Scotland Peter Irvine’s the best
Intriguing islands For walks, cycling, dining or just a break from it all, Scotland’s islands don’t fail to hit the mark
Raasay
A small car ferry (car useful, but bikes best) from Sconser (between Portree and Broadford) on Skye takes you to Raasay. The distinctive flat top of Dun Caan presides over an island whose history and natural history is Highland Scotland in microcosm. The village Inverarish, with rows of mining-type cottages, is 1km from the new jetty, which is by the “big house”, home to the excellent outdoor centre. Raasay House is also a hotel, café/bar, restaurant and library. The views from the lawn, or the viewpoint above the house, or better still from Dun Caan with the Cuillin on one side and Torridon on the other, are exceptional.
Iona
It has 150,000 visitors a year, but Iona still enchants, especially if you can get away to the Bay at the Back of the Ocean or sit in one
of the many gardens. Everything about Iona is benign; even the sun shines here when it’s raining on Mull.
Eigg
Run by a community (heritage) trust, this small island seems in robust health, with the first wind/water and solar-powered electricity grid in the world, and a growing, proactive population that many other islands would (and possibly will) die for. A wildlife haven for birds and sealife; otters, eagles and seal colonies. There’s a tearoom at the pier; home baking, licensed; evening meals in summer. Sue Kirk runs the shop and Lageorna, which has a restaurant. Great walk to Sgurr An Eigg, awesome on a summer’s day.
St Kilda
There’s nothing quite like St Kilda...anywhere. By far the most remote and removed of the islands here, it is an expedition to reach and one of a physical, cultural and spiritual nature. A spectacular World Heritage site, run by NTS, you will be among many photographers, birdwatchers, archaeologists and divers (very clear waters).