A group of Scottish islands has been crowned among the top travel destinations in the world for 2025 by Vogue.
Now that the festive season is behind us and 2025 has properly started, Scots all over the country will be looking ahead to their first holiday of the new year. Whether you are planning a January staycation or waiting for the temperature to rise, there is no limit to the scenic destinations around the country you can head for a getaway.
Ahead of the start of 2025, British Vogue unveiled a list of the “10 Best Places To Travel” over the next 12 months. Among the destinations featured is the Inner Hebrides in Scotland.
An archipelago situated off the west coast of the mainland, the Inner Hebrides consists of 36 inhabited islands. The largest and most well-known are Skye, Mull, and Islay.
The Inner Hebrides were historically a strong Gaelic-speaking area, with the majority of the population being proficient in the language around 100 years ago. Its economy is centred around tourism, farming, fishing, and whisky.
Skye has long been one of Scotland’s most popular holiday destinations, famed for its dramatic landscapes, charming fishing villages, and historic castles. The island can be reached from the northwest coast of the mainland via bridge.
Among the most popular sights on Skye are the vivid aqua blue Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr mountain, and the historic Talisker Distillery. Meanwhile, its main settlement of Portree is renowned for its charming independent shops and acclaimed restaurants.
Elsewhere, Mull is popular amongst locals and tourists alike for its amazing scenery and wildlife. A top summer holiday destination, highlights include the 13th century Duart Castle and the Ben More Munro.
The largest settlement on Mull is Tobermory, which is famous for its colourful waterfront that was featured in the iconic CBeebies series Balamory. The town is home to a wide selection of shops and eateries, and is also known for its flourishing arts and craft scene.
Meanwhile, Islay has earned the nickname of Scotland’s ‘whisky island’. The southernmost of the Inner Hebrides, it features nine different distilleries that each produce their own unique malt whiskies.
Vogue wrote: “How do you know a place is about to be an ‘it’ destination? It has drawn the eye of LVMH.
“The luxury fashion and liquor conglomerate purchased a hotel on Islay, near its Ardbeg Scotch whisky distillery, and is in the process of transforming it into a moody seaside retreat. The 2025 property is designed by Russell Sage Studio – who also did The Fife Arms over in the Cairngorms – and includes guest rooms, a new restaurant, and a statement bar that will serve high-end whisky and then some.”
More information and the full list of the “10 Best Places To Travel” in 2025 can be found on the British Vogue website.
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