Attractions in Scottish Islands
Ancient history, turquoise waters, and puffin colonies 🦅🏝️
Showing 33 attractions · Sorted by importance
Callanish Standing Stones
📍 Callanish
🏰 CastleAn iconic cross-shaped setting of Neolithic standing stones erected 5,000 years ago, pre-dating Stonehenge.
Fairy Pools
📍 Carbost
🏔 Scenic ViewCrystal clear blue pools and waterfalls at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, ideal for scenic walks and brave wild swimmers.
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
📍 Sumburgh
🏰 CastleA complex archaeological site spanning 4,000 years of history, including Bronze Age houses and Viking longhouses.
Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
📍 Sandwick
🏰 CastleA remarkably preserved Neolithic village and UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a glimpse into prehistoric life.
St Kilda National Nature Reserve
📍 Hirta
🌲 NatureA remote UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the UK's highest sea cliffs and the remains of an abandoned island community.
Up Helly Aa
📍 Lerwick
🎭 EventLast Tuesday in January, a 24-hour fire festival celebrating Shetland's Viking heritage. It attracts thousands of international visitors to see the torchlight procession of 1,000 'guizers' and the burning of a traditional Viking longship. The early evening procession is family-friendly, while the subsequent hall parties are ticketed and adult-oriented.
Armadale Castle Gardens
📍 Sleat
🌿 GardenThe historic seat of Clan Donald featuring 40 acres of woodland gardens, romantic castle ruins, and nature trails with sea views.
Brodick Castle Gardens
📍 Brodick
🌿 GardenA diverse horticultural site famous for its international collection of rhododendrons, formal walled gardens, and scenic coastal views.
Hebridean Way (Walking)
📍 Vatersay
🥾 Hiking & Cycling252km challenging 10-14 day long-distance trail crossing 10 islands, including 6 causeways and 2 ferries, with approximately 5,600m elevation gain. Features rugged mountains, white sand beaches, and historic sites.
Old Man of Hoy Nature Reserve
📍 Stromness
🌲 NatureHome to one of the tallest sea stacks in Britain, this reserve offers a scenic coastal hike with spectacular maritime views.
Staffa National Nature Reserve
📍 Fionnphort
🌲 NatureAn uninhabited island famous for its unique hexagonal basalt columns and the echoing sea cavern of Fingal’s Cave.
The Hebridean Way (Driving Route)
📍 Vatersay
🚗 Road Trip250km (155 miles) paved route spanning 10 islands and 2 ferries, typically taking 3-5 days. Highlights include the white beaches of Barra and Harris, the Callanish Standing Stones, and the rugged hills of North Harris.
Lews Castle
📍 Stornoway
🏰 CastleA Victorian-era castle housing the Museum nan Eilean, which features the famous Lewis Chessmen.
Old Man of Hoy
📍 Stromness
🏔 Scenic ViewA world-famous 449-foot sea stack made of red sandstone, which is one of the tallest and most iconic in the UK.
Pier Arts Centre
📍 Stromness
🖼 Art GalleryHome to a world-renowned collection of British Modernist art, this gallery is housed in a beautifully converted historic pier building.
Shetland Museum and Archives
📍 Lerwick
🖼 Art GalleryThis award-winning museum features the Goudie Gallery, showcasing significant fine art works reflecting the islands' unique culture and heritage.
St Magnus Cathedral
📍 Kirkwall
🏰 CastleThe most northerly cathedral in the UK, known as the 'Light in the North,' built from vibrant red and yellow sandstone.
St Ninian's Isle Beach
📍 Bigton
⛱ BeachA spectacular natural sand tombolo that connects the mainland to an island, allowing visitors to walk across a strip of sand with the sea on both sides.
Stromness Historic Town
📍 Stromness
🏘 Town / VillageA picturesque maritime town characterized by narrow winding streets and historic stone piers that reflect its long seafaring history.
Stromness Museum
📍 Stromness
🔬 ScienceAn independent museum with significant natural history collections, including rare fossils from the Old Red Sandstone.
The Italian Chapel
📍 Lamb Holm
🏛 LandmarkA beautiful and moving chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during WWII from scrap materials and hand-painted decorations.
West Island Way
📍 Kilchattan Bay
🥾 Hiking & Cycling48km moderate 2-day trek across the Isle of Bute with 1,100m elevation gain. It was the first waymarked long-distance island route in Scotland, featuring diverse moorland and coastal scenery.
Orkney West Mainland Loop
📍 Circular
🚗 Road Trip60km (37 miles) paved circular route starting from Kirkwall, taking 1 day. Highlights include the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO site (Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar), the dramatic cliffs of Yesnaby, and the Brough of Birsay.
St Magnus Way
📍 Egilsay
🥾 Hiking & Cycling88km moderate 4-5 day pilgrimage trail through Mainland Orkney with 1,200m elevation gain. Commemorates the life of St Magnus. Bike rental for road sections: Cycle Orkney (cycleorkney.com).
The Blackhouse, Arnol
📍 Arnol
🐄 FarmAn authentic fully-furnished traditional croft house maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, showcasing island farming heritage.
The Golden Road
📍 Tarbert
🚗 Road Trip32km (20 miles) paved single-track road along the east coast of Harris, taking about 2 hours. Known for its unique 'lunar' landscape of ancient gneiss rock, small sea lochs, and tiny fishing settlements like Rodel and Geocrab.
An Lanntair
📍 Stornoway
🖼 Art GalleryThe premier arts hub of the Outer Hebrides, featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events for all ages.
The Pickaquoy Centre
📍 Kirkwall
🌊 Water ParkA premier leisure hub featuring a pool with flumes and inflatable sessions, perfect for families visiting Orkney.
