5 Valentine Scottish Getaways

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the deficit from Christmas over-spending leaves little for an international getaway. But, there is hope. Scotland have affordable deals and islands to rival that of international resorts. If you’re looking to escape the city for peace and quiet, there is no better retreat from the chaos of modern life than these five, fine islands off the west coast.

Mull

If you’re a wildlife buff, then Mull is a paradise. A great island, from ancient castles to beautiful beaches and even an abbey on its little offshoot, Iona.

St Columbus landed here from Ireland in 563AD and established a church here to convert the pagan Scots. These days it’s a place of spiritual pilgrimage and undoubtedly there is a very special atmosphere here.

Besides its natural wonders, rich history and wildlife, Mull has an excellent food trail of farm shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and even road-end honesty-boxes, all offering fresh local produce that showcases the very best of Mull’s meat, shellfish, fruit, herbs and vegetables.

There’s also a fine whisky distillery producing the excellent Tobermory, and a brewing company too.

 

 

Colonsay

A two-hour Cal-Mac ride from Oban, Colonsay is a famous for its folk music festival, its beautiful beaches and as a birdwatchers’ paradise.

With a tiny population of 135 people, there’s one charming little hotel with a lively bar and a good restaurant, and there are plenty of B&Bs and cottages for rent.

Great for cycling, swimming (only for the hardy) and finding your ancestors if you’re a MacNeil or a MacFie.

 

 

  1. Gigha

Just a 20-minute sailing from Tayinloan on the Mull of Kintyre, tiny Gigha  is an encouraging example of a successful islanders’ buy-out, and is now a buoyant community with a good hotel and an arts centre.

Famous for its rare rhododendrons which thrive in the islands’s special Gulf Stream microclimate, Achamore House has a beautiful garden open to the public all year round.

Sheltered from the brunt of the wild Atlantic weather by Islay, the island offers lovely walks, pretty sandy beaches and fresh local seafood including the famous Gigha halibut.

 

  1. Islay

Queen of the Hebrides (pronounced Aye-la), this is a magical island of whisky, birdlife, beautiful handcrafts such as pottery and quilting, and lovely beaches and bays, especially on the Atlantic coast.

There are no fewer than eight working distilleries producing those distinctive peaty, briny drams: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Isla, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphraoig, which you can visit and sample whiskies to your heart’s content.

Cal-Mac’s Islay ferry, the MV Finlaggan is a fine, modern ship and operates on what is one of the most beautiful sailings in Scotland. After departing Kennacraig at the top of the Mull of Kintyre peninsula, it sails down West Loch Tarbert where the Paps of Jura hove into view. On a frosty, blue-sky winter day, the views are simply astounding.

  1. Jura

Largely unpopulated, Islay’s nearest neighbour is a spectacular wilderness, where the snow-capped Paps of Jura loom over the landscape. There’s a small hamlet with its famous whisky distillery, and now the island has Ardlussa gin too.

At the very northern tip, you will find the notorious Corryvreckan whirlpool. Take a boat trip through it if you dare. To reach Jura, take the ferry from Kennacraig to Islay and get off at Port Askaig.

Jura’s stark rugged beauty will leave you entranced. It’s no wonder George Orwell came here to write his masterpiece.