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This small isle encapsulates all the charm of the Hebrides: scintillating beaches, the culture of the Gaels, tranquillity and road-priority to sheep. No matter how you arrive, it will make a deep impression: planes land on the sands of Cockle Beach, while ferries sail into a delightful bay where the 11th-century Kisimul Castle poses on an island of its own. A soothing place to unwind.

Wild flowers, migrant birds, otters, standing stones, active crofts, a castle and a surfeit of beaches contribute to making this a particularly varied and delightful island.

Colonsay has provided farmland and shelter to people since at least the Bronze Age, and many of their tombs and standing stones remain. Old traditions persist here, and Colonsay is still a strong crofting (see West Coast Islands) and fishing community. Wild flowers and birds thrive on this terrain, but it is the coastline, with its mix of sprawling and secretive beaches, that lures most visitors. Check the tides and walk out to the adjacent little island of Oronsay, with its ruined priory; its Christian roots go back as far as Iona’s.

Iona is a sparkling island of white sand beaches with an active crofting community. Visitors come in their hundreds daily in summer to visit the famous restored abbey (avoid 10am–4pm for a chance of peace). It was here that Columba came in 563 to establish a missionary centre (see St Columba Founds a Monastery on Iona) . Staffa contains Scotland’s greatest natural wonder: Fingal’s Cave, formed by thousands of basalt “organ pipes”, which inspired Mendelssohn to compose his famous Hebrides Overture .

A thriving island with eight distilleries producing peaty malts. Bowmore, the island’s capital, has an unusual circular church, designed to deprive the devil of corners to hide in! And Britain’s most impressive 8th-century Celtic cross can be found at Kildalton. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded on Islay’s varied landscapes.

Although geographically one island, the northern half is called Lewis and the southern half, Harris. Together, they are world-famous for producing tweed. One thing you absolutely must see in Lewis is the spectacular 4,500-year-old stone circle of Calanish, which resonates with a deep sense of spirituality. Arnol has an engaging traditional “black-house” (blackened by smoke) and Carloway a fine stone fort. Harris is more mountainous. Drive the “Golden Road” for the best scenery, and stop at Luskentyre beach, where you could imagine you were in Australia.

The wildest and least visited of the Hebridean islands. Overrun by red deer and dominated by its central hills, the Paps, Jura has been little affected by modernity: a single road links the ferry port and the main settlement, Craig-house. If you revel in solitude, the walks are tremendous.

Matching Skye for beauty if not for size, Mull is the second largest of the Inner Hebrides. Don’t miss the prize gardens at Torosay Castle (which can be reached by miniature railway from Craignure), while the imperious Duart Castle is a more austere proposition. A tour of the island must include side trips to Iona and Staffa, and Calgary Beach will stop you in your tracks. Tobermory is the place to unwind – its colourful seafront is a classic postcard scene. The Misnish Bar there often has live music.

Mountainous, misty and magical, Skye is an island of dramatic scenery, with an ancient castle, an idolized distillery and plenty more attractions (see Isle of Skye) .

While Canna and Muck are home to traditional farming communities, Rum was once the private playground of a rich industrialist; you can visit his incredible fantasy home, Kinloch Castle, as well as wander the island’s towering mountains. Eigg was a landmark community buyout, and the islander-owners now run a crafts shop and tours. Their ceilidhs (see Ceilidhs) are legendary! The Sgurr of Eigg, a sugar-loaf spur, yields fabulous views.