Flow for it: escape to the wild beauty of Scotland’s isles
INNER HEBRIDES The Small Isles of Canna, Muck, Eigg and Rum are beautiful little outposts, while Raasay, although just 14 miles from north to south is one of the most geologically diverse landmasses in the world.
However the largest and most famous of the Inner Hebrides is the Isle of Skye which is, arguably, one of Scotland’s most famous west coast islands. The ‘misty isle’ is a place so steeped in mythology that it can be difficult to separate the myths from history, fact from fiction, and in this Year of Stores, there’s never been a better time to visit Skye. Tales of warriors and witches abound on this island which was home to the legendary mythical warrior queen Scáthach whose ruined Fortress of Shadows, Dunscaith Castle, still stands today in the south of the island on the Sleat peninsula.
The unspoiled Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, form an archipelago whose main islands are Lewis and Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula and Barra.
With over 5,000 years of history and a unique culture, these islands hold so many stories for you to uncover, not least the mysteries of the Calanais Standing Stones on Lewis, which predate Stonehenge.
For other exciting tales, check out the Seanachas (storytelling) programme at the An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway.
The Outer Hebrides are the wellspring of Gaelic culture in Scotland and the lyrical language is still heard everywhere here. Wildlife abounds (see the whales and white-tailed eagles), the beaches rival the Caribbean, and the food and drink is superb.
If you’ve seen Whisky Galore, filmed on Barra, and been inspired by the real-life sinking of the SS Politician, you can also unpick fact from fiction – and search for one of the bottles of whisky still
said to be hidden on the island.