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Caption: Scotland's unsung Hebridean hero ISLAY
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Caption: The thing about Islay is it’s so wonderfully devoid of billboards, advertising, or much commercialism at all.
This lack of meaningless ‘noise’ means that your mind is clear to appreciate the natural beauty in every crevice.
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Caption: SINGING SANDS BEACH
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Caption: Singing Sands Beach on Islay’s Oa Peninsula has soft white sand and pretty turquoise water, but look closer and you’ll see the rocks have been so smoothed down over decades of erosion that they practically look soft.
Or
that the more jagged clusters of stones are hiding sparkling clumps of quartz that shimmer in the sunlight.
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Caption: MACHIR BAY
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Caption: This stretch of practically untouched sand is incredible.
Strong currents mean swimming is a no-no but there are almost 2km of dunes to climb and whistling long grasses to sit in and admire the views out onto the Atlantic ocean
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Caption: TIP: There’s great parking just behind the dunes for anyone travelling with a caravan, which is a brilliant idea if you’re travelling through Scotland during the peak summer season. We recommend you make good use of Scotland’s no trespassing laws and nab a spot here for a night or two.
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Caption: THE AMERICAN MONUMENT
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Caption: Lace up your hiking boots and prepare to get slightly muddy but we guarantee you’ll love us for it.
Built in 1920 by the American Red Cross as a memorial for the loss of two troop ships that sunk into the frozen waters off nearby Machir Bay, this dome-shaped monolith on the Mull of Oa sits isolated on one of the most breathtaking hikes you’ll do while in Scotland.
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Caption: Winding marshland walks through farmland as far as the eye can see.
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Caption: You'll pass through large fields of these gentle giants. Totally safe, despite how they appear.
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Caption: THE KIDALTON CROSS
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Caption: Allow us to blow your mind a little bit. This monolithic stone in the ruins of a former parish church has been standing in the wind and rain since the 8th century AD. Let that sink in a little bit.
The birth of Queen Victoria? It was here.
The moon landing? It was here.
The fall of the Berlin Wall? It was here.
The Cold War? It was here.
The launch of the iPhone? Just here, chilling out and being extremely ancient.
We know that’s obvious but for some reason it really hits you as you stare at the near-perfect carvings as a spooky mist of rain falls all around.
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Caption: If you're lucky you might spy a couple of peacocks fighting by the side of the road. Because, Scotland.
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Caption: THE CARRAIG FHADA LIGHTHOUSE
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Caption: You would’ve spied this either on the route to Singing Sands Beach and climbing the rocks around the structure offers some truly stunning views back towards Port Ellen.
Commissioned in 1832 by Walter Frederick Campbell for Lady Ellenor Campbell, there’s a beautiful inscription on a plaque above the door reading...
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Caption: "Ye who mid storms and tempests stray in
dangers midnight hour.
Behold where shines this friendly ray and
hail its guardian tower.
Tis but faint emblem of her light my fond
and faithful guide.
Whose sweet example meekin bright led
through this worlds eventful tide my happy course aright.
And still my guiding star she lives in realms
of bliss above.
Still to my heart blest influence gives and
prompts to deeds of love.
Tis she that bids me on the steep kindle this
beacons flame.
To light the wanderer o`er the deep who safe
shall bless her name.
So may sweet virtue lead your way that
when life`s voyage is o`er.
Secure like her with her you may attain the
heavenly shore."
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Caption: Because this is Scotland and poetry is everywhere.
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Caption: KILCHOMAN OLD PARISH CHURCH & CEMETARY
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Caption: We know what you’re thinking, nothing says ‘chill holiday vibes’ like a stroll through some headstones but Scotland isn’t really the place you come for the lighter side of travel. It’s rough and wild, with constantly shifting scenery that’ll have you believing in myths and legends by the end of your journey. No more so than at the Kilchoman Old Parish Church.
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Caption: FINLAGGEN TRUST VISITOR CENTRE
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Caption: This is the ancient home of the Lordship of the Isles, a sacred place where early Scottish nobility and clans (we’re talking Middle Ages here) would meet and commune on land matters.
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Caption: But what if it rains?
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Caption: Weather set in and not sure what to do? Embrace the great indoors and revel in the delicious fresh seafood at this 9-bedroom inn in the heart of Bowmore town. This place has such a stellar reputation that they practically beg for non-locals to book weeks in advance but we found that if you ask nicely the owners will work hard to squeeze you into a cosy corner. Ask for the scampi, venison and crab salad and nurse a few wines until the clouds blow over. The beauty of a Scottish summer is that the rain never sets in for too long.
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Caption: Photography: Dominic Loneragan
Words: Meghan Loneragan
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