Your browser is no longer supported. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

14 May 2023

The Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides is famed for having the highest amount of sunshine hours in the whole of the UK. It’s also very windy, earning its reputation as a haven for surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Among its 36 miles of coastline are some of the best beaches in the country and so on this short trip I know I am in for a treat. I have just over 24 hours on the island, and at least 15 beaches to visit so to make the most of the walking time on each beach I decide to work my way around the coast clockwise starting in the north east corner of the island. My first impression upon landing at tiny Tiree airport is how flat and green it is. And no trees! There are however, hundreds of sheep and lambs. It’s like landing on a mini-planet, but a beautiful and welcoming one all the same. From the airport, I collect my hire car and drive straight to Vaul Bay (Traigh Bhalla), just past the Tiree Golf Club. This is beach number one, and a lovely place to start. The low-lying nature of this arc-shaped bay (like some others on the island) mean the beach is often covered in washed up seaweed but it’s big enough to offer acres of pristine white sand too. This is a very nice place to begin the tour!