Your flight to Tiree takes you to Scotland’s Inner Hebrides’ westernmost island, past Mull and Coll, taking its name from the Gaelic Tir An Eorna (the land below the waves). Tiree is both Britain’s sunniest place and windiest which, with its sandy beaches, makes it a surfing Mecca.
Step back in time and explore Tiree’s prehistory, from standing stones and circles, to crannogs (dwellings), brochs (towers) and duns (forts). Explore Tiree’s Gaelic heritage in the island’s community archive, Scarnish’s An Iodhlann and find out more at Sandaig’s Island Life Museum.
Escape along the north coast, west of Vaul, to strike Clack a’Choire (Ringing Stone) and catch its metallic ringing, or visit Hynish’s exhibition about Skerryvore Lighthouse, 17km south-west of Tiree, built by Robert Louis Stevenson’s uncle, Alan. With Atlantic waves breaking onshore, sample sea kayaking, wind-surfing or wave-surfing, with October seeing the annual Tiree Wave Classic.
Locals on Tiree revel in the taste of local lobster, Tiree-raised lamb and beef. Tiree’s first hotel was the Scarnish Hotel built in 1801; now as well as hotels there is plenty of self-catering accommodation and warm bars with a wide range of that Scottish tipple: malt whisky. |