Tiree

The flattest of the Hebrides catches more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Scotland — an improbable fact for an island that faces directly into the Atlantic. Tiree's beaches are made of machined shell-sand so fine it glows white against turquoise shallows, and the wind that drives the surf also drives the windsurfers who cross Europe to ride it.

Tiree is one of the Inner Hebrides, connected to the mainland by CalMac ferry from Oban. The island's low profile — its highest point is just 141 metres — gives it an exposure to Atlantic weather that translates into surf breaks of genuine quality. The Tiree Wave Classic, held annually since 1986, is one of the longest-running windsurfing competitions on Earth. Reef points around the island produce waves that draw surfers from across Europe, while the white-sand beaches on the sheltered eastern coast provide calm water for families. The island's Gaelic-speaking community maintains a traditional crofting culture that gives Tiree a social texture distinct from its neighbours.