Once the ancestral seat of the Lords of the Isles, Islay is a fertile island of low heather-clad hills, attractive beaches, numerous historical sites and more whisky distilleries than any other Scottish island!

A haven for hill-walkers and bird-watchers, it is home to the huge Loch Gruinart bird sanctuary and its vast numbers of migrating geese.

In the island capital, Bowmore, you can visit the unusual Round Church (no corners for the devil to hide in!) or if history is your thing, the Museum of Island Life in Port Charlotte is well worth a visit, as are the ruins of Finlaggan Castle, home of the Macdonald chiefs, and Kildalton Chapel with its early Christian cross.

Easily accessible for day-trips are the neighbouring islands of Jura - whose rugged scenery belies the glorious splendour of Jura House Garden - and pretty Colonsay (Wednesdays only), which boasts spectacular Kiloran Bay.