The Hebrides Archipelago, a Journey Deep into the Heart of the Wilderness

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, lies along the River Liffey and opens out to Dublin Bay on the country's east coast. Experience the city’s friendly spirit in Temple Bar, a lively pedestrian area filled with charming cobblestone streets, unique shops, pubs, and art venues. Nearby, visit Trinity College, home to a renowned 18th-century library, then walk down Grafton Street. There, you can enjoy a warm scone with clotted cream and jam at one of the city's well-known tea shops. Just a short distance away, the grand O’Connell Bridge takes you to O’Connell Street, where you’ll find the Spire—a striking modern sculpture towers above the avenue.

Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, sits in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. While the island is famous for its challenging annual TT motorbike race, Douglas is known for its charm as a traditional seaside resort. A walk along the lively promenade is a favorite activity, and the Manx Museum offers insight into the island's rich Celtic and Viking history. A steam train ride into the island’s mountainous interior reveals views of medieval castles, picturesque villages, and scenic farmland.

Portrush is a small seaside resort in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, which is famous for hosting The Open golf tournament in 1951 and 2019. The main part of the old town is located on a peninsula that is 1.5-km (1-mile) long, Ramore Head. With three beautiful sandy beaches, the town has a pleasant seaside atmosphere and great appeal due to its proximity to exceptional cultural sites, such as Dunluce Castle or the Giant’s Causeway, a unique natural wonder, the most fascinating formation of basalt columns in the world, and the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland.

10 kilometers (6 miles) off the coast of Northern Ireland in County Antrim, Rathlin Island, shaped by Irish and Scottish history, was the site of the first Viking raid on Ireland in the 8th century. It is a favourite spot for divers, as the surrounding waters hide many sunken wrecks. This small austere territory, with impressive cliffs, is today home to 80 inhabitants. It's impossible not to admire the dance of the seabirds perched on the steep cliffs near the unusual upside-down lighthouse on the island's west coast. Visit the RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Center to learn more about the puffins, razorbills, and black-legged kittiwakes that inhabit the island.

Of all the islands in the Inner Hebrides, Iona is by far the most conducive to contemplation and meditation. And for good reason... it is here that St Columba landed from Ireland in 563 and undertook to establish Christianity in Scotland. Now an abbey, the islandﾒs true spiritual center stands where the ancient monastery founded by the Irish missionary was built. Many kings of Scotland, including the legendary Macbeth, are buried in the nearby cemetery. In sunny weather, arriving on the Isle of Iona is a stunningly beautiful experience.

The Treshnish Isles lie off the Isle of Mull, to the west of Scotland, forming a small archipelago of seven islands of volcanic origin that belongs to the Inner Hebrides. Basalt cliffs and rocky coves shape the contours of the largest island, Lunga, while its inner lands are carpeted with moors. Inhabited until the 19th century, Lunga still bears the remains of traditional blackhouses, visible in situ. Designated a Special Protection Area, the island is now the kingdom of pelagic birds, including Atlantic puffins, and also home to a large seal colony. The craggy terrain and panoramic scenery of this island delight bird-watchers and nature-lovers.

In the south of the Isle of Skye, Loch Scavaig, found along the river of the same name—the shortest in Great Britain—reveals breathtaking scenery. The reflections of the Cuillin Hills, granite slopes blanketed in heather and often veiled in morning mist, shimmer on the loch’s still waters, offering a truly memorable sight. Perhaps you are lucky enough to spot some harbor seals and grey seals lazing on the shore. Let yourself be tempted by a hike to discover Loch Coruisk and its sublime panorama at the foot of the Black Cuillin ridge, which has inspired many painters, including J. M. W. Turner.

The Hebrides archipelago has many natural treasures, including Canna, a preserved little island with the pretty nickname “the garden of the Hebrides”. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Canna has only around twenty inhabitants today, but its territory has a rich history featuring Christians, Celtic monks, Norse settlers, and Scottish communities, all of whom left traces of their passage, monuments, churches or Celtic crosses as heritage. You take the time to enjoy the beauty of nature here, between the land and the ocean, from the diversity of the floral species to the captivating dance of the seabirds, including guillemots, come to nest in the island’s protected spaces. 

On the West Coast of the Northern Highlands, you’re sure to be charmed by the picturesque city of Ullapool, so often admired by holidaymakers passing through. While this delightful fishing port has proven to be the ideal departure point for exploring the region on foot, the place itself is worth the detour. Stretching along the quiet, majestic banks of Loch Broom, whitewashed cottages line the harbor and the pretty pebble beach. The view of the surrounding mountains only makes this image postcard-perfect. To find out more about Ullapool’s origins, you can visit the town’s museum dedicated to local history.

In Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, on the legendary Isle of Lewis, Callanish dazzles and surprises, fascinates and questions. On the eastern coast of the island, where land and sea rub shoulders and clash in the tumult of wild nature, discover the Callanish Stones megalithic site. No fewer than 51 stones stand in the middle of the peat fields. Deliberately arranged about 5,000 years ago, they are a mysterious testimony to the Stone Age. There are many theories as to the purpose of these stones — a place of worship, a lunar calendar, an astronomic observatory or a healing center — but they remain an enigma. The singular atmosphere of this site lends itself to all sorts of interpretations, to all sorts of dreams and musings.

The Shiant Islands derive their name from the Gaelic, Na h-Eileanan Seunta, which means “enchanted isles”. Whether in the mist that frequently envelops the archipelago or beneath a radiant sun, the visitors discovering the Shiant Islands quickly fall under their spell. A veritable paradise for observing seabirds and marine mammals, the archipelago offers magnificent scenery. Puffins, guillemots, and razorbills find refuge in the cliffs here, co-existing with fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. White-tailed eagles soar above inaccessible cliffs. As for the seals, they gather around rocky formations.

Rothesay is an elegant seaside resort and the main town on the Isle of Bute, a Scottish island bathed by the Firth of Clyde, a vast expanse of coastal water sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre Peninsular. The town has some remarkable monuments, including its castle, a 13th-century building modified several times over its turbulent history between Norwegian attacks and English invasion. You also discover the Victorian architecture of the houses overlooking the romantic Rothesay Bay, as well as the Isle of Bute Discovery Center, a unique circular structure from the 1920s constructed of cast iron and glass. Make sure you visit Mount Stuart House, an incredible 19th-century manor house built in the Georgian architectural style, with an interior that was modern for the time, and its magnificent wild and landscaped gardens.

In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotland's biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The city's chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Don't miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.