Tiree and Coll

Tiree and Coll are two nearby islands in the Inner Hebrides. Popular for watersports and the Tiree Music Festival, Tiree is also famous for its pristine beaches and traditionally thatched lime-washed houses. Just across the water, the tranquil Isle of Coll has a small community of 171 residents and boasts a rich variety of flora, fauna, and beautiful landscapes of thriving machair.

Tiree Tea

Local favourite Tiree Tea offers unique blends of tea inspired by the Hebrides for each and every occasion, and is served across the CalMac fleet. Try the strong “crofter” tea to start your day before exploring the island!

Wild Diamond Watersports

Wild Diamond Watersports offers windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, surfing and kayaking on Tiree. The range of beaches on the island offer world class conditions to suit every level from beginner to expert and the strong Atlantic winds of the Hebrides have put Tiree on the map as a watersports destination - just ask surfing champion Ben Larg, who hails from the island.

Tiree Music Festival

The annual Tiree Music Festival happens in July against the backdrop of the island’s pristine beaches. Drawing in visitors from near and far, the festival contemporary acts with traditional Scottish music.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Islands Off Islands (Raasay and Iona)

Scottish Island Adventures - Raasay - and Iona with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Ailidh Lennon

Raasay and Iona

Raasay and Iona are islands off islands. Raasay is reachable by a 15 minute ferry from Sconser on Skye. The island is known for its whisky and is dominated by Dun Caan - a distinctive flat-topped mountain. The sacred island of Iona - despite its small size - draws in visitors from across the world because of its historical and spiritual significance. Iona is accessible by a foot passenger ferry from Fionnphort on Mull.

Raasay Distillery

The Isle of Raasay Distillery emerged from centuries of illicit whisky distilling. It now offers guided tours of the whisky making process, luxury overnight accommodation, and a chance to sample the signature Raasay single malt, while taking in rugged views of Skye across the water.

Iona Abbey

Iona Abbey is one of Scotland’s most important spiritual sites. Established in AD 563 by St. Columba, the abbey was significant in the spreading of Christianity across the west of Scotland and has been a center for pilgrimage for centuries!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Oban

Scottish Island Adventures - Oban - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and with guest Peter MacQueen

Oban

Oban - meaning ‘the little bay’ in Scottish Gaelic - is a historic harbour town nestled on Scotland’s west coast and is known as the gateway to the Hebrides. The town is just a three hour journey by train, bus or car from Glasgow and is the starting point for many CalMac island adventures.

Dunollie Castle

Sitting on a vantage point over the entrance to Oban bay, Dunnollie Castle once guarded the town’s important harbour. The castle is the seat of clan MacDougall and its present day ruins offer a glimpse into the history of the area. It is a landmark easily spotted when sailing into Oban from the islands.

Seafood Shack

Oban is renowned for its seafood and the seafood shack at the marina is a must-visit. The shacks are situated right beside the CalMac departure lounge. Sample fresh lobster, crab, scallops and more next to the boats that brought them while keeping an eye on your ferry!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Dunoon and Kilcreggan

Scottish Island Adventures - Dunoon and Kilcreggan - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, The Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Roo Irvine.

Dunoon and Kilcreggan

Dunoon and Kilcreggan are two towns on peninsulas that are often better reached by ferry rather than the long road round! Dunoon sits on the Cowal Peninsula while Kilcreggan is on the Roseneath Peninsula. Both sit on the edge of the firth of Clyde and are accessible by CalMac Ferry from Gourock.

The Blairmore

The Blairmore is a cafe and shop nestled on the edge of Loch Long between Kilcreggan and Dunoon offering locally sourced produce and traditional Scottish breakfasts. The cafe looks out towards the loch and the pier where the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer The Waverley calls in

Kilcreggan Antiques

Kilcreggan Antiques is an antiques shop run by BBC TV antiques expert Roo Irvine. It originally operated from a shipping container and now operates on the town’s Shore Road

Wreckspeditions

Wreckspeditions offers boat and dive tours of shipwrecks around the Firth of Clyde from Dunoon. The Clyde was once the centre of one of the world’s biggest shipbuilding industries and there are many submerged and semi-submerged wrecks with stories to tell!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Gigha

Scottish Island Adventures - Gigha - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker and singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway and guest Katy Beasley

Gigha

The Isle of Gigha lies off the west coast of Kintyre and has been community owned since 2002. It has a population of 163 and the main settlement, Ardminish, serves as a gateway to the island’s attractions. Gigha is less than a three-hour drive from Glasgow and a short CalMac ferry ride from Tayinloan on the Kintyre Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches and beautiful Hebridean views by foot via a well-established path network through the fertile lands of this small island.

Ardminish Stores

Ardminish Stores is a hotspot of local produce, arts, crafts, treats, and supplies.

Scottish Island Passports

Visitors to the islands can collect digital stamps for 72 different locations via the Scottish Island Passports app to log their island adventures. Each island has its own stamp designed by a local artist and promotes inclusivity, accessibility and local activities for visitors to engage with. For those who are unsure of where to visit, the Scottish Island Passports app can suggest islands and experiences based on your particular interests, such as nature, arts or music.

The Boathouse

Sitting on the shores of the Ardminish Bay at the foot of the Mull of Kintyre with views across the water, The Boathouse restaurant boasts some of the freshest seafood around and has been recommended in the Michelin Guide for the last five years.

Dark Skies Gigha

Dark Skies Gigha is a non-profit community group dedicated to promoting interest in the night sky. With only a few street lights and good air quality on the island, the Isle of Gigha has ‘dark sky’ status. Through regular events for all ages, Dark Skies Gigha provides educational experiences while raising awareness of light pollution’s impact. Whether islanders or visitors, everyone is encouraged to experience the night sky on Gigha!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Small Isles (Eigg)

Scottish Island Adventures - Eigg - with hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, singer-songwriter Natalie Galloway, and guest Ian Stephen.

Eigg and the Small Isles

Sitting between the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish mainland, the Small Isles are made up of Eigg, Rum, Canna and Muck and are accessible by CalMac ferry from Mallaig. Eigg has a population of 110 people and has been community owned since 1997. The entire island is powered by a 100% renewable electricity grid.

Eigg Organics

Eigg Organics is a project championing sustainable living. Visitors can experience stunning views from tranquil surroundings with a stripped-back stay close to nature in a bothy, cabin or campsite, and learn about organic farming at one of the projects gardening courses.

Eigg Brewery

The Isle of Eigg Brewery uses locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices to produce small batch craft beers. A visit to Eigg Brewery is a great way to experience the ethos of the community on Eigg seen through its beer brewing process.

Eigg Guiding

Operating out of a huge green shed next to Eigg’s community shop, Eigg Guiding offers carbon neutral, low-impact adventure activities for locals and visitors alike. Have a splash at paddle boarding or explore underwater kelp forests snorkeling with the help of qualified guides.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Cumbrae

The island of Cumbrae, also known as Great Cumbrae, is Scotland’s most accessible island. An 8 minute ferry journey from Largs, it has been inhabited since the end of the last ice age, but became popular during the 20th century thanks to the Clyde paddle steamers. The main settlement on Cumbrae is the Victorian seaside town of Millport. Countless visitors take day trips from the mainland to “cycle roond Millport!” 

Field Studies Council

Field Studies Council Millport has a storied history as a marine research station. Now a thriving field centre, it offers accommodation and teaching spaces, making it an excellent base for environmental education and fieldwork. Visitors can head out on the research vessel Actinia to collect scientific samples or go wildlife watching, spotting dolphins, seals, and other marine life. The centre is part of Field Studies Council, a UK charity dedicated to delivering nature courses and environmental education across its 16 centres

Millport Golf Club

Millport Golf Club is a diverse golf course stretched across the heathland on the highest point of the Island. Founded in 1888, each hole of the club’s course has its own unique name - a nod to its long history. The course has views across the Firth of Clyde, down to Ailsa Craig and over to Bute and the looming skyline of Goatfell on Arran.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

Colonsay

Colonsay is an island in the Inner Hebrides located north of Islay and south of Mull. It is accessible by CalMac ferry from both Islay and Oban! Colonsay is connected to a smaller island, Oronsay, on its southern end by a tidal causeway and is a rugged island where the low-lying dune grassland known as Machair produces an array of native wildflowers such as heather and wild thyme and acts as a haven for birds and insects.

Colonsay Wool Growers

At the very top of Colonsay lies Balnahard Farm, the home of Colonsay Wool Growers. The farm has been in the same family for generations and currently boasts over 400 locally reared wool sheep of varying Hebridean cross-breeds. The sheared wool is dyed naturally with native flora such as bog myrtle, nettle and moss to produce yarns, knitting kits, and limited edition knitwear.

Colonsay Gin

Colonsay Gin began in 2016 when husband and wife duo Finlay and Eileen Geekie traded the busy life of Oxfordshire for a fresh start on Colonsay. Inspired by Celtic folklore and a love of true juniper gin, they launched Colonsay Gin. Today, their gin is a nod to the wild beauty of the island and the business contributes to the island’s sustainability and future development - drawing in visitors for tours and tasting.

Colonsay Black Bees

Colonsay and Oronsay have a long history of traditional honey use and bee-keeping. The continued practice of native bee-keeping in small isolated pockets helps to protect and sustain the dwindling Black Bee population under threat from imported non-native honey bees, and the changing climate. The other result of the practice happens to be fragrant honey that contains all the notes of the diverse island flora providing pollen for the bees.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. To find out more about Scotland’s west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode, visit the CalMac website.

In this special, festive edition of Scottish Island Adventures, Coinneach MacLeod - The Hebridean Baker - takes us on a magical winter journey across the isle of Arran, uncovering what makes the Scottish islands so magical when the summer season ends and the temperature drops. We start off our hygge journey at Stonesthrow Sauna where Coinneach goes from 100 degree heat to freezing water in the shadow of the Holy Isle, before stopping for lunch at Cafe Thyme, a legendary local eatery with a Turkish flair. From there he catches up with local crocheter Lou from Gleann Co. before stopping in for a wee dram to coorie in with Graham from Lagg Distillery.

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. You can find out more about Scotland's west coast destinations and all the topics discussed in this episode at calmac.co.uk/podcast

In this special episode of Scottish Island Adventures, Natalie Galloway - NATI - takes us to the Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) on Benbecula! She meets Christina from Croft & Cuan, the incomparable Ruairidh Gray, Arabella Manchester and her band, Cammy Barnes, the lovely folks from North Uist Distillery, Stevie Jukes from Saint Phnx, as well as loads of revellers and volunteers who are all set to enjoy a spectacular weekend in the Outer Hebrides. 

Then it's back to the studio where Nati and co-host Coinneach MacLeod - the Hebridean Baker - are joined by The Laurettes to talk about the magic of playing festivals on the Scottish islands!

Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. You can find out more about Scotland's west coast destinations and all the topics discussed in this episode at calmac.co.uk/podcast