Scottish wild country backpacking

Alastair MacDonald Jackson spent two years visiting as many of Scotland’s west coast islands as possible. Here he showcases some of the greatest wonders of the west – and offers practical advice on how to see them

From gnarly ridge traverses to relaxing strolls along silvery beaches, these island hikes lend themselves to the long days of Summer

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Moments enjoyed, lessons learned, handy advice, weird stuff that happened: welcome to the little bits and pieces that don’t make big stories, but do make all the difference.

The islands off the west coast of Ireland are steeped in history and mystery, best explored on foot to experience their natural beauty and isolation