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UK’s sunniest place is island with white sand beaches and few tourists | Travel News | Travel

It is a fantastic place to visit for anyone wanting a quiet beach holiday (Image: Getty)

Most people in the UK are tired of the grey weather and are eager for winter to end so they can see blue skies again, but it turns out you do not need a passport to find a sunny destination to visit. Tiree is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, and its unique location means it enjoys more sunshine than anywhere else in Britain .The island is flat and does not have any large hills, instead has long stretches of white sandy beaches that go on for miles 

This beautiful island has all the charm of the Scottish Highlands with better weather, as it receives less rain than the mainland, and midges, a pest known for troubling summer visitors in Scotland, are also known not to be an issue. At Wild About Argyll they describe Tiree as a fantastic place to visit thanks to its “golden bays, surrounded by azure waters and bathed in glorious sunshine.”

Picture of Tiree island

Tiree is the sunniest place in the UK known for its ‘golden bays’ (Image: Getty)

Picture of a highland cow on Tiree

You will often spot cows grazing nearby if you visit the beach (Image: Getty)

They said: “Thanks to its location, Tiree has some of the highest levels of sunshine recorded anywhere in the British Isles. It also benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream, which warms the surrounding waters.”

What is there to do on Tiree?

Tiree has a series of beaches where you can sit and relax, but for anyone more adventurous, the island is also known for its waterspouts. 

You can book surfing and kitesurfing lessons at a local family-owned business or even hire wetsuits, kayaks or bikes for anyone looking to do some exploring. 

There are often cows grazing on the machair that grows near the beach which is a unique sight, but you will also lots of incredible wildlife if you book a boat trip. 

It is common to see dolphins, seals, basking sharks, puffins and the island is known for having the UK’s largest Corncrake population for anyone that enjoys birdwatching. 

Anyone feeling brave can also book a horse ride where you can gallop on the beach, and the local equestrian centre also offers horse yoga which would be a fun experience. 

Picture of a beach on Tiree island

Tiree is also known for its water spots and wildlife (Image: Getty)

Picture of the night sky on Tiree

It is worth going to the beach at night at the stars look incredible on Tiree (Image: Getty)

The main settlement on Tiree is Scarinish, a quiet village known for its whitewashed cottages and picturesque view of the Atlantic Ocean so you will make up to a breathtaking sights every morning. 

There is a whiskey distillery where you can take tours or even learn how to make your own, but the island is also famous for its Tyree gin with a tonic that is worth sampling. 

On Tiree, you can enjoy long days filled with sunshine but but the island remains enchanting at night as there no light pollution so the stars light up the sky. 

Visitors often camp on the beach to see the Milky Way, meteor showers and on rare occasions the northern lights. It is believed that the best time to visit Tiree is in early spring as it is when the skies are at their clearest for star gazing, but it will still look incredible in the summertime. 

However, if you do visit in the summer, then Tiree is also known for its music festival in July, that brings the whole community together where there will be live music, workshops and other family-friendly events to enjoy.  


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