Scottish Islands

Travel Guide

Isle of Mull featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbor
Stromness showing rocky coastline and tranquil scenes
Isle of Skye showing a lighthouse, rugged coastline and mountains
Isle of Mull which includes a bay or harbor, a coastal town and fishing
Isle of Skye showing hiking or walking, tranquil scenes and a river or creek

Surrounding the northern tip of the United Kingdom are nearly 800 individual islands, some inhabited, some not, but all beautiful. 

From rugged shoreline to rolling green pastures, the Scottish Islands offer outdoor vacations filled with adventure and serenity. Enjoy Scottish music, history, food and traditions as you hop between the Shetland, Orkney, Hebrides and hundreds of other islands in this northern archipelago.

Driving northwest from Scotland’s mainland, the Isle of Skye is one of the first islands you’ll encounter. It’s part of the Inner Hebrides, reachable by the Skye Bridge between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin. Visit clannish castles or take a walking or boating wildlife tour to see red deer, seals and dolphins. Near Portree, climb the Old Man of Storr. In August, watch the Skye Highland Games, with bagpipes, hammer throws and plenty of men and women dancing in kilts and argyle.

Ride a ferry or fly to the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, along the Atlantic Ocean. Appreciate special historical significance following the Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail, seeing places on Eriskay, South Uist and Benbecula that Prince Charles Edward Stewart visited in 1745. The natural beauty of beaches, lochs and rolling greens hasn’t changed much in 250 years, but you’ll find more spots today to eat fresh and smoked seafood and black pudding.

To the northeast, the Orkney Islands celebrate 5,000 years of history with the Standing Stones of Stenness rising 18 feet (6 meters) tall in a henge monument. Stroll along beaches with dunes, towering headlands and offshore shipwrecks.

Farther north are the Shetland Isles, with Viking history and iconic Shetland ponies. Paddle a sea kayak to observe otters and rare seabirds. In winter view the northern lights.

No matter which of the Scottish Islands you visit, you’ll find a delightful combination of havens of solitude and welcoming communities. Enjoy single malt whiskey and lamb, two of Scotland’s famous specialties. Listen to the charming lilt of local residents. Fly into Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow and drive or ride a bus to Skye in just over 5 hours. Use ferries to hop among the main inhabited islands.

Where to stay in Scottish Islands

Portree showing rugged coastline

Portree Town

If you're spending some time in Portree Town, Somerled Square and Portree Harbour are top sights worth seeing.

Portree Town
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Broadford

Unique features of Broadford include the restaurants and seaside views. Make a stop by Isle of Skye Market Square or Magpie while you're exploring the area.

Broadford
Talisker Distillery

Carbost

If you're spending some time in Carbost, Talisker Distillery and Isle of Skye Oysters are top sights worth seeing.

Carbost

Skinidin

While there might not be top attractions in Skinidin, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Dunvegan Castle and Skye Silver Gift Shop.

Skinidin

Edinbane

You might want to take some time to explore the restaurants and waterfront views in Edinbane, and Skeabost Golf Course is a top sight to see in the surrounding area.

Edinbane
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Breakish

Though Breakish might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Isle of Skye Market Square and Skye Bridge.

Breakish
Dunollie Hotel

Dunollie Hotel

3 out of 5
Broadford, Strath, Scotland
The price is P10,877 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P10,877
P13,052 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Strath. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (944 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Dunollie Hotel
Tongadale Hotel

Tongadale Hotel

3 out of 5
WENTWORTH ST, Portree, Scotland
The price is P11,392 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
P11,392
P13,670 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Portree. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (796 reviews)
Comfortable stay with complimentary breakfast
"I had a comfortable stay at the Tongadale hotel. It's an old building but well maintained. Room and bathroom were compact but comfortable. One thing to be careful about is the bathroom shower. Make sure you figure out how the hot and cold settings work before using the shower. Breakfast was really ..."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Tongadale Hotel
The Marmalade Hotel

The Marmalade Hotel

4 out of 5
HOME FARM ROAD, Portree, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P26,709 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P26,709
P32,052 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Portree. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (271 reviews)
"Good, old be well maintained hotel. A short distance from town-centre."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

The Marmalade Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ardcana

Ardcana

3.5 out of 5
23 Lower Breakish, Strath, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Strath. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Magpie and Giant MacAskill Musuem are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (68 reviews)
"This property is amazing. Just as pictured. It is a bit remote as it is off the main roadway a bit but that is part of what I loved. The views from the porch were gorgeous. I only had one need to contact the property manager about a question but was responded to very quickly. Would absolutely stay ..."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

Ardcana
House Of Juniper - The Cabins

House Of Juniper - The Cabins

2 out of 5
The Cabins, Lower Harrapool, Broadford, Strath, Scotland
Stay at this cabin in Strath. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a bar/lounge. Popular attractions Magpie and Isle of Skye Market Square are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (114 reviews)
Lovely stay at The House of Juniper Cabins
"The Cabins are in an excellent location and our stay was very comfortable. Our cabin had a view of the bay which made it that bit nicer! It was very spacious compared to some other similar style cabins we have stayed in before. They were also a reasonable distance apart from one another. It includes ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

House Of Juniper - The Cabins
Armadale Castle Cabins

Armadale Castle Cabins

4 out of 5
Armadale, Sleat, Sleat, Scotland
Stay at this cabin in Sleat. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Armadale Ferry Terminal and Museum of the Isles are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
"Beautiful view and beautiful property."

Reviewed on May 28, 2025

Armadale Castle Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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