Treasured Scottish Islands

Get off to a great start on one of mainland Scotland’s best driving routes. Head north from Glasgow and you won’t believe how soon you’re in vast landscapes; skirt Loch Lomond, traverse the ‘Arrochar Alps’, drive the shores of Loch Fyne and drop down to the Kintyre peninsula on your way to port for your first ferry crossing, to the ‘whisky island’ of Islay.

Your Accommodation on Islay

Just three miles from Port Askaig, jumping off point for the Isle of Jura, your accommodation on Islay is a long-established family-run inn serving hearty homemade food alongside comfortable accommodation and a great selection of whisky.

The southernmost Hebridean island, Islay features huge contrasts in its landscape and atmosphere. Roads – many single-track – are generally well maintained, so touring by car is a great way to see the whole island. Discover the Rhinns on the south-west of the island, dotted with pretty hamlets and secluded Atlantic Ocean beaches; twitchers will love the north-west with its nature reserve at Loch Gruinart and the far flung Kilnave Chapel, scene of gruesome 16th century conflict; and don’t miss the basking population often spotted at appropriately named Seal Bay in the south-east. 

Some of the most famous names in whisky call Islay their home, some with history stretching back over 200 years. The famously peaty dram produced on the island is surely best experienced at source, and we’ll provide you with information on our favourite tour or two should you fancy a day by the mash tun.

Mere minutes from Islay by tiny car ferry, long and narrow Isle of Jura, once called home by George Orwell, is today populated by under 200 souls – alongside some 5000 red deer – and one of Scotland’s freshest single malts. Triple peaks the Paps of Jura attract Munro-baggers from far and wide, with gentler scenic walking routes spearing out from main settlement Craighouse. 

Your Accommodation on Jura

Within mere steps of the eponymous distillery, your accommodation on Jura is the very friendliest of family owned hotels, with a relaxed, homely feel throughout. Sat in the bar, feet warmed by the log fire taking in views over palm trees (palm trees!) across the water to the shores of Argyll, the cares of modern life easily melt away. Recently upgraded, the restaurant serves an imaginative menu of locally sourced delights, while simple, cosy bedrooms ensure a great night’s sleep.

Prepare your sea legs today, as you take an hour long trip on the waters around Jura in the capable hands of a hugely experienced local boatman. Travelling on open RIB, you might be lucky to spot local sea-life including dolphins, porpoises, seals and the occasional minke whale, as well as the sea eagles that patrol the skies. 

Two ferry crossings today – including one of the shortest in Scotland. First, make your way back to Islay – a five minute crossing – from where you catch the service returning to Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula. Head north on one of our favourite Highland driving routes; skirt Loch Fyne and ascend from Tarbert to Lochgilphead before scything through Kilmartin Glen, ancient seat of Scots kings and home to a wealth of prehistoric features. From here, the road pitches and yaws through striking scenery on its way to the lively town of Oban, home to the ferry port for your crossing to the Isle of Mull. Once on Mull, head for its south-western tip, in the shadow of Ben More, along the shores of Lochs Beg and Scridain on your way to the legendary spiritual island of Iona.

Your Accommodation on Iona 

Just a few short steps from the jetty, your accommodation on Iona is an independent hotel, absolutely central to island life. Squeezed in to the the terrace that makes up the main village street, the welcome is as warm as the roaring fire, with accommodation and hearty food to match.

A definite holiday highlight today; after breakfast, board the small family run craft for a cruise out to the evocative island of Staffa. On the way, you’ll often spot superb sealife, perhaps including dolphins, porpoises and minke whales, while the approach to the island couldn’t be more dramatic, with basalt columns standing guard over the entrance to Fingal’s and Clamshell Cave. If you’re lucky with the weather you’ll have the chance to land and explore, as well as getting up close with the island’s vast colony of puffins here from May to early August.

Back to Mull this morning and a day to explore this fascinating island. From Fionnphort, we love to take the West coast route, dotted with often deserted coves, a terrific waterfall, and giving fine views of the islands of Gometra, Ulva (reachable by short ferry crossing) and Eorsa.

A little further will take you past the pale sands and turquoise water of Calgary Bay and along the Alpinesque driving route from ancient Dervaig to the multicoloured capital of Tobermory.

Your Accommodation on Mull

Just south of Tobermory, set back from the road in beautifully kept grounds, this country house property couldn’t be any more appealing. Owned and run by the very friendliest of families, the house has undergone recent extensive upgrade, its five en-suite rooms enjoying attention to every last detail. A wonderful place to stay.

As well as the fine accommodation, you’ll love the breakfast on offer here, taken in the impressive dining room, light streaming in through huge windows overlooking the gardens. After breakfast, you’ll meet up with a superb local wildlife guide and taken on a half day tour of the island’s wildlife hotspots, where otter, deer, seals, eagles and buzzards are just a few of the species you could encounter. 

The perfect opportunity to take stock today, with no travel and no excursions; perhaps you’d like to simply relax or stroll in the garden, or further explore the island? Some hardy souls might even venture for some wild swimming. We’ll provide all the information you need to make the most of your time.

From Tobermory, catch the ferry across the northern entrance of the Sound of Mull to the tiny port of Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Not far from here you’ll find the UK mainland’s westernmost point – surely worth a detour for the notebook. Then, heading east, the road follows the edge of Loch Sunart on the way to the crossing on the tiny Corran ferry across Loch Linnhe. Once across, follow the southern shores of the loch, across Ballachulish Bridge to your final base in peaceful Port Appin.

Your Accommodation in Port Appin

Beloved of the local population, and the kind of place to which visitors return again and again, your accommodation in this chocolate-box location on Loch Linnhe is a stylish hotel featuring a quite superb seafood restaurant. Here amidst the rare beauty of Scotland’s west coast, with views of tiny Lismore and atmospheric Mull, you’ll find the perfect place at which to round off your Scottish holiday.

After breakfast, take the short foot-passenger ferry from right outside your hotel door, across Loch Linnhe to the island of Lismore. Famously fertile, the island once supported a populace of some 1500, with around 200 calling Lismore home today. Once landed, you’ll be met by a friendly and knowledgeable local guide, who’ll really bring the history and current life of the island to life. Viking castles, ancient religious ruins and Pictish settlements nestle by tiny coves on crystal water – and you’ll often have the whole place to yourself.

A last day on the road, if you’re heading south, you’ll spear through the vast, intimidating valley of Glencoe, across wild Rannoch Moor and along the banks of Loch Lomond on your way to the motorway near Glasgow. What a way to end your trip.