ISLES OF LEWIS AND HARRIS

WHERE? In the Outer Hebrides. Though often referred to as two separate entities, rather confusingly, Lewis and Harris are actually one island. Lewis is the larger part in the north, and Harris is to the south. In summer, a car and passenger ferry runs from Skye to Harris, and there’s a regular ferry from Ullapool on the Scottish mainland to Lewis. Visit calmac.co.uk for more details about how to get there.

WHY? Consistently voted as having some of the best beaches in the world, many of Harris’ stretches of sand look like they’ve been whisked over from the Caribbean. Lluskentyre (pronounced lush-kin-cheer) has turquoise water and golden sand.

DON’T MISS The Calanais Standing Stones, left by early settlers 5,000 years ago. What were they built for? Investigate at the visitor centre, open Mon-Sat, 9.30am to 8pm, in summer.