With populations ranging from 20,000 to just one and few of the comforts offered by mainland life, would the beautiful stone houses and peace and quiet of some of Scotland’s most remote islands be enough to tempt you?
Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde
Population: 1,376
How is it : Great Cumbrae, also known as Cumbrae, is the larger of the two islands known as Cumbraes in the Firth of Clyde.
Great Cumbrae has been inhabited since the last Ice Age and is steeped in history with a Gothic cathedral. It also bolsters ‘The Wedge’, a residence the width of a front door that is the narrowest house in the world.
The island is popular with tourists thanks to its scenic 18-hole golf course and superb cycling routes and popular with birdwatchers. The population increases by several thousand in the summer as vacationers flock to the island to enjoy the great outdoors.
Largest colony: millport
Schools: A primary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Two ferries run to the island every half hour
Number of pubs/restaurants: 10 including the popular Dancing Midget Cafe which offers traditional British fare and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are a handful of pubs and bars in Millport that are open late.
The island of Great Cumbrae is popular with tourists. Pictured: Millport Harbour, Great Cumbrae, Firth of Clyde, Scotland
Iona, Mull
Population: 177
How is it : Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland which is only 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long.
While the official 2011 census recorded a population of 177, this is now estimated at 120, with agriculture being the most common occupation on the island along with sectors related to tourism.
The extremely peaceful island has a long and illustrious history and is well known for being the ‘cradle of Christianity’ in Scotland and home to Iona Abbey.
Largest colony: Baile Mor
Schools: A primary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Two ferries run eight times a day from the Isle of Mull
Bars/Restaurants: There are four places to eat on the island with the restaurant at the Argyll Hotel being one of the most popular. The Iona Heritage Center Cafe offers afternoon tea and Martyr’s Bay Restaurant has a bar and is open late.
The Isle of Iona has a long and illustrious history and is well known as the ‘Cradle of Christianity’ in Scotland.
Jura, Islay
Population: 196
How is it : The Isle of Jura is considered one of the last wilderness areas in Scotland, as the small population of 196 individuals is outnumbered by over 5,000 deer. It lies off the west coast of Scotland and is the eighth largest Scottish island.
It is perhaps most famous for being the home of author George Orwell and it was in the Jura that he completed his dystopian novel in 1984. Because of this, his former farmhouse here has become a sanctuary for its readers.
Tourism is the island’s most important economic sector and it’s a popular spot for hikers who regularly flock to the Paps du Jura – three large peaks that dominate the island’s skyline.
Largest colony: Craighouse
Schools: A primary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Four boats a day in summer
Bars/Restaurants: The main place to eat and drink in Jura is the Jura Pub in Craighouse. The Antlers Ice Cream Café is also a popular spot.
Tourism is Jura’s most important economic sector and it’s a popular spot for walkers who flock to its iconic Paps of Jura
Greater Bernera, Lewis and Harris
Population: 252
How is it : Often known as Bernera, the island is in the Outer Hebrides and has an area of 8 square miles. It became more accessible in 1953 when a bridge connecting it to neighboring Lewis was opened and 4,000 people crossed it to explore what it had to offer.
Like many Scottish islands Bernera is steeped in history and popular sites include Bostadh Sands where in 1992 a storm allowed the elements to expose the remains of an Iron Age village until then unknown.
Its population depends mainly on lobster fishing, crofting and tourism. In 2003, the islanders considered the possibility of making the island community property, a process which was carried out by other islanders, but the laird was unwilling to sell.
Largest colony: Bracelet
Schools: no schools
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Two ferries per day
Bars/Restaurants: Tripadvisor lists eight restaurants and pubs in Bernera, but some of them are on neighboring islands. The most popular restaurant located on Bernera itself is the Bernera Community Café which is open for lunch.
Often known as Bernera, the island of Great Bernera (pictured) is in the Outer Hebrides and has an area of 8 square miles
Eday, Orkney
Population: 160
How is it : Eday Island is one of the Orkney Islands and is the ninth largest in the archipelago. Agriculture and smallholdings are the main industries for the island’s 160 inhabitants.
The island is rich in archaeological history, has diverse wildlife and is one of the lesser known islands among tourists.
A strong and vibrant community lives on this eight-mile strip of land, and residents can enjoy sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, ancient history, wonderful wildlife attractions, and the gentle pace of island life.
Largest colony: Backaland
Schools: A primary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Three ferries a day or accessible by air from the mainland of Orkney.
Number of pubs/restaurants: None
Eday offers a lot as residents and visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, ancient history and dramatic cliffs (pictured)
Unst, Shetland
Population: 632
How is it : Unst is the northernmost of the inhabited British Isles and the third largest island in Shetland after the mainland and Yell.
The island’s population at the 2011 census was 632, down more than 12% since 2001, when there were 720 usual residents.
The island is described as one of the richest Viking heritage sites in Europe, with more than 60 longhouses discovered by archaeologists at Underhoull, Belmont and Hamar.
Largest colony: Baltasound
Schools: A primary school and a secondary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: To get to Unst you need to take two ferries from mainland Shetland which run regularly each day
Number of pubs/restaurants: There are a small number of places to eat on Unst, including three cafes and two hotel restaurants. Saxa Vord Resort’s bar and restaurant serves lunch on Sundays, while Victoria’s Vintage Tea Rooms offers afternoon tea.
An Atlantic Puffin perches on the edge of the cliff in Hermaness National Nature Reserve on Unst, Shetland Islands
Rum, Small Islands
Population: 22
The description: Rum is the largest of the smaller islands and is located south of the Isle of Skye. All of its twenty inhabitants live in the hamlet of Kinloch on the east coast of the island.
The island has been inhabited since the 8th millennium BCE and has some of the earliest known evidence of human occupation in Scotland.
The island has a transient population including NatureScot employees, who own and manage the island, and their families, researchers and a teacher.
Largest colony: Kinlock
Schools: A primary school
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Five ferries per week during the summer months
Number of pubs/restaurants: The Rumbling Tum Café is the most popular spot on the Isle of Rum, but is only open during the summer months.
Rum (pictured) has a transient population of NatureScot employees and their families, researchers and a teacher
Vatersay, Uists and Barra
Population: 60
How is it : The Isle of Vatersay is the southernmost and westernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides and the settlement of Caolas on the north coast of the island is the westernmost permanently inhabited place in Scotland.
The main village, also called Vatersay, is in the south of the island where the majority of its 60 inhabitants live. Vatersay Island is connected to the larger Barra Island to the north by a causeway approximately 200 meters long which was completed in 1991.
This is a huge advantage because freight transport and passenger traffic no longer depend on a small passenger ferry. Access to school and emergency services is much faster and easier.
Largest colony: Baile Bhatarsaigh
Schools: A school in Barra
Post office: Yes
Transport links: Ferries run to Barra where residents and visitors can cross the causeway to access Vatersay
Bars/Restaurants: Many of the best places to eat are located on nearby Barra, which is easily accessible, but the Vatersay Community Café is a popular spot for quick snacks and refreshments.