Top 20 of 2025

1. Outdoor Activities

Scotland is the perfect playground for all manner of outdoor activities. If you can do it in the great outdoors then we’ll have you covered. Why not explore the enchanting coast of Barra by Kayak? Giving you a close-up view of its stunning beaches, rugged caves and bountiful wildlife. Previous visitors have enjoyed close encounters of the Seal kind – a perfect way to make friends, furry or otherwise, while drinking in some of the country’s most breath-taking scenery.

3. Family fun

We know how hard it is to keep the whole family entertained but if anywhere can do it, the Scottish islands can. Whether you want an all-action adventure holiday on Skye or a chilled-out family relaxation session on Eigg, we can take you there. Ditch the gadgets and take the family out to meet the real Scotland, together.

5. Fèis Ìle: 23 May - 31 May 2025

A féis (pronounced faysh) is a community-based festival - and as the name suggests Fèis Ìle or the Islay Festival is a ten-day celebration of everything that makes the isle of Islay so special. The special event attracts whisky enthusiasts and general fans of the island from all over the world.

6. Scottish Island Adventure Podcast - Series 2

While every island in Scotland's west coast is breathtakingly beautiful, each have their own unique character and charm. If you're undecided on which islands to add to your 2025 travel plans, our Scottish Island Adventures podcast is the perfect place to start for inspiration.

Season 2 of our podcast launches on 23 January, and hosts Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker, and Scottish singer/songwriter Nati Galloway will set sail on a captivating journey across the islands. We'll hear from island businesses, communities, and special guests as they uncover what makes the islands so special. 

Listen now

7. Cycling

We are blessed with an abundance of iconic cycle routes in Scotland, but one has lodged itself in the imagination of every two-wheeled enthusiast – the five ferries. The 52-mile route can be completed in a day or taken at a more leisurely pace, and yes, it features five CalMac ferry journeys as part of the endeavour. A beautiful, if slightly strenuous way, to see Arran, Kintyre, Cowal and Bute.

8. HebCelt - Fèis Cheilteach Innse Gall 16 - 19 July 2025

HebCelt - Fèis Cheilteach Innse Gall - the Hebridean Celtic Festival has been a favourite fixture for over twenty years. Taking place in Lewis each July, the internationally renowned festival attracts visitors from all over the world, yet keeps a lovely community feel, through a programme of events which shine a light on Gaelic and traditional music. The stellar line up includes the genre-bending Tidelines, Eddi Reader and our Scottish Island Adventure podcast co-host, Nati. 

9. Travelling with dogs

If you don’t want to leave your furry friend at home while you go off adventuring, then there are plenty of pet-friendly destinations to check out. Why not take your faithful companion to Bute where they can enjoy a walk along the pristine beaches before settling in for a cosy pint (and bowl of water) at any number of dog-friendly pubs. Remember that our larger vessels have their own pet lounge where your pooch can make some new friends while we get you to your destination.

Read the following information if you are travelling with pets 

10. Onboard food and beverage

So, you’re going on an adventure and looking to tempt your tastebuds as well as treat your eyes to the magical landscape of the West Coast. Why wait until you get to your destination to enjoy the first great meal of your trip? Our onboard menu features freshly prepared meals throughout the day including classics like the fish and chips, Chicken Tikka Masala and the vegan plant-based burger. If you’re starting early then you can take advantage of our traditional breakfast menu too.

11. Island Hopping

One of the great pleasures in visiting the islands with CalMac is the flexibility our timetable affords your trip. Our service is structured to facilitate great island-hopping itineraries – allowing you to get the most value from your holiday. Why not make the journey from Barra to Lewis, hopping between the Hebrides and taking in the beautiful sights in between? Or discover the enchanting Kintyre peninsula after a trip around the magical Isle of Arran? Thanks to CalMac your trip isn’t contained to one destination, your first stop is only a starting point.

12. Digital Detox

As the pace of life picks up again we often find ourselves living in a whirlwind of work and responsibilities, wondering where our time went. This year let the phone ring, ignore the emails and let CalMac whisk you away on a much-needed digital detox. Take some time to yourself in nature, perhaps exploring the beautiful secluded island of Colonsay or head for a spa on Arran, treating yourself to a day of pampering far away from the daily expectations of ‘real’ life.

13. Whisky

Scotland is famous worldwide for our great national export, the single-malt whisky. Renowned for its variety and clarity of flavour, we are lucky enough to include some of the world’s most famous distilleries in our network. For the full whisky experience take a trip to Islay, the spiritual home of Whisky making, featuring no fewer than nine distilleries and some of the biggest names in the industry.

14. Gaelic Culture and The Royal National Mòd 2025

The resurgence of the Gaelic language has seen an explosion in interest in Gaelic culture in general. There are many places on the CalMac network to visit in order to understand more about the language, culture and people who make up Scotland’s vibrant, and growing, Gaelic community. Take a trip to the Isle of Canna to explore Canna House and its incredible archive of books, documents and photographs preserving the history of Hebridean Gaelic culture for future generations to discover.

This year, Scotland’s celebration of Gaelic culture and music, The Royal National Mòd, takes place in Lochaber. Enjoy a packed list of events throughout the week of 10-18 October.

15. Nature

Scotland’s natural beauty never fails to elicit wonder. Blessed with a bounty of stunning vistas, enchanting woodlands and close-up wildlife encounters – we are one of the world’s top destinations for getting back to nature. For the full rugged experience why not take a journey to Jura where you can witness one of Scotland’s rawest natural phenomenon: the red deer rut.

16. Hillwalking

Whether you want to bag a multitude of munros or take a leisurely hike to a scenic viewpoint, there is plenty of choice amongst Scotland’s West Coast and islands. A trip to Skye offers many opportunities to conquer some peaks and enjoy the hard-won views from the top. Start off with a walk up to the iconic Old Man of Storr to warm up before taking on the famous Cuillin mountain range – one of the most challenging in the UK.

17. Victorian Pleasure Palaces

Before the era of mass air travel, the Victorians created a network of resorts a little closer to home. Frequented by travellers of all classes, these destinations became the place to be seen during the summer months, with the architecture to befit their grand usage. Thankfully these resorts have evolved into fantastic towns of the modern era while still retaining the splendour that drew crowds all those years ago. CalMac sails to the likes of Rothsay on Bute, Cumbrae (and its famous seaside town of Millport), Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula and the charming village of Kilcreggan – all destinations preferred by the Victorian industrialists of their time.

18. Tiree Wave Classic

Founded in 1985, the Tiree Wave Classic is the longest running professional windsurfing event in the world showcasing the best of the UK’s windsurfing talent.

For spectators, dive into windsurfing culture for the week – try out surfing, windsurfing and paddle boarding during the day – then multiple events and social gatherings at night.

Tiree itself is also a wonderful destination to visit! Known as the Hawaii of the North it is perfect for an island escape and a place to soak up beach vibes. 

19. Beaches

In Spring it’s all about the crisp light. In summer, the sun and the sea. Autumn is home of the invigorating wind and winter is for long walks. Scotland’s beaches are our multipurpose playground – free, accessible and ready for any conditions. For 20 miles of uninterrupted beaches, travel to South Uist’s West Coast where you’ll find a constantly evolving landscape along its coastline.

20. Travelling with CalMac

And of course, we couldn’t leave out the whole experience of travelling with CalMac. There’s nothing like traversing the sparkling waters of the West Coast en route to another magical destination, sun in the sky and wind in your hair. Our friendly and knowledgable staff are on hand to deal with any issues that may arise but also just to have a chat about the vessel, the route – or our specialist subject – the islands themselves. Travelling with CalMac is a journey all of its own.