Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

'A cold, blue skied day, with buffeting grey swedges of grey cloud across the Atlantic's expanse, exposed across horizon's sights. A walk into the interior of Eigg greets a mirage set by the slanting winter sun, masquerading autumnal colours of burnished, bronzed bracken sitting snug in the bogs and moor. Black rushing water, deeply pooled in places, faces white rushed flows over rocks, streaming to a vantage point high on the cliff above Laig. This Western Bay, itself reached after careful consideration of burnt umber rockslid paths is turquoise in its hue, seeding and seeking the deeper and darkening indigo of wider waters across to Rums blue peaks.'

Scotland's Islands- best things. I agree that they all have something very magical. I would like to offer Eoropie beach as the sun is setting in the west. The short walk to the beach is across a rich carpet of machair flower and through majestic dunes. The beach is a long wide sweep of golden sand, and the waves are always exciting. You look north and west and know there is nothing but ocean for miles and miles. Louis

I've been thinking about what I would add to the list as there are so many things in the islands to enjoy - and there are lots of islands I haven't even visited yet!

My suggestion would be the plane to Barra which lands on the beach. The plane is very small and you can see the pilot and co-pilot. In fact, it reminds me of a plane from an Indiana Jones film! Flying low over the islands is an amazing experience - the colour of the water and the beautiful beaches are spectacular. And then you get to land on a beach and walk over the sand to the airport!

From Lesley Clark on Facebook:

Has to be Rackwick Bay on the island of hoy,orkney with its gorgeous cliffs,squeaky sand,magnificent huge round colourful boulders and peace and tranquility with the sea rolling in and views out over to north scotland paradise on a gorgeous summers day

Enjoyed a fabulous trip to Hoy and camped at Rackwick. The rollers coming in were awesome and we were entertained by the selkies playing in the surf along the shore line. The bothy is a comforting sight although we did not actually need to use it for shelter. In the morning you could see the misty spray from the waves floating up over the beach, magical. Real wild camping in a beautiful place.

Comment on LinkedIn from Kim Proven:

Sailing and berthing in the harbour at Rothesay on Bute (or taking the ferry), visiting Mount Stuart, cycling to Kilchattan Bay, taking the bus around the island, views from the golf course, putting and the little museum in the winter gardens, saying hello to Margaret Zavaroni in her cafe, going to the Jazz Festival in May with great venues and artists performing in places like the original Pavillion and the grounds of Rothesay Castle.

Comment on LinkedIn from David Smythe

Hearing seals singing on the skerries just off Orkney. It is a weird and haunting sound, particulalry if it is foggy.

Comment from Ian Watson on LinkedIn:

One highlight has to be lunch at the Eilean Iarmain followed by a tasting at Prában na Linne next door. Poit Dhubh, for me, please, and perhaps a Té Bheag for the distaff side? Talisker can wait till later in the day!

Comment from Victor Brierley:

The fact that each island is oh so different!

From LadybirdFi on Twitter:

Escapage - The Shiants http://bit.ly/5Un7Vn

Contribution on Twitter from @DementedBonxie

Favourite Orkney experience - Full moon shining on Scapa Flow in middle of the night.

Another comment on LinkedIn from Martha Bryce:

Glenashdale Falls on Arran is a lovely walk (with fab homebaking at The Coffee Pot on the way back down!)

Comment from @StuartHousden on Twitter:

One of my favourite things is Mousa in Summer, to sit by the Broch as the storm petrels flit in as the Summer dim takes hold

Fabulous holiday this summer on Orkney. Friendliest people and best customer service anywhere. Patsy Walls at Bella Vista not only provided excellent B&B but also personally arranged for stonking weather. Sunburn in Orkney - who'd of thought it!

Tourists well catered for - abundance of interesting interpretative signage but island left unspoilt and open for leisurely walks. Try the Mull Head walk at Deerness. Good quality, tasteful souvenirs. Excellent seafood. Can't wait for next visit

Have great memories of driving along the west coast of Harris looking out across white sands and green seas to all the little islands in the distance, with the sea glistening in the sunlight. When the sun shines in Harris, there's no better place.

My Granny - definitely the best thing to come from Shetland! :)

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Must check out the yurt on Muck, and I hear the World Stone Skimming Championships is great fun - although stone skimming is not one of my strengths!

I just love Isle of Cumbria. Its a 10 min ferry ride from Largs, has fantastic scenery, and the best is the cycle ride around the island. The town of Millport has a lovely beach, with interesting shops, and the island itself creates the atmosphere of being "away on holiday". Great day trip for families:)

The tearoom and yurt on the Isle of Muck. Absolutely amazing !!