The best Scottish Islands to visit in 2026

Peace, nature and long-held traditions can be found in these idyllic isles, as chosen by you.

With over 700 islands sprinkled off its coastline – around 100 of which are inhabited – it’s almost criminal to visit Scotland and not take in at least one of them. For it is in its isles that you can enjoy the most rewarding Scottish travel experiences, from being welcomed into tight-knit communities to see age-old crafts to embracing pure nature. 

So, with the uncertainty of overseas travel looming large, make this the year you voyage to the Scottish isle you’ve always dreamed about. But with so many to choose from, where to begin?

It’s six years since our last Scottish islands survey, but little has changed. Orkney was rated top of the table then, and is top again. 

The only destination rated five stars for tourist attractions reflects just how extraordinary this place is. From Norse graffiti to a Neolithic settlement that predates the pyramids, it is one of the UK’s most unique destinations. 

But there is little to separate your favourite islands. Barra got top marks for its scenery and beaches (arrive by plane and you get the exhilaration of landing on one of them). In fact, eight islands were rated five stars for their beaches, and nearly all were four or five stars for peace and quiet. So our advice is to take your pick, you may even be surprised to find some are easier to get to than you might think.

If you’re looking for a bargain (plus fewer tourists), then travel in the shoulder months of late September and October or April to early May, when days are still long enough to enjoy it all, but the midges are nowhere to be seen.

This article first appeared in Which? Travel magazine. We don't accept freebies from travel companies, airlines, or hotels, so you can be sure that our investigations, recommendations, and reviews are completely unbiased.

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The best Scottish islands to visit this year

Orkney 90%

This archipelago, which includes as many as 70 islands, came out top in our survey, scoring five stars for its tourist attractions, which is unsurprising when you realise that Orkney Mainland – the largest island and the one most visitors arrive into – is home to the most incredible Neolithic landscape in the world. 

This includes the remarkable village of Skara Brae (which predates the pyramids), the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the chambered tomb of Maeshowe – which together make up one mind-boggling Unesco World Heritage Site, so rich in meaning you’ll be won over by its mystical atmosphere.

Elsewhere, Orkney offers escape from the modern world: walking its dramatic coastline that’s been shaped by the elements, cycling its long, flat roads, and braving its cold waters. 

And there’s no need to limit yourself to the main island – Hoy and its ‘Old Man’ sea stack is a short ferry ride away, while the Churchill Barriers connect several islands to the south of Mainland along the Scapa Flow. Visitors also praised Orkney’s peace and quiet but beware the cursed cruise ships that stop almost daily in summer. Instead, visit major sites when they’ve moved on, lest you want Orkney’s otherworldly ambience ruined.

Barra 86%

With the only beach runway for chartered flights in the world, getting to (or leaving) Barra is often the most thrilling aspect of a visit here, with one respondent telling us how delighted they were to fulfil a long-held wish to fly from the beach: ‘It was a glorious day with views along the whole of the west coast from Lewis to the Mull of Kintyre.’

Like Orkney, Barra scored five stars for peace and quiet, but it also got top marks for its beaches and scenery, with its white sands and turquoise waters often drawing comparisons to tropical islands. Indeed, the beaches are so beautiful that locals have coined the nickname ‘Barra-bados’.

It’s also a good starting point for exploring the rest of the Outer Hebrides, as it has more facilities than its neighbouring isles. It even has a supermarket that’s open on Sundays, a rarity in these remote, religious islands. 

You’ll need to take a short ferry crossing to reach Eriskay to the north, but from here the isles are largely connected by causeways. Look out for ‘otters crossing’ signs as you go and make time to gaze out to sea, and who knows what local wildlife you might spot.

Shetland 86%

Like Orkney, Shetland is not so much an island as an entire archipelago. Nevertheless, most visitors arrive at the largest island of Mainland, either by overnight ferry from Aberdeen or by air from Glasgow. 

The ferry journey gives you a sense of quite how far flung from the Scottish mainland the Shetland Isles are and why many locals consider themselves Shetlanders before calling themselves Scottish. Shetland scored full marks for beaches, scenery and peace and quiet. 

And, while our survey respondents praised its ‘friendly people’ and ‘clear’ air, they also pointed out that ferries need to be pre-booked between the islands and that cruise-ship arrivals into the main town of Lerwick can see the town overrun with visitors.

However, with planning, these islands are easy to enjoy. St Ninian’s Beach on the south of Mainland is a jaw-dropping strip of sandy beach that acts as a causeway to a nearby island, while ancient sites such as Jarlshof and Mousa Broch could give Orkney a run for its money. Shetland’s puffins can be spotted from April to mid August. 

Meanwhile, the island’s creative spirit is best enjoyed at one of its festivals, from September’s Wool Week, which celebrates the islands’ craft heritage – including Fair Isle knits – to Up Helly Aa each January, which remembers Shetland’s Viking past.

Arran 85%

While many of Scotland’s islands require a bit of getting to, others, like Arran, are comparatively easy to reach. There are direct trains from Glasgow to both Troon and Ardrossan in Ayrshire, from where you can get a ferry to the island in a little less than an hour. 

Boasting five-star scenery, Arran is often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, once here you can enjoy a little bit of everything – there is the faded grandeur of Brodick Castle, a good distillery at Lochranza, standing stones at Machrie Moor, and a rewarding hike in Goatfell. It’s also good value for money. 

The only exception is shopping, with one respondent saying if you’re looking for retail therapy, then ‘don’t bother’. However, despite the short ferry route, one of our respondents did call out the ‘chaotic’ ferries. So it’s worth remembering that even short ferry crossings in Scotland can be unpredictable.

Harris 83%

Harris stays with you long after you’ve left. From the twists and turns of the east coast’s Golden Road – which offers lots of galleries and quirky shops along the way – to the Caribbeanesque beaches and craft studios of the west coast, it’s hard not to fall for it. 

Connected by land to Lewis, Harris is the more visually arresting of the two, with its ‘rugged’ and ‘absolutely stunning’ scenery singled out by visitors. It’s this wild and exposed terrain that required its renowned tweed to be so hardy. 

Here you can visit one of the weavers at home and watch it being made using a traditional loom. Harris people (or Hearach) are famously friendly, so be sure to take your time to stop and chat – the whitewashed Scarista House is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a warm welcome and great food. And, this being Harris, it overlooks a beautiful beach.

Mull 82%

Though most people think of the colourful port town of Tobermory when they think of Mull, it’s so much more besides, with green hills and sandy beaches with clear waters enticing you in – it even has its own munro in Ben More.

Visitors scored it five stars for scenery, but one of Mull’s biggest lures is its wildlife, which is thriving thanks to conservation efforts, with one respondent saying: ‘Mull is a superb destination for scenery and nature lovers offering the chance to see sea eagles, otters and whales.’

Be warned though, many roads are single track, and it’s bigger than many of the islands featured here, so you might want to choose between exploring either the north (round Tobermory and the excellent Isle of Mull Cheese farm) or the south (home to Duart Castle, the Carsaig Arches and ferries over to another of your favourite islands – Iona).

Skye 75% 

The dramatic, jagged landscapes of Skye have inspired many a folk tale, and, since the Skye Bridge opened in 1996, visitor numbers have soared. However, it’s perhaps a little unfair that it scored lowest for peace and quiet on our list, because away from the tourist hot spots there are plenty of places where you can escape the crowds. 

Head to the south of the island and the village of Eilean Iarmain and you can spend slow days scanning the coastline for sea life, driving or trekking down forest lanes to ruined castles and you’ll barely see another soul. You can also hear about the revival of the Gaelic language or enjoy impromptu traditional music sessions at the tiny wood-panelled pub in the hotel.

Meanwhile, the luminous waters of Loch Coruisk can easily rival the overrun Fairy Pools for scenic backdrops, and the views across Loch Slapin towards Bla Bheinn and the Black Cuillin from Torrin are every bit as epic as those from more crowded viewing spots. Those still keen to see the pretty Portree, the Old Man of Storr and other attractions of the Trotternish Peninsula should visit off season in late September and early April.