4 Major Scottish Islands: A Beginner’s Guide

No trip to Scotland is ever complete without visiting the glorious Scottish Islands. You will be amazed at the beauty and splendour of the islands that stretch across the North Atlantic to nearly as far as Norway.

The Scottish Islands come under one of the four groups:

1. The Shetland Islands

2. The Orkney Islands

3. The outer Hebrides

4. The inner Hebrides

It is a herculean task to visit every island in one go, and it is a much bigger task to list the best of them all. It all depends on your schedule and interests. As you ponder on which is the best Island to go to on your next vacation, this article will help you understand and give you a short introduction to some of the best Scottish islands.

Four Main Scottish Islands

Here is a description of the four central Scottish Islands.

1. The Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands were formerly known as Zetland. As the northernmost region of the United Kingdom, the Shetland Islands lie at the confluence between the Orkney Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

The secluded islands are a bunch of hundred islands, out of which only 16 islands are inhabited. The spectacular isolated archipelago is a beautiful treat for travelling between coasts and sea cliffs.

Most islands in this area are either inhospitable in nature or isolated. Historically, the Shetland islands were mainly dominated by Scandinavia, so you will find that the people display an exciting mix of Scottish race and Norse culture.

An exciting aspect of Shetland is that a large part of the island is low-lying and treeless. Many of its serene shores hide its beautiful beaches, coves, and cliffs. It is well-known for its wildlife as well. From Otters and Seals to Puffins, dolphins and orcas can be seen in Shetland.

2. The Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands are a group of islands on the north coast of the British Isles and are known as the archipelago of the Northern Isles of Scotland. Mainland Orkney is the largest island in Orkney and is the sixth largest among all the Scottish islands.

Facts about Orkney Island

1. Orkney is part of the 32 council areas of Scotland.

2. The locally elected council is the Orkney Islands Council.

3. The Scottish island has been inhabited for over 8500 years.

4. Orkney was originally occupied by Mesolithic and Neolithic tribes.

5. In 875 BC, it was colonized and annexed to the Kingdom of Norway.

3. The Outer Hebrides

Off Scotland’s west coast lies a collection of islands known as the Outer Hebrides. Geographically speaking, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of Scotland’s 32 unitary council districts, and the lovely Scottish Islands are adjacent.

There are few English speakers here as the primary language is Scottish Gaelic.

4. The Inner Hebrides

The Inner Hebrides are a group of Scottish islands found off the west coast of Scotland. From the Outer Hebrides, the islands will be seen in the southeast direction.

The Inner Hebrides form a part of 35 inhabited islands and 44 uninhabited islands. The islands of Skye, Mull, and Islay are the largest of Scotland’s islands and have the highest populations.

Most of the population on the island is involved in commercial activities such as tourism, fishing, and whisky distilleries. Crofting is another form of economic activity on the islands of the Inner Hebrides. Crofting is a form of small-scale production of food and land tenure.

Final Note

Scottish Islands are unique, spectacular, and stunning in every possible way. Whether it is the Inner Hebrides with all its majestic culture of fishing, crafting, and whisky distilleries or the wild, untamed Outer Hebrides, visitors to the islands will be captivated and enthralled in all its beauty.

The rich history of the Orkney and Shetland Islands will help you realize that the people on the island live in a world they created. So, for your next visit to the gorgeous Scottish Islands, please take the time to learn about the land that is greatly influenced by history and endless legends!