5 Reasons You Should Visit the Isle of Tiree this Summer
Scarinish Harbour
I've been fortunate enough to adventure all around the world. To look across the seas for exotic locations in which to spend my holidays. Some of us go to Spain, France, Italy, to the white sands of Greece, or if we're feeling particularly adventurous to Turkey, Egypt and Asia beyond. Going north in Summer always seemed a bit – well… wrong.
Doesn't it get cold up north? I thought. Doesn't it rain a lot? And isn't the wind as bitter as broken glass? The very thought of spending my summer months on the Isle of Tiree seemed more foreign than a week in the markets of Morocco.
It's a common myth in the lands down south – which everything is from Tiree's point of view. If Scotland is seen as wild and woolly, the Hebrides are viewed as little more than barren, windswept rocks forgotten in the North Atlantic.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Such suspicion – and the complete lack of awareness about the tiny Isle of Tiree – is a blessing and a curse. Few ever dare venture to this western-most point of the Inner Hebrides, which means its picturesque vistas of verdant grasslands and alabaster beaches are all yours. But it meant the island's tourist economy remained underdeveloped for many years.
As the legendary Scottish bard, Robert Burns warned, "Suspicion is a heavy armour, and with its weight, it impedes more than it protects."
The Isle of Tiree is too good to be forgotten. This pristine paradise deserves to be shared; it deserves to be at the top of your summer holiday wish list.
It's time to question our assumptions about this Hebridean jewel. This is why you need to visit the Isle of Tiree this summer:
Tiree has a mild climate year round
The Isle of Tiree is beautiful
It's peaceful and quiet island
There's loads to do on Tiree
Tiree’s menagerie of wildlife
Why you need to visit the Isle of Tiree this summer
1. Tiree has a mild climate year round
Sunset on Balevullin Beach
Contrary to popular belief, the Isle of Tiree is not cold. Despite occupying the same latitude as Russia and Canada, our verdant little island has an incredibly mild climate. In fact, it's one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Don't believe me?
In May, the sunniest month, the island averages 238.8 hours of sunshine; that's more than most months in Cornwall! Even more impressive, it's only a couple of degrees cooler. You can thank the warming currents of the Gulf Stream, which bless the island with warm and balmy summer evenings. That means wearing a t-shirt and shorts from April through to August.
Plus, if your idea of a perfect holiday is sunning it on the beach – you're in luck! However, the best way to enjoy the summer sun is a lunchtime picnic down on the beach. Or even watching the golden sun blur into hues of red and purple as it sets below the horizon.
Speaking of which…
2. The Isle of Tiree is beautiful
“Pudding” house at Gott Bay
Tiree is a hidden gem – 30 square miles of pure perfection. Indeed, far from the myth of being a barren rock, it's a fertile, charming landscape of crofts, white sands, and endless ocean. The island's name actually means 'land of the corn' due to its fertile nature – and the 'Sun of Barley' still adorns the island's flag on a field of vibrant green.
Amongst these rolling hills, you'll find the traditional vernacular architecture of its Hebridean past. Look out for the 'pudding houses' – where the stone contrasts with the white mortar. And between those are the fields, the crofts and their sheep, and the meadows of wildflowers.
Meanwhile, at night, you can finally see the stars. Everyone thinks they already have – until, of course, they come to Tiree. "I never knew there were so many," is a typical comment, from children to adults. If you head over to the Dark Sky Discovery Site at Balevullin Beach, you can see the whole Milky Way rippling across the night. You may even spot the Northern Lights – if you're lucky!
It's the best Scotland – and indeed, the world – has to offer. It really doesn't get better than this.
3. It's peaceful and quiet island
Do you ever feel you need a holiday to recover from your holiday? You pack so much in that you never get a chance to just… breathe. Not so on the Isle of Tiree. Here you have all the air in the world at the ready. You can relax and find a little slice of peace and quiet you won't find anywhere else.
Fancy a beach to yourself? The question is which one. Tiree's coastline is scalloped into a string of ivory coves, each as pristine and secluded as the last. Soak in the sun. Go for a dip. Relax with a good book.
Plus, if you're looking to take your family – and all the kids – somewhere without all the stress and hassle, you should know – stress is an alien word on Tiree. The island is a tonic for the soul.
4. There's loads to do on Tiree
Windsurfing at Crossapol
Bringing kids to a remote island always raises the question – is there anything to do? Even adults need more than a beautiful beach.
Yes! The Isle of Tiree is a thriving hub of history, culture, and outdoorsy activities.
First up – get your wetsuits on; it's time to go windsurfing. Known as the 'Hawaii of the North', the Isle of Tiree is a popular spot for windsurfers and other water sports. If you're new, check out one of the island's surf schools. There's honestly no better place to learn. You can also hire a canoe, paddling along the coastline as you explore the rock pools and shorelines brimming with fish, crabs, and lobsters.
Of course, being an island, the outdoors is a big part of life here. You can wander all over the island – including up Ben Hynish, the island's tallest hill (141m), taking in the breathtaking panoramas. Then head down to the beach for a game of volleyball or a BBQ before the setting sun.
Elsewhere, you can explore the island's prehistoric past. Dun Mor Vaul, for example, is an iron-age broch built to protect the island's inhabitants from attack. And more than a few museums delve into the island's history. Plus, you can also visit the island's one and only distillery, producing a fabulous, tasty gin.
5. Tiree’s menagerie of wildlife
Geese in flight at Balephuil
Perhaps, best of all, is the island wildlife. You'll find stubborn sheep – who won't be hurried; highland cows, with their orange hair and pointed horns; as well as vast flocks of seabirds, like Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans (yes, all the birds have fantastic names). You can also spot tons of brown hares hopping across the landscape.
Out at sea, dolphins, porpoises, seals, minke whales, and basking sharks are routinely seen, and, as I mentioned, the rock pools are brimming with crabs and starfish. It's a fantastic first exposure to wildlife for young children – and an endless world to explore.
Conclusion
Visiting the Isle of Tiree is an unforgettable experience. Indeed, people return year after year. They love the homely environment and friendly islanders. They can't believe the golden sun and bounty of wildlife. To be honest, few who live on the island can believe their luck either.
And yet, it remains one of the few unknown Hebridean islands, being tucked away in the margins of the world. It's a place to get away from it all, to recharge your batteries and unwind.
Come pay us a visit. We can't wait to see you!