main village on Barra

Craighouse – on the Isle of Jura

Portree – on the Isle of Skye

Tarbet – the main village on Harris

Tobermory – on Mull

Orkney

The Orkney Islands are an archipelago of approximately 70 islands approximately 10 miles (16km) off the northern coast of Scotland. These include:

Mainland (Orkney) – Orkney’s largest Island and where 2/3 of the Isles population resides.

Rousay – Sometimes known as the Egypt of the North, there are a large congregation of archaeological sites here.

Hoy – The high island.

Eday – The isthmus island.

Sanday – aptly named the sand island for its sandy beaches.

Westray

Papa Westray – Home to the oldest site in Orkney, Knap of Honour.

North Ronaldsay

Shapinsay – Home to Balfour Castle.

Flotta – Location of the oil terminal.

Egilsay

Wyre

Stronsay

Lambholm

Glimsholm

Burray

South Ronaldsay

Towns and villages in the Orkney Islands:

Kirkwall – The administrative capitol of the Orkney’s

Stromness – Attractive port and Orkney’s second town.

Birsay

Lyness

St Margaret’s Hope

Shetland

The Shetland Islands are an archipelago in Scotland, comprised of over 100 islands, of which 15 are inhabited. Shetland is located more than 100 miles north of the Scottish mainland.

Islands in the Shetlands:

Mainland (Shetland) – the main island in the group

Burra

Trondra

Yell

Unst – the northernmost island in Scotland

Fetlar

Whalsay

Out Skerries

Bressay

Papa Stour

Foula

Fair Isle

Towns & Villages in the Shetlands:

Lerwick – the largest town and main port.

Scalloway – the historic capitol of Shetland.

Baltasound

Brae

Hillswick

Sumburgh

Walls

Voe

Transport

The main transport to and from all of the Islands is by boat and plane for obvious reasons.

Getting to/from/around the Hebrides:

By Boat – Most ferries to the Hebrides are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, otherwise known as CalMac. Ferries are quite cheap for foot passengers to the Hebrides, but can be expensive for cars or other vehicles.

The port of Oban on the main island is a main transport hub, with ferry connections to Barra, South Uist, Mull, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, and other islands. Further north in the port of Mallaig, there are ferry services to the small isles.

It is also possible to drive to Skye via the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.

By Plane – In the Outer Hebrides there are airports in Stornoway, Benbecula, and Barra. These airports provide direct flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. The airport in Barra is spectacular, with planes landing on a 3 mile beach at low tide.

When on the islands themselves, the road networks are small but of a not bad standard, and link all the major settlements. The best way to really enjoy the islands however, is by foot.

Getting to/from/around the Orkney Islands:

By Plane – Flybe offers flights to Kirkwall from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, and Sumburgh. Air service is operated by Loganair.

By Boat – Most ferries to/from/and around the Orkney Islands are operated by Northlink, Pentland, and John O’Groats ferries.

Again, like the Hebrides, the best way to get around the islands is often by foot.

Getting to/from/around the Shetland Islands:

By Boat – Northlink Ferries provide a daily passenger and vehicle transport service between Lerwick and Aberdeen. The service is an overnight crossing, and occasionally calls at Kirkwall in Orkney.

By Plane – Loganair provide the only scheduled air service to the Scottish mainland. This operates from Sumburgh Airport, 30 miles south of Lerwick. Flights operate to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Kirkwall. Atlantic Airlines provide a twice weekly service to (June to October) to London Stansted. Currently, this route is suspended; however it may take place again in 2010.

Getting around the inhabited islands is easy via regular ferries, operated by Shetland council. Loganair operates flights from Tingwall Airport to the islands Foula, Out Skerries, Papa Stour, and the Fair Isle.

Things to See & Do

Shetland Ponies – Shetland is home to a number of unique animals. Shetland ponies are short, stout little horses, with a rotund stomach, measuring waist-high to an average person.

Chickimin Broch – Thousands of years old, this ancient broch can be found on Lerwick jutting out into a loch. It is a maze of passageways and tunnels that lace the interior of stone walls.

Shetland Museum and Archives – A modern museum, the Shetland Museum provides a detailed background to the history of the Shetland Islands, from its volcanic beginnings to the present day.

The Shetland Folk Festival – Held annually during the month of May, concerts are held in pubs and halls all over the mainland (Shetland) and outlying islands.

Sea Kayaking – This particular activity is seasonal, but can be great when the weather is right.

Neolithic Structures – Awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1999, the heart of Neolithic Orkney includes; Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stennes. Orkney’s World Heritage also includes a number of unexcavated burial, ceremonial, and settlement sites.

The Orkney Folk Festival – May

St Magnus Festival – June

Orkney International Science Festival – September

Diving – Most German World War 1 Imperial Fleet were scuttled in Scapa Flow, and offers excellent opportunities to dive.

The Northern Lights – The Northern Lights are frequently visible from the Hebridean Islands. Due to the low population, there is an absence of light pollution to affect this.

Old Man of Storr – One of the most famous sights.

Dunvegan Castle

Kilt Rock and Waterfall

Loch Curuisk

MacLeod’s Maidens – Skye’s coast off the Dunvegan road

Isle of Skye Music Festival – Taking place in mid-June, this event features both regional and international bands, playing popular music.

Learn Scottish Gaelic at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye’s famous Gaelic college.

Where to Stay

There are many little inns, and B&Bs littered throughout the Islands, many of which are not on any online booking websites due to the high price for advertising. For the most authentic stay in the islands, ask around locally to find the best place to stay.

There is so much that could be written about Scotland’s Islands! Providing some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer, a trip to the islands is a unique experience, and unlike anything else you will experience in the UK.