Brodick is the main village on the Isle of Arran, a bustling port that sits on a bay opposite the towering Goatfell mountain. Highlights include the impressive 16th century Brodick Castle, and it’s only a short drive to Lochranza on the north coast, home to an even older castle and the Arran Distillery.

Islay is renowned for its peaty, smoky whiskies, and the island is home to nine different distilleries, including the famous Laphroaig. Other highlights include the RSPB Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve and the ruins at Finlaggan, former seat of the Lords of the Isles.

The tiny island of Iona, situated off the southwestern tip of Mull, is said to be the cradle of Christianity in Scotland, and is a popular place of pilgrimage. Thousands of visitors flock here every year to visit the Abbey, and the island gets particularly busy in summer.

The Barra Isles (also known as the Bishop’s Isles) consist of nine small islands that lie, somewhat confusingly, to the south of the isle of Barra. The only inhabited island is Vatersay, with its beautiful beaches, Bronze Age archaeological sites and wildlife including otters, seals and puffins.

Situated on a natural harbour on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, Stornoway is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides. The island is one of the last major strongholds of the Gaelic language, and is home to fascinating Neolithic sites such as the mysterious standing stones at Callanish.

The outlying Shiant Isles are a key breeding site for seabirds, home to species including Atlantic puffins, razorbills, common guillemots and northern fulmars. The islands are also a haven for seals and basking sharks, and are said to be haunted by mythical creatures known as ‘kelpies’.

Loch Scavaig is a sea loch off the southwest coast of Skye, where the Scavaig river - at a few hundred metres long, possibly the shortest river in the British Isles - meets the sea, after flowing down from Loch Coruisk in the Cuillin mountains.

The Isle of Eigg is part of the Inner Hebridean archipelago known as the Small Isles, and is easily recognisable thanks to An Sgurr, the dramatic pitchstone lava ridge that dominates the island. Climb the rock if you’re feeling fit, and enjoy fantastic views of Skye and Ardnamurchan from the summit.

Tobermory, an old fishing station brightened by a crescent of colourful houses, is the main settlement on the Isle of Mull. This rugged and varied island is one of the most popular destinations in the Hebrides, and is rich in wildlife, home to species including white-tailed eagles, otters and whales.

The island of Colonsay is blessed with a varied landscape of birch woods, sandy beaches, rugged hills and grassy lowlands known as ‘machair’. Highlights include the dramatic sweep of Kiloran Bay and the magnificent gardens of Colonsay House, spread over some 30 acres.