Campsites in the Inner Hebrides

The Inner Hebrides is a group of islands off Scotland’s west coast that offer varied but equally enticing attractions to visitors who are keen to discover striking natural landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife and a wealth of history and culture.

Don’t Miss

• Dunvegan Castle
• Fingal’s Cave
• Walking the Quirang
• Fairy Glen
• The Inner Hebrides’ magnificent sandy beaches

Natural wonders and unmissable history

The Inner Hebrides are divided in two sections, namely the Northern Hebrides and the Southern Hebrides. There is no shortage of fantastic sights to be seen within these stunning Scottish islands, both manmade and natural.

Visitors who are keen to discover what life was like in days gone by are sure to marvel at the magnificent castles that are situated within the Inner Hebrides. Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, as well as Dunvegan Castle and the picturesque ruins of Caisteal Maol on the Isle of Skye are sure to ignite the imagination. Explorers may also want to visit Eilean Donan Castle which is located on one of the main tourist routes for reaching the Isle of Skye.

One of the most sacred sites in Scotland is Iona Abbey. St Columba founded a monastery here in AD 563, though today a restored 13^th century abbey is situated on the site of St Columba’s church. Next to the abbey visitors will find crosses that were created in the 8^th and 9^th centuries.

Visiting one of the museums located on the various islands is a good way to discover the history and culture associated with the Inner Hebrides. The Skye Museum of Island Life enables visitors to explore cottages that provide insight into a traditional way of life, while the Museum of Islay Life provides insight into the history of the island from the prehistoric past to modern times and Mull Museum is also packed full of intriguing displays.

Some of the primary draws of the Inner Hebrides are the spectacular natural scenery and the wildlife, both of which will encourage visitors to spend many hours of leisurely exploring and marvelling at nature’s splendour. The landscapes are as varied as they are enticing, from beaches and pastureland to towering mountain peaks.

The striking sea cave known as Fingal’s Cave inspired the composer Felix Mendelssohn as well as many writers, musicians and artists. The cave forms part of the Staffa National Nature Reserve and various wildlife can be seen on and around the island such as puffins, black guillemots, porpoises, dolphins and basking sharks. However, visitors to the Inner Hebrides may also be lucky enough to see many other kinds of wildlife such as red deer, otters, eagles, Minke whales and seals during their travels.

Mealt Waterfall – an eye-catching waterfall that plunges into the sea – and Kilt Rock which is visible in the distance are also well worth checking out. The Inner Hebrides also boasts magnificent beaches such as the captivating Kiloran Bay on the Isle of Colonsay and Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull, both of which are sure to please anyone who enjoys spending time at the beach.

Alternatively head inland and be enchanted by Fairy Glen which can be reached via a picturesque walk, or for those who are seeking a challenge, the splendour of the Black Cuillin mountain range provides a tough but exhilarating walking experience.

Scotland is famous for whiskey and the Inner Hebrides won’t disappoint visitors who are keen to find out more about the whiskey-making process. The Isle of Islay alone is home to several famous distilleries that can be visited such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Bowmore to name a few.     

Visitors who appreciate arts and crafts will no doubt be tempted by the range of crafted goods and artwork available within the Inner Hebrides, from warm woollen clothing and tapestries to paintings and jewellery, all of which are great souvenirs of a Scottish adventure.

Lace up your boots and do some exploring

A popular walk on the Isle of Skye is up a rocky hill known as the Storr. The walk takes ramblers to the Old Man of Storr, a famous pinnacle of rock, and the views from the top are breathtakingly beautiful. The stunning landscape of the Quiraing also provides excellent surroundings for walking and is sure to captivate anyone who loves the outdoors.   

Considering the Inner Hebrides are a group of islands, it should come as no surprise that there are a variety of enticing watersports to participate in. The Isle of Tiree for instance is a great choice for watersports such as surfing, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing.

In addition to participating in watersports and a multitude of walks to suit all ages and fitness levels, there is a wide range of other activities for people to try in the Inner Hebrides. Modern golf originated in Scotland, so why not try a few rounds in suitably Scottish settings such as the islands of Skye, Mull, Islay and Colonsay. Alternatively opt for some laidback fishing or seeing the sights on horseback.

Cyclists will also love exploring the Inner Hebrides on two wheels thanks to the superb natural surroundings and routes to suit all experience levels. Mull offers some wonderful cycling routes including exploring the forests by bike, or why not take in Skye’s beautiful scenery through a choice of routes. The islands within the Inner Hebrides have many traffic-free routes as well as a choice of quiet country roads with few cars. This in combination with terrain of varying cycling difficulty makes the activity suitable for cyclists of all ages and experience levels.

Island fun for all ages

The Inner Hebrides is a great destination for a family getaway, with lots of fun activities and attractions to entertain kids and adults. Families who fancy embracing their wilder side can dive into a choice of exciting hands-on activities from archery to axe throwing, clay pigeon shooting and air rifle shooting.

Animal and nature lovers of all ages will also enjoy an exciting boat trip that provides the opportunity to sit back and relax while taking in the local wildlife and superb scenery of locations such as Loch Coruisk. Wildlife-spotting boat trips enable explorers to see magnificent wildlife in their natural environments, such as seals, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and a variety of seabirds, and are sure to create lasting memories for all members of the family.

However, families don’t need to leave dry land if they’re searching for fun with animals. The Skye Serpentarium is sure to entice anyone who is interested in reptiles, from iguanas to frogs and snakes, and visitors who are feeling particularly brave can even handle a snake if they wish.

If getting creative and decorating mementoes of a family holiday sounds like fun, families can flex their artistic imaginations at Persabus Pottery and Ceramic Café. Younger and older visitors alike can enjoy hands-on entertainment through painting a variety of pottery pieces and taking them home as a fun souvenir of a great family outing.

After that, let the kids blow off some steam with a go The Quest, an exciting adventure trail on the Isle of Mull.