Scottish Island Bagging: The Walkhighlands Guide to the Islands of Scotland

by Helen Webster, Paul Webster

Scottish Island Bagging by Helen and Paul Webster, founders of Walkhighlands, is a guide to the magical islands of Scotland.

Focusing on the ninety-nine islands that have regular trips or means of access for visitors, plus fifty-five other islands which have no regular transport but are still of significant size or interest, the authors have described the best ways to experience each one. Of the islands featured, many are household names – Skye, Lewis, Bute – while some, such as the isolated St Kilda archipelago and the remote Sula Sgeir, will be unknown to all but a hardcore few.

When it comes to things to see and do, the islands of Scotland have it all. Wildlife enthusiasts can watch out for otters, orcas and basking sharks, while birdwatchers in particular are spoilt: look out for the rare corncrake on Islay, sea eagles on Mull, or sight puffins, gannets, storm petrels and many other seabirds on any number of islands – although beware the divebombing bonxies.

Foodies can sample Arran or Westray cheese, the many islands’ world-renowned seafood or learn about the whisky making process and sample a wee dram on a distillery tour.

While the human history may not stretch back in time as far as the geology of these ancient lands, it is rich and varied: visit the 5,000-year-old Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, or Mackinnon’s Cave on Mull, following in the footsteps of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. You can even stay in the house on Jura where George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Hillwalkers can bag a Munro, walk the wild clifftops or take in the sights, or you could just escape from it all on one of the dozens of beautiful and deserted beaches – before joining the locals for a ceilidh into the wee hours.

Well served by ferries and other transport links, getting around is easy. You could even take the world’s shortest scheduled flight. In Scottish Island Bagging, let Helen and Paul Webster be your guides to these enchanting isles.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Walking, Scotland

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2019

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent, comprehensive reference book with at least a blurb on every single island in Scotland - even if it's not one you're likely to bag.

It's neatly organized by region, and it would definitely be a better read when used as a reference book for when you're travelling to a particular area.

I'll be honest; reading it through all the way, like I did, was really fatiguing and made it all hard to keep track of, but I don't think that's the authors' fault; just a function of how many islands Scotland really has.

[Anne Macnamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to inspire your island based adventures. Love the mix of information, history, itinerary ideas and stunning photographs.
I would have liked the maps to include the places referred to in the text, as sometimes it was difficult to orientate from the descriptions. Minor niggle for an otherwise excellent book guide.

[FaithInTheFootnotes Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired me to begin my bagging adventures with my family… imagine this may become more than a hobby but a true passion

[Sarah Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to inspire people to explore the Scottish islands. It is full of great photos which capture the beauty of the islands very well and really interesting history about some of the islands. It is full of a wide variety of activities to undertake when visiting the islands which cover many different people's interests.

I have been to many of the islands in Scotland but the book has encouraged me to visit more and the ones I have already visited again, as they have hidden gems I didn't know about.

I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for inspiration to visit amazing places.