Scotland has hundreds of islands - ranging from the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna to the most northerly part of the country - the Shetlands.

To really appreciate them all would mean several trips and for many tourists it's a case of concentrating on the ones they really want to see and leaving the rest for another journey. 

Whichever area you choose: romantic Skye, remote Shetland or the rich Gaelic culture of the Western Isles, one thing is guaranteed - stunning scenery and unspoilt landscapes, a million miles away from urban life.

Orkney and Shetland are a world apart and there's much to learn about the  their Norse links and the ancient settlements who have left their marks.

There's everything from distilleries to secluded beaches and huge amounts of bird and sealife. 

Island life is a simpler, slower way of living but one which many people fall in love with.