While most people immediately take pictures of Edinburgh and thus the Highlands or Tartan and Tweed as soon as they look at Scotland, the northern nation is truly home to a number of stunningly beautiful islands. 

In total, there are over 900 offshore Islands to explore, with the captivating archipelagos of the Shetland, Orkney, and the inner and outer Hebrides its four main groups.

Among the endless Scottish islands are some that are very mountainous in nature, while others are flat and fertile. 

While some are isolated and inhospitable, others have been inhabited for hundreds of years, if not millennia, with phenomenal prehistoric sites and crumbling castles and churches scattered across their picturesque shores. 

Other islands in Scotland still offer incredible coasts with steep cliffs and sea stacks, which can be found alongside beautiful beaches and secluded and sheltered coves.

 With so much going on for you, it could take a lifetime to explore all of Scotland’s impressive islands. Where to stay in Scotland tripline tours.

Staffa

Another of the incredible islands of the Inner Hebrides is Staffa, which is lined by many spectacular and steep sea cliffs.

 So named by the Vikings thanks to the similarity of its basalt columns to the staves of their log houses, the uninhabited island is often visited by ferry from the nearby Isle of Mull.

Of volcanic origin, the isolated island can be a pleasure to sail to because of its fascinating cliffs with its outstanding sight is the fabulous Fingal Cave. 

Near the southern tip of the island is the Cave Cave, which consists of many stunning basalt columns that look very similar to the famous Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland .

Moreover, Staffa has many other sensational sea caves for visitors with some quiet scenery and bird life also to see at the fair. Over the years, many kings, writers, and celebrities have visited the impressive island that is now a national nature reserve.

Lewis and Harris

Impressive enough, Lewis and Harris is that the third largest island within the British Isles is larger with only Britain and Ireland. 

Although they are often mentioned as separate entities, they form two pretty parts of an equivalent island, with the low-lying islands in the north standing out wonderfully from the rugged and mountainous mountains in the south.

It is located within the Outer Hebrides and has been inhabited for thousands of years, with many clans viewing it as their ancestral home.

 Therefore, a variety of wonderful historical sites with centuries-old churches and castles are scattered next to Iron Age houses and stone circles.

 the most famous and photographed are the Callanish Stones, because the remarkable ritual site and its circle of standing stones are so well preserved.

In addition, its rugged coastline has many glittering white sandy beaches where you can enjoy some great water sports off the coast. 

With a scenic peat plateau for hiking, charming coastal towns to drive by, and beautiful lunar landscapes and lakes to explore, Lewis and Harris is certainly worth a visit if you have the views .

Tiree

Tiree is often referred to as the” Hawaii of the North”, thanks to its sun-drenched sandy beaches and breathtaking array of superb surf spots, and is the westernmost island of the Inner Hebrides . 

The small, picturesque and sunny Scottish island can be reached either by ferry or by plane and is especially popular with avid windsurfers.

Due to the large amount of sunshine it receives, the low-lying island is extremely fertile with its name actually meaning ‘Land of Corn’ in Gaelic. 

On its shores are many beautiful white sandy beaches with the wild waters of the Atlantic, which attract kayakers and kiters, surfers and sailors alike.

In addition to exploring all its beautiful bays and coves and excellent water sports, visitors can also visit the island’s attractive architecture and listen to Scottish folk at the Tiree Music Festival.

 Islay

While it is rightly known for its wealth of world-class whisky distilleries, the idyllic Isle of Islay has much, much more to offer.

 referred to as the” Queen of the Hebrides”, it is many fascinating scenery and seascapes for guests to enjoy even so many wonderful water sports and wildlife.

Islay, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, is only forty kilometres north of the Northern Irish coast. since it has been inhabited for thousands of years,there are many interesting historical and archaeological sites about its low-lying lands.

 Of these, its outstanding landmarks are undoubtedly the artfully carved Kildalton Cross from the 8th century and therefore the Dun Nosebridge Iron Age Fort. 

While many of us identify because of their history and scenery or to the lush birds that live in their remote areas, Islay is in fact home to nine highly regarded whisky distilleries. Therefore, no visit can ever be complete without tasting at least one of its strong and smoky drinks.

Shetland Islands

The northernmost part of Great Britain, the picturesque and remote Shetland, lies in the North Atlantic between Scotland, Norway and therefore the Faroe Islands. 

The spectacular subarctic archipelago is made up of 100 different islands and can be a delight to travel with rugged coasts and colossal sea cliffs along many wild and windswept wilds and wildlife.

Due to its isolated and inhospitable nature, only sixteen of its islands are inhabited, with the mainland hosting most of the population. 

as the archipelago was dominated by Scandinavia for much of its early history, its people and their history, culture and heritage show a stimulating mix of Nordic and Scottish influences.

While the islands are mostly deep and treeless, their quiet shores hide many beautiful beaches as well as countless coves and cliffs. 

The Shetland are also known for its wildlife with everything from otters and seals to puffins, dolphins and even orcas being discovered in its waters.

Iona

Despite its small size, the incredible island of Iona certainly offers a lot of it and has been a crucial sacred and spiritual centre for hundreds of years .

 Located in the inner Hebrides, it is right on the Isle of Mull with many people visiting for its picturesque and peaceful nature and its ancient abbey.

The impressive old abbey was founded in 563 AD and displays many attractive architecture and is widely regarded as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in Scotland. 

Moreover, it will not be a centre of science, since the renowned and richly illustrated book of Kells was written in its monasteries.

While many of us still come to Iona Abbey on spiritual retreats, others instead explore all the beautiful landscapes of the island with many fantastic fauna and flora and wonderful wildflowers on show.

Orkney

Located just fifteen kilometres off the north coast of Scotland is that amazing archipelago of the Orkneys, which is made up of around seventy approximately islands. 

also home to many fascinating archaeological sites, it offers many fascinating coasts with jagged cliffs and sea stacks next to secluded bays and coves.

Most of the population of the archipelago lives on the mainland, which is dotted with picturesque coastal towns and villages.

 Also here you will find many wonderful megaliths, stone circles and old houses like in Skara Brae, which are collectively referred to as the “heart of Neolithic Orkney”.

While its rich history and heritage is fascinating, the Orkneys even have many sublime landscapes and nature to enjoy. 

a really popular place is the second largest island of Hoy, where there are large cliffs and steep valleys and “the old Man of Hoy” – a breathtaking sea stack.

St Kilda

The westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides, the incredible archipelago of St Kilda lies far from North Ulst and Lewis and Harris. 

Surrounded by the wild waters of the North Atlantic, its small scattering of islands offer many fascinating scenery also because of the highest cliffs of the sea throughout Britain .

Since the isolated archipelago has been inhabited for thousands of years, various interesting archaeological sites are scattered over its wild and windswept areas. 

In addition to the thousand unique cleitean stone structures dotting the islands, you will also find the ruins and remains of medieval villages and abandoned old blackhouses.

In addition to the present , St Kilda has plenty of wonderful wilderness and wildlife for visitors to explore, with the archipelago being a crucial tract for countless seabird species. 

Be outstanding sight, however, is undoubtedly its rugged coastline, and therefore, the colossal cliffs along its solitary shore.

Arran

As it is home to high peaks and beautiful glens to hilly highlands, beautiful lochs and charming towns and villages, the Isle of Arran is usually referred to as “Scotland in miniature”. 

Located directly on the west coast of Scotland, it lies in the deep coastal waters of the Firth of Clyde and is definitely visited from both Glasgow and Ayr.

Due to its picturesque splendor and easy accessibility, Arran has long been a popular place and has been inhabited since the first Neolithic period.

 In addition to phenomenal prehistoric sights such as the standing stones on Machrie Moor or the atmospheric giant tombs, visitors can visit the ruins of Lochranza Castle and the well-preserved Brodick Castle and Heritage Museum.

With so many great walks, many breathtaking landscapes and coastal cliffs, caves and coves to explore, the Isle of Arran is certainly worth finding out if you have the views .

Jura

Located just to the north-east of Islay within the inner Hebrides is that bleak, barren yet beautiful Isle of Jura. 

Dominated and defined by three colossal and conical mountains known as the Paps of the Jura, it is very sparsely populated as its rugged and remote areas are a pleasure to explore.

While much of it consists of blanket bog, there are often some stunning, sheltered beaches here and there with great trails that take you to the highest of the distinctive peaks. 

From its towering peaks, you can enjoy magnificent views over its picturesque surroundings, with the island actually named after the lush deer that far outnumber its inhabitants.

One of its outstanding attractions is the remarkable whirlpool of Corryvrecken, which is viewed from its northernmost tip. In addition to exploring all its charming landscapes, Jura also offers some great gin and whisky distilleries where you can stop by.

 Skye

The irresistible Isle of Skye is undoubtedly the best known and most recognised of Scotland’s countless islands and offers many simply spectacular landscapes with majestic mountains and phenomenal views.

 the most important and northernmost of the Inner Hebrides, it lies just off the west coast of Scotland and is really connected to the mainland by a bridge.

As it is usually shrouded in mist, its dramatic landscapes look all the more mystical with fabulous photos of its rugged peaks, rock formations and sea stacks.

 Among the most famous sights are the breathtaking series of rocky pinnacles that structure both the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr with its fantastic flickering fairy pools and also attract many visitors.

In addition to all its stunning natural beauty, Skye has many fascinating castles such as those of Armadale and Dunvegan, which you can see while hiking in the Cuillin Range and which are always a popular pastime. Check for cheap flight bookings to scotland.