These are 10 of the most remote Scottish Islands – and how you can visit them.
1. Foula
With a population of approximately 30, Foula is a truly remote island, found in Shetland. It boasts a huge array of birds and plants alongside spectacular, picture-perfect cliffs. Ferry departures go seven nights a week on an Aberdeen-Lerwick route, or you can fly from several airports in the UK or Bergen, Norway. Photo: Shutterstock
2. Unst, Shetland Islands
Also in the Shetlands is Unst, a rugged island with impressive beaches as well as its own brewery and whisky distillery - producing Shetland Reel Gin. To get there, you’ll have to head to Shetland’s main town, Lerwick, and take two more ferry journeys - around 90 – 120 minutes from Lerwick. Photo: Shutterstock
3. Hirta, St Kilda
Located in the St Kilda archipelago, Hirta has an expansive coastline and huge colonies of puffins. It’s known as a “ghost island” thanks to the evacuation of the last residents in 1930. You can take a boat from Oban on the mainland, Uig on the Isle of Skye, or Leverburgh and Tarbert on the Isle of Harris to get there. Photo: Shutterstock
4. Jura, Inner Hebrides
Around the same size as Islay, Jura’s name derives from the Norse for “Land of Deer”, with around 5,000 deer to just 200 humans. It’s a wild island with a literary history - George Orwell finished his famous novel 1984 there. The fastest way to reach Jura is by Jura Passenger Ferry, leaving from Tayvallich, west of Lochgilphead. You can also travel via Islay by taking the Calmac car ferry from Kennacraig or by daily Loganair flights from Glasgow Airport. Photo: Shutterstock