Coast and Islands

With endless stretches of pristine golden sands, clear waters as far as the eye can see, friendly island communities and picturesque fishing towns, Scotland's coast and islands are full of surprises and the perfect place to embrace your creative side in the Year of Creative Scotland 2012 - it's easy find inspiration here!

Hop aboard a ferry to Scotland's islands and experience the warm welcome from close-knit island communities as you take in the magnificent scenery. From golf to history, wildlife to whisky, and even adventure destinations, surprises await around every corner.

 

• Discover island myths and legends

  

  Uncover intriguing myths and legends in Scotland’s coasts and islands from fairies and magical natural light shows to a legendary cave.

• Discover Scotland’s creative islands

  

  Uncover the creative side of Scotland’s islands from traditional crafts like Harris Tweed and Fair Isle to unique contemporary art exhibitions.

• Discover Shetland's wildlife and history

  

  Take a trip to Britain’s most northerly point, Hermaness, and you can see grey seals and fascinating fulmars from this cliff-top wildlife reserve.

• Enjoy active adventures in the Outer Hebrides

  

  With miles of stunning coastline you will find countless exciting ways to explore the Hebridean islands.

• Explore the UK’s only island-based country park

  

  The Isle of Arran is affectionately known as ‘Scotland in miniature’, offering attractions such as Brodick Castle, a range of outdoor pursuits, fine dining and more.

• Find famous film locations

  

  Find breathtaking scenery and stunning locations that have famously been used as the setting for well-known films from Harry Potter to Highlander

• Hear the call of a dolphin on a wildlife cruise

  

  Enjoy the extraordinary chance to hear the wild call of a dolphin or listen to chattering prawns with the underwater hydrophone.

• Try something special on a coastal foodie trail

  

  Savour a unique taste of Scotland on a fantastic coastal foodie trail, where you can visit the UK’s most northerly brewery, try lamb fed on seaweed and more.

• Uncover thousands of years of history

  

  Discover remarkable stone structures that date back thousands of years from a prehistoric settlement to a collection of spectacular standing stones.

 

• Brodick Castle

  Ayrshire & Arran

  Discover 600 years of history, spectacular views and parkland stretching from the sea to the mountains in the only island-based Country Park in Britain.

  Read more 55.593971 -5.151097

• Sea Life Surveys

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Explore the rugged coastline and rich waters around the Hebrides with award winning Sea Life Surveys and look out for minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds and even orca.

  Read more 56.61816 -6.07153

• Anstruther Fish Bar

  The Kingdom of Fife

  Regularly voted Scotland's top chippy, you can enjoy ethically-sourced North Sea haddock, landed at nearby Pittenweem, and Shetland organic cod dipped in batter and fried in beef dripping.

  Read more 56.223409 -2.702704

• Valhalla Brewery

  Shetland

  Valhalla Brewery in Unst produces a range of award-winning real ales.

  Read more 60.753363 -0.888416

• The Orkney Creamery

  Orkney

  This family-run business was first established in 1949, and now supplies milk to the whole of Orkney as well as producing a delicious range of luxury ice cream.

  Read more 58.972686 -2.972965

• Highland Park distillery

  Orkney

  The rich, succulent, complexity of this exceptional single malt inspires passion in single malt enthusiasts everywhere. It has balance, character and provenance and epitomises all that is great about single malt Scotch whisky.

  Read more 58.966932 -2.952168

• Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Food served throughout the day recognised for its quality, particularly their juicy oysters and fresh seafood.

  Read more 56.272049 -4.927052

• Islay distilleries

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Bowmore, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdaich and Kilchoman are all created on Islay, and no visit would be complete without learning about the art of whisky making on a distillery tour.

  Read more 55.736254 -6.177067

• The Orkney Brewery

  Orkney

  The award-winning Orkney Brewery is housed in the heart of Neolithic Orkney, and the unhurried island culture with its traditional values influences the way they make their beer.

  Read more 58.936946 -2.745305

• Hebridean Adventure

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Step aboard the Hebridean Explorer and enjoy a breathtaking cruise around the north coast of Mull, the Ardnamurchan Peninsular and even Loch Sunart and Loch Drambuie.

  Read more 56.6239 -6.069677

• Elizabeth G Charters

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Elizabeth G Charters operate out of Oban, offering a wonderful choice of diving and wildlife-spotting cruises throughout the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

  Read more 56.623784 -6.06571

• Hermaness NNR

  Shetland

  Overlooking the Muckle Flugga lighthouse station, Hermaness is home to over 100,000 seabirds.

  Read more 60.800794 -0.869515

• Shetland Museum

  Shetland

  Discover Shetland's history and follow the island's journey from its geological beginnings to the present day.

  Read more 60.157866 -1.150175

• Calgary Art in Nature

  Argyll, the Isles. Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs

  Visit the Carthouse Gallery and the Carving Studio to view the artists' original work.

  Read more 56.58237 -6.271755

• Harris Tweed

  Outer Hebrides

  Find the famous fabric that can only be made by crofters in the Outer Hebrides who weave it by hand

  Read more 58.208655 -6.382723

• Faerie Glen

  The Highlands

  It is believed that the fairies of Faerie Glen can make your wishes come true.

  Read more 57.582867 -6.322761

• Dunvegan Castle

  The Highlands

  Visit the historic castle and see how the cascading waterfall keeps the beautiful gardens watered.

  Read more 57.463334 -6.599928

• Orkney Islands

  Orkney

  The Orkney Islands are an ideal location to view the northern lights.

  Read more 58.9803699 -2.9563153

• Skara Brae

  Orkney

  The historic village was only fully excavated in the 1930s and its date of origin was confirmed in the1970s.

  Read more 59.048983 -3.335556

• Maeshowe Chambered Cairn

  Orkney

  Maeshowe was designated part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site in 1999, along with Skara Brae.

  Read more 58.958306 -3.224844

• Callanish Standing Stones

  Outer Hebrides

  The island of Lewis is home to Scotland's most historic stone structure.

  Read more 58.199781 -6.736565

• The Dwarfie Stane

  Orkney

  The Dwarfie Stane is carved out of a huge block of Devonian Old Red Sandstone and can be found between the settlements of Quoys and Rackwick on Hoy.

  Read more 58.88456944440 -3.31428888889

• Island of Eriskay

  Outer Hebrides

  You can travel to Eriskay from South Uist more easily now by using the causeway which was completed in 2001.

  Read more 57.075282 -7.2972

• Glenfinnan Viaduct

  The Highlands

  Pay a visit to the imposing arches of this famous viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films and imagine the Hogwarts Express puffing by.

  Read more 56.876278 -5.43145

• Fort William

  The Highlands

  Fort William, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, is an ideal base for exploring Ben Nevis, the West Highland Way and Glencoe, as well as setting off on the ‘The Road to the Isles’.

  Read more 56.818798 -5.109657

• Mallaig

  The Highlands

  Make sure you take time to sample some delicious seafood and explore this scenic fishing port town before boarding a ferry to take you to the Small Isles or to Skye.

  Read more 57.00438292591335 -5.83073616027832

• White Sands of Morar

  The Highlands

  Stop off at this stunning white-sand beach and admire the clear turquoise waters, colourful flowery machair plains and fabulous views of Eigg and Rum.

  Read more 56.969123 -5.840693

• Eilean Donan Castle

  The Highlands

  Although first inhabited around the sixth century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail.

  Read more 57.2762467 -5.5140046

• Isle of Benbecula

  Outer Hebrides

  Enjoy a gallop down the beach or a cart ride at the Uist Community Riding School on the Isle of Benbecula and children can even enter their favourite cuddly toys into one of the school’s horseback teddy bear races.

  Read more 57.442917 -7.342987

• Tolstadh

  Outer Hebrides

  Tolstadh beach is great for surfing beginners to take their first lesson.

  Read more 58.35491 -6.202126

• Colonsay

  Aberdeen City & Shire

  The Isle of Colonsay, Taste some of Colonsay's famous beers brewed in their unique microbrewery.

  Read more 56.080996 -6.211768

• Pier Arts Centre

  Orkney

  Explore the colourful world of modern art at the Pier Arts Centre

  Read more 58.90071 -3.331588

• Isle of Arran Distillery

  Ayrshire & Arran

  One of the few independent distilleries in the country, Isle of Arran Distillery use traditional wooden washbacks and copper stills to produce the finest end results. Home to the purest water supply in Scotland, Arran enjoys ideal conditions for the speedy maturation of its single malt whisky.

  Read more 55.6977 -5.275648