Welcome to the “Hawaii of the North” – no, seriously. This
laid-back Inner Hebridian isle might not offer the warmth of its
Pacific twin, but with gin-clear waters and 74km of
scallop-coloured sands, Tiree gives the subtropics a run for their
money. Regularly buffeted by North Atlantic swells, the island has
impressive beach breaks throughout the year, but in summer, long
daylight hours stretch beach days late into the evening. We’re
booking a room at the intimate Reef Inn for a
relaxed island guesthouse stay, and spending evenings at the Reef’s
restaurant to scoff Tiree’s best pizzas and grilled local seafood,
and enjoy a can (or three) of local craft beer.

Orkney’s largest island is a must-visit for modern witches.
Myths and mystery swirl across this storied isle, fuelled by the
numerous Neolithic remains that pockmark its bracken-cloaked moors
and granite-stacked coastal cliffs. Legend has it that the main
island was created when a tooth of the slain Stoor Worm, a
monstrous sea serpent, fell into the sea. If it’s your first time
on Mainland, we’d recommend heading west. Here, fields are dotted
with prehistoric sites such as the 5,000-year-old village of Skara
Brae and the Standing Stones of Stenness. The island capital,
Kirkwall, is a warren of sandstone and siltstone cottages, shadowed
by the majestic bulk of St Magnus Cathedral. Make your base
The Storehouse, a former herring and pork
curing plant transformed into a boutique inn with a tiptop
restaurant attached. We’d wager magic is involved in its hand-dived
Orkney scallops and tomato consommé dish – it’s that good.

Wandering down the white-sand beaches of Gigha in summer, you’d
be forgiven for thinking the shallow, turquoise waters and curving
coves looked more Isles of Scilly than Scotland. But the
community-owned Gigha is very much of the tartan. Sat at the
southern end of the long fray of Hebridean Islands on the country’s
west coast, it’s just a 20-minute ferry ride from the Kintyre
peninsula, but feels further. Start explorations in Ardminish, the
island’s sole village, where you’ll be able to rent a bike (and
grab an early lunch of prawn baps and smoked Gigha halibut bagels
at The Nook). Then, set off to explore the blousy summer
excesses of Achamore Gardens and the lichen-licked ruins of the
13th-century Kilchatten Chapel. In the afternoon, the northern
coast’s heather-framed beaches beckon. Later, stroll back to the
cosy Beach View Cottage on the western coastline to
freshen up, before venturing across to The Boathouse,
a waterside restaurant that serves crab straight from the
creel.

Despite its diminutive size, Arran is the largest island in the
Firth of Clyde – and Scotland’s seventh biggest. Less than three
hours from Glasgow (including the ferry ride), the North Ayrshire
isle resembles the Highlands in miniature, complete with
moss-covered lowlands, rocky crags and heather-blanketed hills.
Bring your hiking boots; some of the most breathtaking trails
include walks to the ancient standing stones on Machrie Moor, and
clambering up the granite steeple of Cir Mhor, a majestic mountain
in Scotland’s smallest mountain range. Dinners on Arran inevitably
involve seafood. Our pick? Mara Fish Bar & Deli, a fancy takeaway spot
in Corrie on the island’s north-east coast, that boxes up fresh
catches from island waters in inventive ways. Once you’ve had your
fill of chimichurri-doused lobster, hand-dived scallops, and
langoustines bathed in Café de Paris butter, make tracks down the
coast to roost for the night: the inviting Altbeg promises an evening nightcap by an open
fire.

Jura is a raw, rugged isle licked by fierce, untameable seas,
home to more deer than humans, and capped with soaring, bald-headed
mountains and desolate tawny wilderness. Life is hard here – and
making whisky, even harder. Yet, this Inner Hebridean isle is
famous for its golden nectar. On a visit, book in for a tour of the
whitewashed local distillery (the only one on the island) to
learn about mash, maturation and the distinctive ingredients that
go into every dram of Jura (the distillers claim the water from the
island mountain range, the Paps of Jura, gives the single malt its
unique flavour notes). Then, pull on your hiking boots to explore
the island’s remote edges, à la George Orwell, who once lived in
these isolated hills. Whisky lovers will want to make the
pilgrimage to Islay, a five-minute ferry ride from Jura, to sample
peaty whiskies at its eight renowned distilleries. We’re more
inclined to head to our lodgings for the night, Mrs Leonard’s
Cottage, where a wood-fired hot tub awaits.

At only 5km long and 2km wide, the windswept isle of Iona, off
the west coast of Mull, in the Scottish Highlands, might be tiny,
but word of its beauty has spread, drawing some 130,000 travellers
to its screensaver-worthy shores annually. Subject since 1978 to a
“Prohibition of Vehicles” order, the island promises city escapees
a profoundly tranquil experience, with no car engines to compete
with the sound of seagulls and waves lapping against blonde sand.
An important Christian site, thanks to this being the first place
that St Columba set foot in Scotland, Iona is also something of a
craft mecca. Explore examples of the fishing and crofting
community’s historic output at Iona Heritage Centre, then browse the
contemporary equivalent at the 1965-opened Iona Craft
Shop, which stocks a thoughtfully curated range of artisanal
products including a miniature fishing boat in a bottle, chunky
socks in vibrant yarns and handmade jewellery by local silversmith
Eleanor MacDougall. Bed down on a family-run working croft at
Iona Pods, whose
10 timber-frame glamping units contain luxurious beds and all mod
cons, with WiFi throughout the site.

Pack a picnic and get back to nature on one of Scotland’s most
under-the-radar islands, the stunning nature reserve of Handa, off
the Sutherland coast, in the country’s remote north-west. In
summer, a small passenger ferry runs daily from Tarbet on the
mainland to the sugar-white beaches of Port an Eilean and Traigh an
Teampaill on Handa’s eastern shores. The island’s soaring cliffs
are home to 100,000 breeding seabirds, including guillemots,
kittiwakes, Arctic terns and puffins, making this one of north-west
Europe’s largest colonies. Stroll from the ferry landing point to
the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s visitor centre –
keeping eyes peeled for passing minke whales, basking sharks and
dolphins – to explore a collection spanning animal bones to
historic island literature – and where binoculars can be hired.
Fallen in love with the island and want to stay longer?
Opportunities exist to volunteer on the reserve, from a week at a
time to a series of assistant ranger placements, lasting from 8-21
weeks.

Travel to the shimmering sands of this Outer Hebridean island by
air and your arrival will be dictated by the tides, Barra Airport
being home to the only commercial beach landing in the world. But
whether you opt for a high-octane entrance or choose to catch the
ferry from Oban, you’ll find a palpable sense of community on this
small island, along with tales of a wild seafaring history at
Kisimul Castle and spectacular coastal bike trails (rental
available from Barra Bike Hire, in Castlebay). Sandy footprints are
always forgiven at the 39-key Isle of Barra
Beach Hotel. Shower and then make a beeline for the hotel’s
modern restaurant, whose vast floor-to-ceiling windows overlook
Halaman Bay – best seen ablaze, at sunset – and where a seasonally
led menu showcases superlative island beef, lamb and seafood.