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For a quick fix of vitamin D, you might be tempted to jet off to a sunny European city or a remote tropical coast. But we’ve got a sun-soaked paradise right here in the UK.
The Isle of Tiree, in Scotland, has some of the highest levels of sunshine recorded anywhere in the British Isles, plus white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.
Often nicknamed the ‘Hawaii of the North’, in May alone it averages over 240 hours of sunlight — nearly 50 hours more than the London average of 193.
Tiree, the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides, benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream, a warm Atlantic current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico (if we can still call it that, Mr Trump).
This means that in summer, the weather is usually warm and pleasant. Only 650 people live on the island, but around 30,000 people visit each year to enjoy its stunning scenery and balmy climate.
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Tiree even made The Sunday Times’ list of best places to live in Scotland in 2025. Reviewers said the island has a ‘close-knit creative community’ and ‘some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets every day of the year’.
What to do and see in Tiree
Though remote and relatively small, there’s still plenty to enjoy on the Isle of Tiree.
Belephuil Bay, a mile-long stretch of sand, is one of the island’s ‘most beautiful beaches’. A hidden gem with just 15 reviews on Tripadvisor, those lucky enough to have seen it say the views are truly spectacular.
Another impressive spot is Balevullin Beach, which has ‘dazzling white sand’, according to tourists.
Visit Scotland describes Tiree as a ‘mecca for windsurfers’, especially in October when the island hosts the Tiree Wave Classic, the longest-standing windsurfing event in the UK calendar.
Beyond windsurf, Tiree is known as a premier watersports destination. Local businesses such as Wild Diamond Tiree offer a range of equipment to hire, including paddleboards, surfboards and kayaks. Coaching is available for all levels, including beginners.
If food is more your thing, world-class seafood abounds. It is an island, after all.
The Tiree Crab Company, a family-run business, sells locally caught lobster and crab, with a selection of fresh sandwiches made daily.
How to get to the Isle of Tiree
There are many different ways to reach the island, and each is an adventure in itself.
The island has an airport with several flights landing each day from Glasgow and Oban, a resort town on the Scottish west coast.
Flights are available with Hebridean Air Service, with prices starting from £60 one-way in May. Tickets from Glasgow are about the same and both services take just under one hour.
Alternatively, there are regular ferries. Passengers can travel from Oban to Tiree on the CallMac Ferry.
The crossing time takes around four hours, and booking in advance is advised.
When is the best time to visit Tiree?
Tiree is one of the sunniest places in the UK.
With the influence of the Gulf Stream, winter temperatures are generally higher than on the mainland, while summer evenings are warm.
If you’re hoping to soak up long hours of sunshine, visit Tiree between May and August.
These months see the most sunshine and the least rain; May is generally regarded as the best. Visit Scotland notes that ‘midges are almost non-existent’ there in summer.
However if you’re willing to wrap up (and really, there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes), winter is also a great time to visit — especially for surfers.
The surf season usually lasts from October to March, with January being an ‘exceptional’ time to surf.
The island is windier than usual in winter, though, so if you want to avoid strong gusts, avoid December and January.
The 'English Mediterranean' overlooked by tourists
You don’t associate azure waters, golden sands, and subtropical microclimates with the UK. Nor do you think of tuning into French radio or spotting dolphins frolicking off the coast.
But for the 140,000 residents on the Isle of Wight, a unique diamond-shaped island 12 miles off the coast of Portsmouth, this is reality. It’s also the tiny patch of paradise I’ve called home for the last four years.
In 2024, the island was named the sunniest place in the UK, receiving more sun than Italy during winter.
But it’s summer when this 147sqm stretch of land comes to life. Alongside rugged coastal paths, chalky cliff tops and shimmering bays, there’s also a thriving creative community dedicated to putting this special place on the map.
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