Western Isles/Hebrides

I love Islay. We were there while they were filming Spring watch a few years ago, we had lovely weather.

My in-laws lived on Mull for a couple of years after retiring and I thought Tobermory was about as close to heaven on earth as you could get! If you go to Mull, do try to get to Iona as well - a wonderful place. I feel you might have quite a few offers of bag carriers from present company!

Just reading your posts is making me more excited I've now also written away (in an email) to Visit Scotland for old fashioned brochures to pore over.

Vatersay beach. Many blissful days spent there, Granny23. We were lucky enough to go over to Mingulay in a tiny boat, along with a vicar, his dog, 2 old ladies, and a film producer andhis little girl. He was going to see his artist wife (Julie Brooke), who had been living on the island for 6 weeks, so that he could bring her cat back, before the shepherds went on to Mingulay to bring the sheep off.....oh, the memories!!

The first time we went to the Western Isles we did it the wrong way round - South to North - meaning that we rushed through Barra and Eriskey and were left with time on our hands in Stornoway. Best to go North to South and leave plenty time for Barra and Vattersay which are simply the best. Try to be in Castlebay to go to the Ceilidh in the pub on a Saturday night. You must not miss the Callanish Stone Circle, nor the airport in Barra, nor the Castle in the bay at Castlebay. Everyone has a different favourite beach - try them all. And learn a few Gaelic phrases - s'math sin - pronounced 'smashin' is easy to remember and as it means super, brilliant, great you will use it a lot!

Don't worry about the weather - last summer the Western Isles had the driest, sunniest record for the whole of Britain and if it does rain it usually fairs up again in half an hour. We will be in Castlebay early July this year with the DGC, DDs and Sons-out-law. 3rd year in a row, just love the place

I wish I was going with you!

Go to Gigha ('God's Isle'). To Islay and Jura. To Barra, to Harris, to Lewis....oh you lucky, lucky thing! !

hello oh how I wish I was going with you. The highlands and islands of Scotland are always in my dreams. I cannot tell you your best plan but have done 4 trips to the west coast including Skye from which on a perfect day you can view Eigg and/orRhum that remains a magical image in my mind. My father was born on the isle of Scalpay but the year we decided to visit was too late for the ferries. Wherever you go you will never want to be anywhere else it is all they say it is..Stunning round every bend. Happy Holidays x