5 Scottish Islands you MUST Stand Up Paddle

It needs to be said – Scotland has some absolutely stunning beaches! If long stretches of white sand and crystal clear waters on largely secluded coastlines is your thing, you need to visit Scotland. In the time that we have lived in Scotland we have made it our mission to travel far and wide and explore as much of this beautiful wee country that we can. That exploration has taken us to many of the hundreds of islands which dot the coast. In todays post we talk about 5 Scottish Islands you MUST Stand Up Paddle.

Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull is the closest of our selection of Scottish Islands you MUST Stand Up Paddle to Scotlands cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Island can be reached by ferry from Oban on the west coast. Steeped in history with the island of Iona on which sits Iona Abby on the far west coast, Mull has lots to explore. For more information on Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Isle of Mull see our post on Calgary Bay and Slugan Dubh

Isle of Lewis

The furtherest north of the Outer Hebredies Lewis is reached by ferry from Ullapool on the west coast. Being the largest island (it is attached to the Isle of Harris) there are many beaches on offer. An adventurous spirit is an asset as you explore down narrow winding roads which reward you with stunning white beaches at the end. For more information see our post on Bostadh Beach here.

Isle of Barra

Barra is the southern most main island in the Outer Hebrides and here we discovered an absolute gem of a campsite on the edge of a huge shallow sandy bay. Our paddle session was joined by a curious seal – a first for us! Apart from the seal we had the whole bay to ourselves. For more information on Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Isle of Barra see our post.

Isle of Harris

Joined to the Isle of Lewis, Harris is famous for Luskentyre Beach which has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! This is a huge beach and is in a relatively sheltered bay and surrounded by islands.  Isle of Harris Gin is pretty great too!!  For more information on Stand Up Paddleboarding on the Isle of Harris at Luskentyre Beach see our post.

Orkney Mainland

Orkney Mainland has so much to offer. With it’s viking heritage and ancient stone monuments there is so much to explore. Here we discovered huge white sandy bays overlooked by the ruins of an iron age Broch – a drystone hollow-walled structure found only in Scotland. For more information on Stand Up Paddleboarding on Orkney see our post here.

Have you been Stand Up Paddleboarding to any of Scotlands beautiful islands? Which ones are your favourites? Share in the comments below.