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The Inner Hebrides, off the western coast of Scotland, are the country's most accessible and bewitching islands.

Jura lies near the coast of Strathclyde, yet it is magnificently wild and lonely, with desolate walks, breast-shaped mountains (the Paps of Jura), a whisky distillery and a lethal offshore whirlpool its prime attractions. Islay is the most southerly of the Inner Hebridean islands, and is best known for its smoky, single-malt whisky. The Museum of Islay Life in Port Charlotte relates the island's long history, while the 8th-century Kildaton Cross is one of the finest surviving Celtic crosses. Castle ruins and over 250 species of birds add to its attractions.

Further north, Taransay, where BBC TV marooned a community of volunteers for all of 2000, is one of the Inner Hebrides' most remote islands, an unspoilt place of cliffs, rocky coastlines and sandy bays. Grey seals and wild goats are the most commonly glimpsed inhabitants. Mull is one of the most popular islands, with superb mountain scenery, castles, a railway and small-town charm. The island's capital, Tobermory, is a particularly picturesque fishing port. The spiritual retreat of Iona, an early Christian centre founded by St Columba, lies off the southwestern tip of Mull. Further north, Coll has a popular walking trail, good sunshine, lots of wind, few people, two castles and a bird sanctuary. Tiree, just southwest, is a low-lying island with beautiful, sandy beaches and one of the best sunshine records in Britain.

Skye attracts lots of visitors and has very changeable weather. However, the large, rugged and convoluted island is ringed by spectacularly scenic coastal walks, and inland the rocky Cuillins attract serious climbers.

The Highland resort town of Aviemore is the stepping-off point for the hiking and skiing paradise of the Cairngorm Mountains. Lying on the only arctic plateau in Britain, the area attracts rare animals such as pine marten, wildcat, red squirrel, osprey (particularly around the Boat of Garten) and deer. Fishing for salmon is popular in the pure mountain water of the River Spey and surrounding lochs, while the Rothiemurchus Estate and Glenmore Forest Park preserve acres of pine and spruce, with guided walks and trails and a range of water sports.

Just 6 miles (10km) off the north coast of Scotland, these magical islands are known for their dramatic coastal scenery, abundant marine bird life and Europe's greatest concentration of prehistoric sites. Twenty of the 70 islands are inhabited, and the climate is surprisingly mild. Virtually treeless, the land is lush and cultivated rather than rugged. The Norse ruled here from the 9th to 13th centuries, and Scandinavian hints remain.

The largest island is known as Mainland, home to the islands' main town, Kirkwall, and major port, Stromness. Kirkwall features one of Scotland's finest medieval cathedrals, St Magnus', and also has an interesting distillery tour. The ferry port of Stromness is smaller, with a working fishing village atmosphere. Eight miles (13km) north, Skara Brae is northern Europe's best preserved prehistoric village. Hidden under the sand until 1850, even the stone furniture has survived the 5000 years since its occupancy. Nearby, the enigmatic Ring of Brodgar is a wide circle of standing stones, some over 16ft (4.8m) tall.

Across the Scapa Flow from Mainland is Hoy, with the Orkneys' highest mountains, spectacular cliff scenery, a bird sanctuary and the Old Man of Hoy - a 450ft (135m) high rock stack. The bird-filled scattering of northern islands in the Orkneys include Rousay, known as 'the Egypt of the North' because of its numerous archaeological sites. Peaceful, timeless Shapinsay has seal-clogged waters and friendly locals, making it a perfect place to elope to. The island of Stronsay attracts seals, migratory birds, and tourists who enjoy good coastal walks. Eday has numerous chambered cairns and an impressive group of standing stones, the Stone of Setter. Sandy Sanday has dazzling white sand, more Caribbean than British, and ancient chambered tombs. The largest of the northern islands is Westray, a varied place with prehistoric sites, sandy beaches, impressive cliff scenery, castle ruins and a bird sanctuary. Tiny Papa Westray has Europe's oldest domestic building, the 8th-century St Bonieface's Church and Europe's largest colony of arctic terns.