This chain of 79 islands – 35 of which are inhabited – can boast some of Scotland’s most fascinating destinations.
Iona is a haven of peace, its Abbey is a place for quiet reflection amid the sacred remains of 60 Scottish, Irish and Norwegian kings.
There’s whisky galore on Islay, with no fewer than eight distilleries, as well as tranquil beauty, sweeping vistas and more than 20 beaches.
Jura is a land apart, among the wildest and most rugged places in Britain. There are stags on the hills, otters by the shore and golden eagles among the crags – and barely 200 people living along its only road.
And Mull, meanwhile, offers imposing mountain scenery, the town of Tobermory, known for its brightly painted waterfront houses, and a beach of golden sand and crystal clear water at Calgary.