Scottish Islands Tours

Our Scottish island tours take you beyond the mainland to discover geology that's 400 million years in the making. Spot wildlife that'll have you reaching for binoculars, and ancient mysteries no one's quite figured out yet. From the legendary Isle of Skye to the windswept Outer Hebrides, our island hopping Scotland adventures run from 1 to 17 days, departing from 3 different locations, letting you see these stunning isles on a trip that’s convenient as well as unforgettable.

The Scottish islands we explore on our tours

Our Scottish island tours visit some of Scotland's most captivating isles, each with its own character and stories to tell.

The Isle of Skye draws crowds for good reason. The jagged Cuillin mountains, the Old Man of Storr, and Fairy Pools aren't just Instagram fodder; they're genuinely breathtaking.

The Isle of Mull is where you’re most likely to see a whale, dolphin, or porpoise. Explore Tobermory's colourful houses along the harbour, and visit stunning Calgary Bay.

Orkney isn't just islands. It's a time machine. Skara Brae is a 5,000-year-old village where you can see stone beds and ancient toilets, and the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness make Stonehenge look young.

Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides offer real remoteness. Discover Harris Tweed, still handwoven by islanders using traditional looms, walk on beaches that resemble the Caribbean (if you ignore the temperature) and see Callanish standing stones that predate the pyramids. 

The Isle of Iona is a small island that was once the epicentre of Celtic Christianity. There's something peaceful about it that's hard to explain until you're there.

The Isle of Staffa is home to Fingal’s Cave, a natural cathedral of hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows and famously inspiring Mendelssohn. In summer, puffins nest here, and visits are only possible when boats can land safely.

The Isle of Arran is called "Scotland in miniature" because it's got mountains, glens, beaches and whisky distilleries all packed onto one island.

The Isle of Islay (pronounced eye-luh) is whisky country. Eight craft distilleries produce some of Scotland's smokiest, peatiest drams, and if that’s not your cup of tea, the rugged coastline is worth the ferry ride alone.

The Isle of Bute sits in the Firth of Clyde, close to Glasgow. Mount Stuart House is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece, and the island's got a gentler, more cultivated feel than some of its wilder neighbours.

Where our Scottish island tours depart from

Our island hopping Scotland adventures depart from three main locations. Scottish island tours from Edinburgh depart daily from the city centre. Or if you're already in the Highlands, our tours from Inverness head north to Orkney or west to Skye. We also run Scottish island tours from Glasgow, getting you to the islands quickly from Scotland's largest city. Our mini-coaches pick you up from central meeting points, so you don't need to navigate to some obscure car park on the outskirts.

How long you’ll need for a tour of the Scottish islands

Rabbie’s holidays to the Scottish islands range from single-day trips to 17-day epic adventures. If you’ve only got 24 hours, a day trip to Skye or Arran will give you a proper taste. Three to five days lets you combine multiple islands. Our one- to two-week tours mean you can reach the remotest Outer Hebrides and Orkney without rushing.

When can you go?

Our Scottish island tours 2026 run from late March through to October. Some islands, like Staffa, are only accessible in calmer summer months when boats can land safely. Spring brings wildflowers and fewer crowds, while summer means longer days, and autumn offers dramatic light and the chance to see the Northern Lights in Orkney. Winter tours are limited because there are fewer ferries in bad weather, and you don't want to be island hopping in January when it's dark at 3pm and blowing a gale.

How you’ll get from island to island

You'll travel in our 16-seat mini-coaches, which fit down single-track roads that big coaches can't manage. When roads end, we take ferries. Calmac ferries connect most islands to the mainland and to each other. These aren't tiny boats, they're proper car ferries with cafes and lounges where you can watch Scotland slide past.

For Staffa, weather permitting, we use smaller boats that can get right into Fingal's Cave. Your driver-guide sorts all the ferry bookings and timings, so you just enjoy the crossing.

What's included in our holidays to the Scottish islands?

A tour of the Scottish islands with Rabbie's includes your driver-guide, transport in our mini-coaches, and all ferry crossings. On overnight tours, accommodation is sorted for you. We also include some admissions to key sites, depending on which tour you choose.

What's not included: meals (so you can try that seafood restaurant your guide recommends), optional extras like boat trips to see puffins, and any whisky you might purchase. We like you to have flexibility rather than forcing you through a set itinerary where every moment is planned.

Where you’ll sleep on overnight Scottish island tours

For our Scotland island tours lasting multiple days, we've picked locally owned guesthouses, small hotels, and B&Bs. No chain hotels or massive resorts; partly because they don't exist on most islands, but mainly because the family-run places are far better. Expect comfortable rooms, proper Scottish breakfasts, and hosts who'll tell you where to watch the sunset. Single travellers can request their own room for a small extra cost, or we can match you with another solo traveller.

Why book with Rabbie's for your holiday to the Scottish islands?

When you book, you go. There’s no minimum numbers nonsense, and as a certified B Corp we balance profit with purpose, giving £10 to environmental and community projects for every ton of carbon we use. We travel in small 16-seat coaches, not big bus crowds, and after touring Scottish islands since 1993, we’ve nailed the ferries, timings, and perfect island pairings. Our driver-guides don’t just drive. They bring places to life. They know where the best coffee’s hiding, when the seals haul out at low tide, and why that stone has a name. And if we ever get it wrong? You get your money back.