Balevulin Beach

Isle of Tiree

Scotland's Island Coast

Known as the ‘sunshine isle’, Tiree is home to some of the best beaches in Scotland. If you seek tranquillity, freedom of space, and clean, pure air, the Isle of Tiree has it all. Though only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, the sky and sea stretch from horizon to horizon.

With no woodland and only three sizeable hills on an otherwise flat landscape, there is nothing to obscure the view. There is a certain fascination for all visitors, young and old.

The beautiful beaches provide miles of potential sandcastles, gently sloping paddling pools, and windsurfing for the more adventurous.

Gaelic in Scotland

The indigenous language of Argyll is rich in expression. Here we have shared a phrase from local Gaelic poetry about the Isle of Tiree.

Aonghas MacEacharna

’S toigh leam fhéin an t-eilean grianach (I myself love the sunny island)

Càit air ’n ear no ’n iar a th’ aig bàrr air? (Where in east or west is its better?)

With thanks to partners CHARTS

Top reasons to visit

Ben Hynis

An Iodhlann

Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum

Balevullin Beach

The Ringing Stone

An Turas

Visit the Isle of Tiree

The Hawaii of the North

Despite being just 10 miles long and three wide, Tiree is packed with character and natural beauty.

Tiree’s beaches are legendary – miles of white sand and turquoise waters that rival the Caribbean on a sunny day. The great surfing conditions attract windsurfers, kitesurfers, and paddleboarders from around the world.

But don't worry if you'd rather stay on land! Tiree is also a haven for walkers and birdwatchers with diverse wildlife and an abundance of scenic trails.

Tiree's main village, Scarinish, is the heart of island life, with shops, a hotel, and the harbour where colourful fishing boats bob against the pier. Visit An Iodhlann (the Tiree Heritage Centre) to learn more about the island's fascinating history, or pop into the Skerryvore Lighthouse to learn more about how the heroic engineers and keepers built and maintained Scotland's tallest lighthouse.

Islands Breaks for Wellbeing Experiences

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Good to know!

Plan ahead to make the most of your visit.

Style: A haven for watersport enthusiasts, beach strollers and wildlife watchers. Casual, tranquil yet packed with character.
Ferry: The ferry runs daily from Oban, stopping over at the Isle of Coll on the way. The total journey time is approximately 4 hours.
Ferry Tickets: We advise purchasing your tickets in advance via the CalMac website.
Driving on Tiree: If you plan to drive on Tiree, please be considerate of farm entrances, single-track roads, and parking restrictions.
Motorhomes & Camping: Campers who are walking, cycling or kayaking are free to wild camp around the island. However, cars, vans, motorhomes or caravans are required to stay at an overnight pitch to protect Tiree's ecosystem. Advanced booking recommended.
Bike & Surf Hire: You can hire various types of equipment from Tiree Fitness Bike Hire, Blackhouse Watersports & Bike Hire and Wild Diamond Watersports.
Toilets: Public toilets are located next to the ferry slip in Scarinish.
Stay: Limited accommodation is available. We recommend booking in advance.

Explore Tiree

Discover places to stay, eat & drink and things to do on the isle of Tiree. Here are a range of businesses which serve Tiree or are based on Tiree.

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Things to Do on Tiree

From exploring the island’s beaches to taking a surf lesson or dancing at Tiree's iconic Music Festival, the island has plenty to offer for all types of travellers.

Watersports on Tiree

Tiree is world-renowned for its watersports, thanks to consistent Atlantic swells, shallow sandy bays, and a reputation as one of the sunniest, windiest places in the UK. Surfers flock to Balevullin and Balephuil beaches, where rolling waves provide the ideal playground for all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Windsurfers and kitesurfers are equally well catered for, with conditions that have earned Tiree the nickname “the Hawaii of the North.” The annual Tiree Wave Classic is the longest-running windsurfing competition in the world, attracting top athletes each October.

For those seeking gentler adventures, paddleboarding, kayaking, and wild swimming offer calmer ways to enjoy Tiree’s turquoise waters. Local instructors and hire shops make it easy for visitors to get out on the sea safely.

Go for a Wander

There are numerous great walks on Tiree, taking you to stunning beaches such as Balephui and Balevullin, as well as The Ringing Stone and Happy Valley. Each walk takes you through a range of different habitats from coastal strand to machair and sliabh. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife whilst walking – and always be mindful of traffic and changing path conditions.

Head on a Boat Tour

A fantastic way to explore Tiree's coastline and its rich marine wildlife is by taking a boat tour. Local operators run tours to neighbouring isles, including Staffa, famous for Fingal’s Cave, and the Treshnish Isles, home to thousands of nesting seabirds. During the summer months, puffins are a star attraction, often spotted up close on boat landings. Closer to home, you may encounter seals lounging on skerries, pods of dolphins playing in the surf, or even minke whales passing through.

Visit the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum

Ten miles off the coast of Tiree stands Skerryvore, Scotland’s tallest lighthouse. Visit the Skerryvore Museum at Hynish on the South of the island to learn more about its remarkable construction and the working life of those maintaining one of Britain's most dangerous lighthouses. Featuring detailed exhibitions and a chance to see the original accommodation offered to the lighthouse keepers, this is a fascinating glimpse into one of the most eccentric of occupations.

Experience Tiree Music Festival

Tiree Music Festival is more than a music festival. It is a true island adventure to one of the most stunning festival locations in the world. Think picture-perfect white sands. World-famous surf. Deserted roads lined with lush greenery and wild flowers. Not forgetting more sunshine than practically anywhere else in the UK. It’s little wonder that the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree is nicknamed the ‘Hawaii of the North’.

Tiree locals and musician with the band Skerryvore, Daniel Gillespie and fellow Tiree local Stewart MacLennan, created this world-class festival, which takes place each year. https://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/

Image Credit: Hynish Trust

Delve into Tiree's History

Tiree's Crofting Heritage

Tiree’s crofting heritage is central to its identity. The island’s fertile machair lands have long supported small-scale farming, with crofters working the land communally to grow crops and raise livestock. This traditional way of life has shaped Tiree’s distinctive patchwork landscape and continues to influence island culture today.

Thatched Houses

There are still some twelve traditional thatched buildings on Tiree, the highest concentration in Scotland. Their design and style of thatching is unique. With the distinctive ‘spotty’ two-storey stone houses, the beauty of Tiree's architecture is one of the features that strike the visitor.

Hynish Heritage Site

A highlight for visitors is the Hynish heritage site, once the shore station for the Skerryvore Lighthouse, Britain’s tallest lighthouse. Built by Alan Stevenson in the 1840s, the site housed workers who braved the Atlantic seas to maintain the light. Today, restored buildings tell the story of Skerryvore through fascinating exhibitions, while the surrounding architecture, designed by Thomas Telford, stands as a monument to Victorian engineering. Join a guided walking tour to learn more about this unique heritage site.

Stay & Eat on Tiree

Though small, Tiree offers a welcoming range of places to eat and stay. In Scarinish, enjoy a cup of coffee at Hebridean Roast or pop by Scarinish Beach Hotel for a delicious meal. Tiree prides itself on community spirit, and many eateries champion local produce. Enjoy island beef and lamb, and seafood caught in nearby waters.

The Isle of Tiree Distillery in Hynish is another excellent spot to visit, especially for all the gin-lovers out there! Afterwards, visit Alan Stephenson House for some lunch in the heart of the world-famous Hynish heritage site on the Isle of Tiree.

Accommodations on Tiree

Accommodation options are just as varied, from self-catering cottages and campsites to cosy B&Bs and guesthouses. For those who prefer more amenities, small hotels and stylish lodges combine service with spectacular views of the sea. Early booking is recommended as availability is limited, especially in the summer months.

How to get to Tiree

Planning Your Visit

By Ferry

The Isle of Tiree is best reached via the CalMac ferry from Oban. During the summer months, there is one sailing every day out of Oban to Tiree. The total sailing time is approx. 4 hours.

The journey from Oban is pretty spectacular, gliding down the Sound of Mull past Tobermory and then Ardnamurchan Point (the most westerly tip of the UK’s mainland) before the short crossing in more open sea to Tiree.

We recommend booking your ferry tickets well in advance as availability is limited. Also, confirm your sailing times ahead of your departure days as these can change due to weather conditions. You can bring your car and bike with you on the ferry. However, spaces are limited. Find out more here.

By Plane

Coll and Tiree can be reached by plane via Hebridean Air Services. This short flight from Oban is a special way to reach the island, although it is not a daily service. Pre-booking is essential. Find out more from Hebridean Air Services here.

Must Visit Places

ISLE OF COLL

Coll enjoys some of the highest sunshine hours in the UK per annum, so be sure to take a walk on the secluded beaches, marvel at the fantastic wildlife and enjoy a dram or two.

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COLL Credit Ewan Miles Nightscape Photography For Coll Dark Sky Group

OBAN, LORN & ISLES

The seaside town of Oban is a great place for a holiday with much to see and do in wider area and nearby Inner Hebridean islands.

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MV Finlaggan And MV Isle Of Mull In Oban Bay

INNER HEBRIDEAN ISLANDS

Argyll & the Isles is home to 23 inhabited islands, each combining stunning scenery and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Explore

Mathieuwillcocks Isleofcollphotographyworkshops 0001

Tiree Windsurfer – William’s Story

William sees the world differently – having grown up on a remote Scottish island, that’s no surprise. He listened to the call of the sea and now, settled with a family, he owns and operates his own windsurfing school on the Isle of Tiree. Hear from William about allure of the sand and the surf against the backdrop of this Hebridean island and how tutoring others in this thrilling sport means so much to him. Scotland. A spirit of its own.

All you need to know about visiting Tiree

6 reasons history buffs can’t miss out on a trip to Tiree

Tiree is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. But it’s packed with history too.

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