Scotland, perhaps more than any other region of the UK, provides unparalleled chances to genuinely “escape from it all”. Boasting endless stretches of magnificent terrain dotted with just a handful of small communities, the Highlands and islands serve as perfect retreats from contemporary life’s pressures, allowing visitors to completely relax.
If this sounds like paradise, one particular destination might tick all your boxes. Spanning merely 25 hectares, Easdale in Argyll and Bute ranks among the nation’s tiniest inhabited islands. Situated within the Slate Islands of the Inner Hebrides, approximately 17 miles south-west of Oban, Easdale houses fewer than 60 residents and can be explored on foot in less than an hour – which is the sole method of getting around since no roads exist.
The crossing from Ellenabeich village on the neighbouring Seil island takes a mere five minutes by boat, with Seil linked to the mainland via the renowned Bridge Over The Atlantic.
The island’s unique character has enchanted tourists, with one visitor remarking it “doesn’t seem real”. Travel blog The Chaotic Scot describes Easdale as “as cute and quirky as they come”.
Easdale and surrounding islands once formed the hub of Scotland’s slate mining industry, explaining the archipelago’s name, and one abandoned quarry now serves as a natural swimming pool. Without motor vehicles, residents transport items using vibrant wheelbarrows between the charming whitewashed homes, penned the Scottish Daily Express.
Despite the absence of a shop, there’s still a pub to be found. The Puffer Bar and Restaurant has earned glowing testimonials on TripAdvisor, with one visitor describing it as a “wee gem”.
Although the island’s peak reaches merely 38 metres, the panoramic vistas stretching across the Firth of Lorn and further afield are truly magnificent.
The community hall regularly hosts musical acts, whilst Easdale plays host to the World Stone Skimming championship each September.
Tourists can also explore the Easdale Folk Museum. Regardless of its remote setting, Easdale remains easily accessible, requiring under three hours by car from Glasgow.