Scottish Isles

Scotland has around 800 islands, divided between three main groups – Orkney and Shetland to the north, and the Inner and Outer Hebrides to the west. Travelling between them is easy using the extensive network of the Caledonian MacBrayne – known simply as CalMac – ferry network in the west, and Northlink and Orkney Ferries to the north. Places to stay – hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages – are plentiful on the main islands and principal tourist centres, or you can take a tour with an operator like St Hilda's Sea Adventures, who offer blissful cruises between the islands of the west coast.