Holidays in The Isles
The Argyll Isles run south from Canna to Islay and fall naturally into three clusters.
The “Small Isles” of Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck lie off the Isle of Skye’s south coast and are reached from Mallaig. Rum and its wildlife appear regularly on the BBC’s Spring- and Autumnwatch but all islands are beautiful, fascinating and tranquil.
Mull, Iona, Tiree and Coll make up the next group. Mountains, lochs, rocky headlands and long sea lochs, sandy beaches and pretty villages like Tobermory characterise Mull, while Fingal’s Cave on the small island of Staffa should not be missed. Iona boasts St Columba, the Abbey and the burial place of the first Kings of Scotland, while Tiree and Coll are traditional crofting islands, Tiree being one of the sunniest places in Britain.
Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Oronsay and Gigha comprise the southern cluster. Islay, the most southerly island in the Inner Hebrides, is famed for its whisky distilleries and rich birdlife., while Jura has 200 people, around 5,500 red deer, and otters, seals and birds galore. Beaches, cliffs, hills, moorland, crofts and remoteness characterise Colonsay and Oronsay, while community trust-owned Gigha, 3 miles off the Kintyre coast, is alive with new developments.
The choice is wide and varied and there is nothing better than island-hopping around the Inner Hebrides, enjoying the fresh air, spectacular views, wonderful wildlife and welcoming people as you go.


