ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR ISLAND-HOPPING JOURNEY

Hopscotch tickets are valid for 31 days and are available from Caledonian MacBrayne (0800 066 5000; calmac.co.uk/islandhopping).

Journeys may be taken in either direction.

Advance booking on some routes is strongly recommended, particularly in summer.

Price for a car and two adults from £50 (Dh233).

There is more to Scottish islands than lazing on beaches. Watch eagles in flight and sheepdog trials, stride heather-clad hills and explore exotic gardens, then look out for Highland games.

Wildlife

The Outer Hebrides has the highest recorded density of golden eagles in Europe, and a bird of prey trail links 13 locations for spotting them, along with white-tailed sea eagles, hen harriers and short-eared owls. There are more basking sharks in waters off the west of Scotland than anywhere else in the world, most likely seen around the Inner Hebrides and Arran. A pod of killer whales stalks seals around Skye, minke whales cruise between Skye and Mull, and dolphins are everywhere. Moorlands and forests are the realm of red deer stags, iconic “Monarchs of the Glen”, particularly on Mull and Jura.

Gardens

The relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream nurture exotic plants, cultivated in Victorian formal gardens. The ruins of Armadale Castle in Skye are set among 40 acres of mature gardens and woodland, and Jura House has one of the few remaining, active walled gardens with an extensive range of ornamental plants. Colonsay House has one of the country’s finest rhododendron collections, and renowned Achamore Gardens on the Isle of Gigha (a short ferry ride from Kintyre) has woodland walks, exotics, herbaceous borders and a bamboo maze.

Activities

Join the fun at walking, music and book festivals throughout the islands, and mingle with pipe bands and kilted heavyweights tossing cabers at Highland games. For sporty types there are hill races, cycle sportives, and golf challenges, and agricultural shows invariably end with ceilidhs in village halls. Highlights include the Hebridean Celtic festival on Lewis, the South Harris Agricultural Show, Islay festival of music, and the Mull Highland Games. Most events are listed on island websites.