Tiree: Attractions, activities, best time to visit
It is considered the sunniest place in Scotland and the Hawaii of the north: the small island of Tiree. The most westerly of the Inner Hebrides attracts visitors with its mild weather and wonderful beaches. Active travellers and connoisseurs alike will get their money’s worth on Tiree.
Content: Sights | Activities | Best time to visit | Getting there & travelling | Festivals | Food & drink | Nature
Tiree is largely made up of beaches and the fertile but fragile machair. Visitors can marvel at a sea of flowers here in summer, where rare birds can be heard and seen. Sports enthusiasts, however, tend to visit Tiree for the favourable winds and waves. The island is considered a top destination for windsurfers and is therefore also known as the “Hawaii of the North”.
Tiree also offers several tours for hikers, which also lead to places steeped in history. And the famous Skerryvore lighthouse off the coast of the island shows just how much people used to wrestle with the sea here.
There is no shortage of flavours on Tiree either: chocolate, beer, gin and soon also whisky enrich the culinary offerings of the island’s restaurants.
Isle of Tiree in a nutshell
| Name: | Isle of Tiree, Tiriodh |
| Special features: | relatively flat island, large areas of machair, wonderful beaches |
| Activities: | Water sports (surfing, but also stand-up paddling, kayaking, etc.), hiking, birdwatching, enjoyment |
| Languages: | English, Gaelic |
Typical for Tiree
Beaches
There are twelve large beaches and many small sandy bays on Tiree, which are ideal for walks and water sports.
Whitehouses
The traditional white houses on Tiree are thatched and have a protruding, thick wall.
Birds
There are plenty of lapwings on Tiree, which are otherwise rather rare. The corncrake also lives here.
Machair
Tiree consists largely of thin, fertile soil on sand, which becomes a sea of flowers in summer.
Attractions and activities on Tiree
Historic Hynish
An entire village and harbour built for the famous Skerryvore lighthouse. Exciting story(s).
Ringing Stone and Dùn Mòr Bhalla
A hike along the coast to an Iron Age fortress and a special rock: the Ringing Stone – which actually sounds.
An Iodhlann Historical Centre
Although it is only open a few hours a week, the centre gives visitors a good insight into life on Tiree in the past.
Old Mill near Cornaig
The romantically situated ruins of a mill with a beautiful wooden water wheel and a pond in front of it.
Ruins of Kirkapol
Surrounded by graves, the two ruins of 14th century chapels stand behind Tiree Lodge on Traigh Mòr beach.
Hough Stonecirlce
Two stone circles and a cairn were found in the field near Hough. Some of the stones are still standing and can be visited.
Isle of Tiree Distillery
Gin is currently distilled here in various flavours, but whisky will soon be added. You can drink cocktails here and even distil your own gin on a course.
Balemartin Graveyard
The highlight here is the MacLeans Cross, an ancient gravestone. However, it is already very overgrown with lichen. However, an information board shows what it looks like underneath.
Chocolates & Charms
Chocolate is just one part of this fascinating little shop. There is jewellery, gifts and lots of other little things.
Activities on Tiree
Tiree can really be enjoyed by people who love the sea. Whether it’s looking for beach glass on Sorobaidh beach or surfing in Gott Bay. Tiree has something for every type of water sport – kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling (sup). There are two centres on the island for this: Wild Diamond and Blackhouse Watersports. Both hire out equipment and offer courses.
The excursions organised by Tiree Sea Tours take you out to sea, even without sporting ambitions. A standard tour takes you along the coast of Tiree up to the tip of neighbouring Coll. Bottlenose dolphins, dolphins, seals and often minke whales can be observed. A special trip leads out to the Skerryvore lighthouse. This stone giant stands on just one small rock.
Tiree Sea Tours can be booked via the website or directly on site in the small shop at the airport.
If you like things more down-to-earth, put on your hiking boots and explore the island on foot. The 7.5 kilometre hike to the Ringing Stone, which also explores two brochs, is famous. If it is dry, it can even be extended to a circular tour of around 10 kilometres.
Tiree also has a distillery, the Isle of Tiree Distillery. It currently produces several types of gin, but is also planning to release its first whisky soon. The small shop also has a bar serving food and cocktails. Tasting sips of the gin are available free of charge.
On some days, the owners also take visitors into the distillery and explain the distilling process. From time to time, it is also possible to attend courses where participants can distil gin themselves.
Best time to visit Tiree
Tiree competes with Dundee for the most hours of sunshine in Scotland. This is also due to the fact that Tiree’s highest “mountain”, Ben Hynish, is just 141 metres high and, unlike islands such as the Isle of Skye, it hardly ever catches any clouds.
The months of May and June see the most sunshine and the least rain. After that it gets a little worse in July and August. But even that is much better than other islands. The infamous biting flies or midges are generally a minor problem on Tiree.
Weather and climate on Tiree
| Month | Temperature | Sunshine hours | Precipitation | Days with precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | 37 | 137 | 21 |
| Feb | 8 | 72 | 112 | 17 |
| Mar | 9 | 122 | 93 | 17 |
| Apr | 11 | 187 | 72 | 12 |
| May | 13 | 240 | 66 | 13 |
| Jun | 15 | 205 | 68 | 12 |
| Jul | 16 | 183 | 88 | 14 |
| Aug | 17 | 171 | 103 | 15 |
| Sep | 15 | 132 | 104 | 15 |
| Oct | 13 | 91 | 144 | 19 |
| Nov | 10 | 49 | 140 | 21 |
| Dec | 9 | 35 | 147 | 21 |
Conclusion: May is an excellent month for travelling to Tiree. But compared to Edinburgh or Glasgow, for example, the weather is also very good in the remaining summer months. Although there is more rainfall in August, there is also more sunshine – in short: changeable island weather. Winter can be attractive, but it is also a very quiet time on Tiree.
Please note: The renowned Tiree Music Festival always takes place on the island in mid-July. The island’s population triples during this time – there are usually more than 2,000 listeners. This should always be factored into your planning.
How to get there: How do I get to Tiree?
Caledonian MacBrayne car ferries serve the route from Oban to Tiree via the Isle of Coll.
| from | to | Duration | Cost one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oban | Coll & Tiree | 3:50 h | Pers. approx. £11, car approx. £56 |
Faster than the ferry is the aeroplane. There are two airlines that fly to Tiree: Loganair departs from Glasgow and takes you to the island in an hour.
On most days there is a flight in the morning or at midday and on others at midnight. The planes also fly straight back.
| from | to | Duration | Cost one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oban | Tiree | 1 h | approx. £90 with 15kg, approx. £110 with 23kg and flex, approx. £150 with 30kg luggage and flex |
Hebridean Air Services fly to Tiree on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and afternoons from Oban.
Travelling to Tiree
By car: Tiree has well-developed roads, in the hinterland often only as singletrack roads with passing bays. However, they are always large enough and safe. Visitors usually take the car ferry from Calmac. However, those arriving by plane can also hire a car on Tiree itself from Toraz directly at the airport.
By bike: The size of Tiree should not be underestimated, even if it seems small. However, as it is flat, it is also suitable for cycling. There is a hire shop in Sandaig that rents out everything from mountain bikes to e-bikes.
Public transport: Unfortunately, Tiree doesn’t offer much here. There are no public buses or taxis.
Food & drink on Tiree
Tiree’s gastronomic scene is quite lively for such a small island. The same rule applies here as it does almost everywhere else in Scotland: you should call ahead and try to make a reservation for dinner.
Ceabhar Restaurant
In the west of Tiree, the restaurant serves lamb, beef, fish and vegetarian dishes from Wednesday to Saturday. The beer from Bun Dubh Crafty Enviropunk Brewing.
Info on Facebook.
Alan Stevenson House
Located directly on the harbour basin of Hynish, the Alan Stevenson House serves Scottish fare: seafood, meat and vegetables in various delicious variations.
Info on Facebook.
Yellow Hare
A café serving pancakes, coffee and cakes, bagels, ice cream, cocktails and more. The Yellow Hare is located at the Scarinish ferry terminal. Open daily except Tuesdays.
Info on the website.
Other restaurants:
Festivals on Tiree
Feis Thiriodh
This small festival aims to support the culture and Gaelic language of Tiree. At the beginning of July, pub sessions and dance events bring together not only residents of the island.
Info: www.facebook.com/FeisThiriodh
Tiree Music Festival (TMF)
The Tiree Music Festival has been taking place in mid-July since 2010 and has grown from a few hundred participants to 2,100 – the organisers do not sell more tickets. The festival lasts three days and is right next to the beautiful beaches. There is folk music on stage, and not just from Scotland. In addition to music, there are other activities such as beach yoga and gin tastings.
Info: tireemusicfestival.co.uk
Tiree Annual Regatta
One day at the end of July – weather permitting – the Tiree Annual Regatta takes place. The islanders compete for victory in traditional boats. The whole thing can be watched from the coast.Info: https://www.tireemaritimetrust.org.uk
Tiree Wave Classic
One week in mid-October belongs to the windsurfers. Since 1986, amateurs and professionals have been competing against each other at the Tiree Wave Classics and showing what spectacular stunts are possible.
Info: www.tireewaveclassic.co.uk
Nature on Tiree
What really impresses in summer on Tiree is the machair. It covers large parts of the south of the island with a uniquely beautiful carpet of flowers. And this in turn provides a good ecosystem for birds. It’s amazing how many lapwings can be seen here.
Seals, dolphins and minke whales frolic in the seawater along the coast.
Here is an overview and picture of the most interesting animals and plants on and around Tiree:
Animals on land and at sea
Porpoise & dolphins
On the coasts of near the harbours
Seal (Seal)
To be seen on the coast or near the neighbouring island of Coll
Dutch Spotted Sheep
On display at the Crossapool farm
Goat
Mainly found in the north near Dùn Mòr Bhalla
Plant world
Beach carnation
On the beaches, these flowers thrive on rocks
Orchid
Found in the slightly more boggy soil in the north
Thistle
Also more likely to be found in the north
Birdlife
Lapwing
Mostly found in the Machair, for example on Berneray
Arctic Tern
Frequently observed at sea.
Cormoran (Shag)
They can often be seen flying busily over the water
Who writes here?
Stephan Goldmann
I am the owner of MyHighlands.co.uk and have been travelling to Scotland since 1990. I have also been learning Gaelic for several years.
I was immediately enchanted by the island of Tiree. It has a pleasant size, a wonderful love affair with the sea and in summer it is covered in flowers.