“My one-hour flight from Glasgow revealed colours you would expect to see on a tropical island – seas of jade and emerald dashed with ivory sand.” - Ellie Ross, The Independent

ABOUT TIREE

We’re a small island part of the Duke of Argyll’s vast Scottish landholdings and nestled on the far westerly edge of the Inner Hebrides. Consisting of just over 30 square miles of rolling emerald fields and over 40 miles of tropical clear coastline, you could say it’s the gem of the Hebrides. The year-round home to only a few hundred islanders, it’s a paradise for surfing, windsurfing and outdoor pursuits as well as a bustling music scene.

This hidden Isle offers fantastic holidays and short breaks.From summer sun to winter dark skies, it’s a great destination for families and couples as well as those on a solo adventure. If you want to get away from the mainland for some RnR and exploration, it’s easy to discover all this isolated but well connected island has to offer you.

You’ll always be welcomed by the fantastic hosts, staff and like minded folk on the Isle of Tiree. And unlike the rest of the west coast, because there are very few trees on Tiree and soothing sea breezes, the island is virtually midge free (most of the time), even at the height of summer.

Tiree provides a different pace of life from the everyday. From the moment you wake, to the end of the evening as the soft amber light of the sun dips below the horizon - the day is very much your own. No deadlines, nowhere to rush. If you are after a relaxing holiday, a surf break that will give you the opportunity to spend the entire day on the beach, or a family trip away somewhere new, then Tiree is the ideal place for you. The air is fresh, clean and crisp. You’re only ever a short walk away from some of the country's most breathtaking beaches, which surround the island in a glittering white halo of silky sand and aquamarine waves. Vibrant colours, sparkling water and sunbathed buildings surround you every step of the way.

EXPLORE TIREE

On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Tiree’s sun, waves and natural beauty are the perfect combination for your next adventure or staycation - You may not know this, but the Isle of Tiree is one of the sunniest spots in the UK. Through summer to winter, it often sees better weather than much of the mainland. Even in January, you can find yourself out in no more than a sweater. Nicknamed ‘The Hawaii of the North’ for a reason, sunny warm days and the surf here are enough to beat any tropical beach. It’s a place to relax, to unwind on the south shore or carve up the endless surf on the north shore. When the grey days get too much on the mainland, Tiree is always there, as a welcoming friend, sunshine and blue skies reminiscent of the Caribbean waiting for you.

As for your nights on the Isle of Tiree, with very little light pollution (Tiree has no street lights) and usually clear weather, the isle is one of the best spots in the UK to stargaze. Balevuillin beach is a dedicated Dark Sky Discovery Site of ‘Milky Way’ Class, which means it is part of a nationwide network of places that provide excellent views of the night sky and that the Milky Way can be seen from this spot with the naked eye. You might even catch the Northern Lights! Everything about this little island will have you loving island life and the world a little more. It’s a reminder of the beauty we can find in unexpected places. Tiree never disappoints in its idyllic landscape and remote freshness.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The History of the Isle of Tiree is one of a constantly changing and evolving community. The island has been inhabited since as early as before the 5th century, and has a longstanding culture of change.

The first historical mention of Tiree came from an Irish account of the Picts, in which it states that they ‘Landed on Tiree beyond Islay’ after sailing north from Leinster. This is the first known occupation of the island, but in the 5th century the Pict community were displaced, by the arrival of Gaelic speaking Scots that had made their way to the island from Ireland - You may not know the Scots originate from Ireland.  This event sets a precedent for the island as an ever-changing culture, and society with a wide variety of historical backgrounds. An ever-changing culture remains very much a part of Tiree culture today.

Surprisingly, Tiree only officially came under Scottish rule in 1266, at which point it was controlled by clan MacDonald. Before that, like many of the Scottish Islands, we were under Norse rule. In 1567 it was then passed on to the MacLeans.

The Isle of Tiree has a rich and varied history, with occupying nationalities changing over the hundreds of years that people have called it home. Since becoming a lively and hardy part of Scottish society, the population of the island has dramatically fluctuated. Ancestral links to Tiree can be found all over the world, as the highland clearances saw vast swathes of inhabitants emigrate.

We are immensely proud of our wide ranging cultural links to different communities, and the welcoming nature of the island that means newcomers can find their home here in the same way Picts did over 900 years ago. The history of this small island is incredibly vast, and tendrils of it and its impact reach every corner of the world. In the future, we hope to see it continuing to grow, as more people find both their holidays and their forever home on our white ribbon shores.

ON TIREE

Regardless of the length of your stay on Tiree you’ll be able to find everything you need to make each moment one to remember. Whether it’s a summer on the beach or winter enjoying the Scottish version of hygge (called Coorie) everything you need is always close to hand. And if you can’t find it there is always someone on hand to help.

The Isle of Tiree has something for everyone, from the high end boutique hotel to wild camping and everything in between. The island can be traversed by car on the beautiful single track roads, which are also great for cycling, running and walking.   When we talk about the slow pace of life, this is very much part of it. With no need to rush, you can enjoy a winding drive across our island in a way that will only add to the calming presence of the island. The most likely traffic you’ll come across is a herd of cows or a flock of sheep. Alternatively, there are multiple footpaths signposted on the island and the ‘right to roam’ remains in place through both fenced and unfenced areas.

 “One of the first things that happens when travelling on this edge in the Western Isles – of an ocean, of a country and of a continent – is that hurrying makes no sense.” – Madeleine Bunting, The Telegraph

As you leave the ferry in your car there is a small petrol station. It is the only one on the island, but its retro style will make you reminiscent of fuel stations 40 years ago. As with everywhere on the Tiree, staff are friendly and helpful. Scarinish, the small village that hosts the ferry terminal, also houses one of the few cafes - why not treat yourself when you arrive on Tiree to a fresh coffee and a cake at Yellow Hare before heading out along the coast to your accommodation?

DISCOVER TIREE

Tiree is home to a vast array of flora and fauna. Its high level of sunshine, combined with milder year round temperatures, makes it the ideal place for wild plants to grow, and the island is famous for its water birds and waders. In fact, it is home to the UKs largest population of the Corncrake. Through winter months, under the relative warmth of the Gulf Stream, Tiree becomes a stop off for Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans, and is littered with brown hares year round (yet remains one of the few rabbit-free places in Britain). Land mammals and birds alike find their home on Tiree, as the quiet it offers is quite unlike anywhere in the rest of the UK.

If sea life is what you are looking for, then the Island has a plethora of cetacean breeds and reef life that will keep you highly entertained. Dolphins, Porpoise, Seals, Minke Whale and Basking sharks are regular visitors to the island’s coastline, and can sometimes be seen playing in the wake of the ferry on the trip across from the mainland. Occasionally, there has even been the odd Orca spotted, although they are rarer. A trip to Tiree is not without its exciting coastal spots, and the occasionally shout in the car to ‘Pull over! There’s something out there!” As you drive past the beach.

As a spot for diving, free diving and rock pooling, Tiree has a lot to offer. 46 miles of coastline provide a massive variety in sand, pebble and rock beaches, so finding crabs and starfish is not unusual. For avid wildlife lovers, or families wanting a fun way to educate kids, the natural show on Tiree is one of a kind.

Our hidden Isle of Tiree offers fantastic holidays and you’ll always be welcomed. The perfect destination for families, couples and those on a solo adventure’ any time of year.