Scottish Islands Holidays 2025

Around 100 islands comprise Shetland, with 16 of them inhabited and others accessible by boat. On Mainland the capital, Lerwick is home to the Shetland Museum and Archives while nearby, Scalloway’s excellent museum tells of the top-secret WWII Shetland Bus operation. Further south on Mainland are the seabird colonies of Sumburgh Head; Old Scatness, a recently excavated Iron Age village; and the archaeological treasures of Jarlshof. See also, the Zenith of Iron Age Shetland, Fair Isle, Unst, Foula, Fetlar and Whalsay.

Orkney has sites and cultural attractions across 70 islands, of which just 16 are inhabited. On Mainland, in the capital Kirkwall, see St Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney Museum and Bishop’s and Earl’s palaces. In Stromness find the Pier Arts Centre, while in West Mainland, discover beautiful Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes Skara Brae, Europe’s best-preserved Stone Age village; the Ring of Brodgar; the Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe chambered tomb. See also Hoy, the Brough of Birsay’s Norse ruins, Rousay’s archaeological sites; and North Ronaldsay.

In the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Lewis teems with history, heritage, wilderness, wildlife, arts, crafts, crofting culture and even adrenaline-fuelled adventure. Bustling Stornoway brags historic Lews Castle, while in Uig you can taste the true spirit of the islands at the Uig Abhainn Dearg Distillery. Check out also Ardroil sands, Garry Beach, Bosta on Great Bernera or the Flannan Islands for wonderful wildlife. Another must-see are the Callanish Standing Stones.