Island Hopping in the Outer Hebrides and Inner Hebrides: The Best Routes to Explore Scotland’s Western Isles
But why visit just one? Island hopping is an amazing way to venture through Scotland Western Isles. Just hop on a ferry and you can take a trip to the beautiful and wild islands of your choice.
Here is a guide to the islands, with the best routes for traveling by sea. Prices are based on island hopping tickets from the Hebridean and Clyde ferries and are seasonal.
It’s not quite a part of the Hebrides, but the Isle of Arran is a worthy destination. Its dramatic mountains and beautiful beaches are home to wildlife such as red squirrels, eagles, basking sharks, otters and seals. The standing stones of Machrie Moor offer a glimpse of its prehistoric past, and Arran Distillery is a must for whiskey connoisseurs. Hop from Ardrossan on the mainland to Arran, then north to Claonaig on the Kintyre Peninsula (£7pp).
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If you’re feeling adventurous, the Inner Hebrides are an enchanting group of islands. The archipelago comprises 35 inhabited and 44 uninhabited islands, the largest of which are Skye, Mull and Islay. Official routes available include: Mull, Ardnamurchan and Skye (less than £10 per person); and Kennacraig in Colonsay, Jura, Islay and Oban (less than £20 per person). Or go rogue and explore them all!
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The Isle of Jura is famous where George Orwell wrote in 1984. With its wilderness and tranquility (deer far outnumber humans), it’s easy to see why. Neighboring Islay is worth a visit for its world famous whiskeys, birdlife and spectacular coastline. You can take a ferry from Oban to Islay, explore both islands, then take another ferry from Port Ellen to Kinncraig (around £17 pp).
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Your next stop is the Isle of Mull, a haven for wildlife like eagles, puffins, otters, dolphins and even whales. It has white sand beaches and charming villages, like Tobermory with its multicolored houses. From here, explore the nearby Isle of Iona – Macbeth’s final resting place – or take a boat trip to spot the beautiful wildlife. You can link a roadtrip to Mull with one to Skye by ferry (£10 pp).
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