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The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. It is relatively small - about twelve miles long and three miles wide - and very flat. Although the name means 'the land of corn' it has been described variously as 'a raised beach' and 'the land below the waves'. The island has a benign climate with some of the highest levels of sunshine recorded anywhere in the British Isles. It benefits from the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream ensuring that frost in the winter is rare and evenings in mid-summer are warm and balmy. Tiree is exposed to the Atlantic - and has the reputation of often being extremely windy. Prolonged spells of strong winds are unusual between May and August and the strongest winds normally occur in December and January. In 1883, George, eighth Duke of Argyll wrote that the climate was "far better than that of the mainland. There is much less rain, the rainfall scarcely exceeding the average of from 35 to 40 inches. I fully expect that 'far on in summers I shall not see' the island of Tiree will be a great resort of health. Its strong yet soft sea-air - its comparative dryness - its fragrant turf, full of wild thyme and clover - its miles of pure white sandy bays, equally pleasant for riding, driving, or walking, or for sea-bathing - and last, not least, its unrivalled expanses for the game of golf - all combine to render it most attractive and wholesome in the summer months. My own tastes would lead me to add as a special recommendation its wealth of sky ringing with the song of skylarks, which are extraordinarily abundant." Since that time the island has lost none of its charms.
Recently the island was described by Helen Story in her article ETHICA as 'an enchanted island ... we are dreaming away the golden days where there are neither hills nor trees nor anything sensational to catch the eye. The sea rolls on in miles and miles of sandy bays with opalescent reflections in its pools and shallows. The sky stretches from horizon to horizon, with an ever changing panorama of clouds, great banks of heavy cumulus, long, bright rows of sun-kissed cirrus, mares' tails frisking before the wind, little dappled clouds all over with the blue peeping through. And when the sun drops towards the west a gorgeous transformation scene takes place, with a light that never was on sea or land. The sky changes to orange, gold, rose, the clouds above are crimson in the setting sun, while to the east the hills of Mull stand out amethyst against a background of pale primrose, their hollows just touched with the gleam of gold. Rhum and Skye seem towering to heaven, and in the far south Jura, and in the far north Uist, lie soft like pale blue pearls.'
There is a regular air service operated by British Airways/Loganair from Glasgow to the island throughout the year and Caledonian MacBrayne run a ferry service from Oban. You are guaranteed a warm welcome once you arrive on the island and there is a wide variety of very comfortable accommodation available to the visitor.
Tiree Community Website www.isleoftiree.com/ Tiree Trust www.tireetrust.org.uk/ Dorinda Johnson www.dorindajohnson.co.uk/ Skipinnish Sea Tours www.skipinnish-sea-tours.co.uk Wild Diamond www.surfschoolscotland.co.uk/ Chocolate and Charms www.chocolatesandcharms.co.uk/ Beachcomber www.beachcombertiree.co.uk
Tiree Airport www.hial.co.uk/ ACCOMMODATION MAINLAND ACCOMMODATION Ewich House / Crainlarich www.ewich.co.uk/ Braeside Guest House / Kilmore / Oban www.braeside.net/ Thornloe Guest House / Oban www.thornloeoban.co.uk
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