Arran
On the western side of Arran island is Machrie Moor Stone Circle, a pleasant 1.2-mile stroll from the parking area on the coastal road, or an extended…
Must-see attractions in Southern Highlands & Islands
Mull
Mull Museum, which records the history of the island, is a good place to go on a rainy day. There are interesting exhibits on crofting, and on the…
Southern Highlands & Islands
At Connel Bridge, 5 miles north of Oban, the loch joins the sea via a narrow channel partly blocked by an underwater rock ledge. When the tide flows in…
Southern Highlands & Islands
In the Pass of Brander, by the A85, you can visit this power station. Electric buses take you more than half a mile inside Ben Cruachan, allowing you to…
Oban
This handsome distillery has been in operation since 1794. The standard guided tour leaves regularly (worth booking) and includes a dram, a take-home…
Southern Highlands & Islands
Dating from 1899, these toilets are a monument to lavatorial luxury − a disinfectant-scented temple of green and black marbled stoneware, glistening white…
Loch Lomond
The centrepiece of Loch Lomond Shores is this aquarium, which has displays on the wildlife of Loch Lomond, an otter enclosure (housing short-clawed Asian…
Mull
Fleeces from the Hebridean sheep on this farm are woven into fine woollen products using venerable looms, which you can see at work in the old cowshed…
Arran
This museum has a varied collection of historical and ethnographic items, from prehistoric stone tools to farming implements. There's quite a bit to see…
Southern Highlands & Islands
A very unusual sight awaits in this cave on the southern side of Davaar island, at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch. On the wall of the cave is an eerie…
Islay
Islay’s long history is lovingly recorded in this museum, housed in the former Free Church. Prize exhibits include an illicit still, 19th-century crofters…
Arran
Still under construction when we last passed by, this new malt-whisky distillery will open to visitors in 2019. Run by the same folk who operate the…
Islay
Two miles down the narrow road towards Bunnahabhain, this new independent distillery was due to begin production just after the time of research. It's in…
Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
Mull
This place has displays, videos and interactive exhibits on whale and dolphin biology and ecology, and is a great place for kids to learn about sea…
Mull
This bijou distillery was established in 1798. It doesn't always open on winter weekends; phone ahead to check or book. There are two whisky lines here:…
Southern Highlands & Islands
Set in a former piggery on the Torrisdale Castle estate, this new distillery on the eastern side of Kintyre has been turning heads in the spirit world,…
Islay
In the centre of Bowmore, this distillery malts its own barley. The tour begins with an overblown marketing video, but is redeemed by a look at (and taste…
Southern Highlands & Islands
The most interesting displays in this museum behind Rothesay Castle are those recounting the history of the famous Clyde steamers. Other galleries cover…
Arran
Photogenic 13th-century Lochranza Castle is said to have been the inspiration for the castle in The Black Island, Hergé’s Tintin adventure. Standing on a…
Southern Highlands & Islands
Situated at Colonsay House, 1.5 miles north of Scalasaig, these gardens are tucked in an unexpected fold of the landscape and are famous for their…
Islay
Peaty and powerful, this is one of the triumvirate of southern distilleries near Port Ellen. The Core Range tour (£15) is a good option, cutting out much…
Southern Highlands & Islands
There aren't a whole lot of indoor attractions on the island of Jura apart from visiting the Isle of Jura Distillery. The standard tour runs twice a day,…
Islay
A pleasant drive or ride leads past the distilleries to ruined Kildalton Chapel, 8 miles from Port Ellen. In the kirkyard is the exceptional late 8th…
Arran
This brewery, 1.5 miles from Brodick off the Lochranza road, produces the excellent Arran beers, which include the addictive Arran Dark. Tours run daily:…
Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust
Oban, Mull & Tiree
The friendly Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust is set in a traditional Ellenabeich cottage and displays fascinating old photographs illustrating life…
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
Glengoyne Distillery, about 2 miles south of Killearn, is a traditional place run by genuine people in lovely surrounds. There are various tours: the…
Mull
By the harbour car park, this aquarium has good information on the local marine environment, and little touch pools with crabs, starfish and the like for…
Islay
Laphroaig produces famously peaty whiskies just outside Port Ellen. Of the various premium tastings that it offers, the 'Water to Whisky' tour (£100) is…
Mull
Mull’s best (and busiest) silver-sand beach, flanked by cliffs and with views out to Coll and Tiree, is about 12 miles west of Tobermory. And yes – this…
Islay
Seven miles north of Port Charlotte is Loch Gruinart Nature Reserve, where you can hear corncrakes in summer and see huge flocks of migrating ducks, geese…
Islay
This microbrewery in a craft-shop complex by Islay House produces a range of real ales, all bottled by hand. After a complimentary tour, you can taste the…
The Trossachs
In the village of Balquhidder (ball-whidder), 9 miles north of Callander off the A84, there's a churchyard with – perhaps – Rob Roy's grave. It's an…
Oban, Mull & Tiree
The picturesque harbour and hamlet of Hynish, near Tiree's southern tip, was built in the 19th century to house workers and supplies for the construction…
Oban
Crowning the hill above town is this Colosseum-like Victorian folly, commissioned in 1890 by local worthy John Stuart McCaig, with the philanthropic…
Mull
The curious and cheerful Old Byre brings Mull’s heritage and natural history to life through a series of tableaux and half-hour film shows. The prize for…
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Southern Highlands & Islands
This nature centre near the Knapdale beaver project has regular wildlife walks and events; check the website. Drop by the centre for advice on wildlife…
Southern Highlands & Islands
Kilmartin Churchyard contains medieval grave slabs with carved effigies of knights, swords, shears and hunting scenes. They date across various centuries…
Islay
Pronounced ‘cull ee-lah’, Caol Ila is located a mile north of Port Askaig. It's a big, industrial set-up but enjoys a wonderful location with great views…
Oban, Mull & Tiree
An Iodhlann is a historical and genealogical library and archive, where some of the tens of thousands of descendants of Tiree emigrants come to trace…
Oban, Mull & Tiree
This interesting museum, on the small island of Easdale just offshore from Ellenabeich, has displays about the slate industry and life on the islands in…
