The highest peaks of the islands have names deriving from both Gaelic and Old Norse, indicating the historical importance of these two cultures.The archaeological record for the period of Viking domination during the Early Historic period is, however, limited. Inner strength If such a disparate collection of distilleries has a heart, it is the Inner Hebrides, which apart from Islay includes Skye, home to Talisker’s mix of peat and pepper; Jura’s eponymous malty slow burner; and on Mull, gale-lashed Tobermory’s fruity malt, alongside its smoky alter ego, Ledaig . etc. Some islands have a local airport where chartered flights are operated from mainland Scotland and beyond. Want to experience the best of Scotland's islands? Search all the destinations that CalMac sails to: Arran, Skye, Lewis, Barra, Kintyre & Campbeltown, Islay, Jura, Iona & Harris Change your preferences at Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris & Stornoway, St Kilda from the sky, Outer Hebrides © istockphoto, Harris Tweed scarves arranged on a rock by the sandy beach at Traigh An Iar, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, A boat sails around the Isle of Harris on one of Haish Taylor's Scenic Cruises, Scottish surfing in the Outer Hebrides © istockphoto, Highland Park Distillery, Kirkwall, Orkney, Climbing student partaking in a scrambling course © sportscotland / National Outdoor Training Centre / Glenmore Lodge, Terry Bank's trip to Oban, Mull, Iona and Staffa, Explore castles and admire some of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the world on, Have a go at paddling a kayak in the crystal clear waters off the, Explore miles of pristine sands at world-famous beaches, such as, Pedal across connecting causeways as part of an incredible. P&O Cruises revealed the "Iona" name for the new build on May 24, 2018, naming it after Iona Island (Inner Hebrides) located off Scotland's coast. Please use the form on this page to contact us or call our main office on +44 (0) 1463 245 245. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The largest active sand causeway in the UK. Orkney and Shetland are connected to the mainland and each other by NorthLink Ferries. In Shetland, inter-island ferry travel is operated by the council, while Orkney Ferries connect the archipelago's 13 island destinations. Corrections? Oban & Inner Hebrides Handy home-base town of Oban, with boat trips to the isles of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. Where will your island hopping adventure take you? Whether you've only got a couple of days or a couple of weeks, it's well worth taking the time to explore a few islands and discover the unique character of each. Inverness Regional capital with easy access to more Highlands sights, including Culloden Battlefield (Scotland's Alamo) and monster-spotting at the famous Loch Ness. Want help from the experts? Read all the latest news from Highlands and Islands Enterprise here to find out what's happening in the local economy. See the Instagram photos from Terry Bank's trip to Oban, Mull, Iona and Staffa. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Terminology for the British Isles, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland. Expert local knowledge, gifts and inspiration. Iconic Ben Nevis needs to be top of your Scottish to-do list. See what else you can get up to on an island hopping break. In some instances it's possible to go by plane. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The inhabited islands of the Inner Hebrides had a population of 18,257 in 2001, and 18,948 at the time of the 2011 census. See remnants of ancient civilisations at sites such as, Witness the incredible sight of thousands of seabirds on cliffs at nature reserves, such as, Enjoy lively folk music sessions in pubs in, See striking contemporary architecture and soak up some culture at. Sort out the facts about islands across the globe. The British Isles is a geographical term which includes two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and 5,000 small islands, most notably the Isle of Man which has its own parliament and laws. " Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Name the 26 world largest islands highlighted on the map. What are the islands of the Maldives made of? Why not stay in a castle, a lighthouse or on a working farm? However, Australia is actually made up of more than 8,000 islands, including the island state of Tasmania. Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice. Some also include the Channel Islands in this grouping. Find more advice on exploring Scotland during Covid-19 on our dedicated page. © 2021 VisitScotland. Pick from exciting cities, historic towns, quaint countryside and stunning coastlines! Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis © istockphoto, © sportscotland / National Outdoor Training Centre. The main island groups which are best suited for touring include the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides in the west of Scotland, and Orkney and Shetland in the north. With an area of 1,656 square km, the island of Skye is the fourth largest island in the British Isles. Although the term British Isles has a long history of common usage, it has become increasingly controversial, especially for some in Ireland who object to its connotation of political and cultural connections between Ireland and the United Kingdom. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. ... the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Inner and Outer Hebrides, Anglesey etc. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Explore the range of island hopping tour options, from sailing holidays to bespoke guided tours, and book your trip today! Whether you've only got a couple of days or a couple of weeks, it's well worth taking the time to explore a few islands and discover the unique character of each. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/British-Isles, History World - History of the British Isles, British Isles - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Hebrides, group of islands extending in an arc off the Atlantic (west) coast of Scotland.They are subdivided into two groups—the Inner Hebrides to the east and the Outer Hebrides to the west—which are separated from each other by channels called the Minch and the Little Minch. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Cookies are required to view this content. Manage Cookie Settings. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. All rights reserved. Regular ferry connections run from the mainland to the islands on the west and north coasts of Scotland, and also between the islands themselves. Sifhraven +1. Level 67. Omissions? What is the world’s largest archipelago? Updates? British Isles, group of islands off the northwestern coast of Europe. Why not explore on one of these 12 scenic boat trips or visit some of the best and most popular attractions across the country with our Ultimate Scottish Island Holiday ideas? These are usually run by council-appointed operators. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Apr 17, 2019. As an island, Australia is a natural quarantine zone. Caledonian MacBrayne, often known as CalMac, is the largest operator of ferry services in the west of Scotland, serving the main island groups of: In addition to the CalMac routes, there are a few smaller ferry services to some destinations. The main island groups which are best suited for touring include the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides in the west of Scotland, and Orkney and Shetland in the north. Explore the lunar landscapes of Harris on foot. You can now search our website to see what businesses are open and signed up to the Good to Go scheme. It is part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago where it is northernmost and the largest island. In addition, there are inter-island flights in: Subscribe now for inspiration, travel tips, news and visitor offers! The group consists of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous smaller islands and island groups, including the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Man. The name also keeps the tradition all boats in the P&O Cruises fleet to have names ending with "A". Whether you fancy travelling between Scotland's islands by ferry or plane you'll find plenty of ways to tick your dream islands off your must-visit list. See England; Ireland; Northern Ireland; Scotland; United Kingdom; Wales. Discover beauty all over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Stroll along pristine white beaches, or take bracing coastal clifftop walks. 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