For as long as we've sailed these waters, Scotland’s west coast islands have stood as the backdrop to family stories, childhood summers, and first journeys we never forgot. Rediscover the Island Magic invites us to return to photographs tucked away in drawers, stories passed down, and journeys that have quietly stayed with us. Every island holds its own magic. Are you ready to rediscover yours?
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Watch Edward Fitzpatrick and his father Eddie, as they return to their former family home in Portnaguran on the Isle of Lewis. A story about connection, heritage and what draws people back to the islands over time.
Opens in new window Watch nowWith my sister in summer 1957. We went about two or three times a year to my Mum's friends house. Train from St. Enoch station and ferry from Wemyss Bay! Hot peas and ice cream in the Ritz cafe, learning to ride a bike and going to the kids dances in the Garrison. More ice cream in the Fintry bay cafe. Rock climbing and cycling past Lion Rock and getting many photos on Crocodile rock. An idyllic break from Glasgow.
With my sister in summer 1957. We went about two or three times a year to my Mum's friends house. Train from St. Enoch station and ferry from Wemyss Bay! Hot peas and ice cream in the Ritz cafe, learning to ride a bike and going to the kids dances in the Garrison. More ice cream in the Fintry bay cafe. Rock climbing and cycling past Lion Rock and getting many photos on Crocodile rock. An idyllic break from Glasgow.
My parents first took our family to Iona in 1975 on a day trip from Fidden Farm camp site to escapes the midges. From then on, for 50 years we have been visiting Iona with various groups of family members from grandparents, parents, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. Last year, 2025, my sisters and I took my parents to stay in the Argyll Hotel to celebrate 65 years of marriage and 50 years of visiting the island.
We have had memorable stays at Griannan, Cnoc Oran and Lagandorain in both the cottage and hostel.
It has become a sanctuary that we keep returning to and holds so many of our
family memories and traditions.
From crawling on our hands and knees at Port Ban looking for cowries, scouring the pebbles at St Columba’s Bay for mermaid’s tears, hiking over to the quarry to
find Iona marble, swimming at the North End, watching sunsets from the top of Dun I, helping Jane & Doodie with the sheep at Lagandorain, helping John shear his Hebridean flock, learning to ride a bike along the road from the village to the North end and boats to see the puffins on Staffa. Memories that my siblings and I and now our children and grandchildren will never forget. Iona is a small corner of paradise that we know we can escape to whenever our busy worlds overwhelm us. Just a boat away whenever peace and tranquillity call!
My parents first took our family to Iona in 1975 on a day trip from Fidden Farm camp site to escapes the midges. From then on, for 50 years we have been visiting Iona with various groups of family members from grandparents, parents, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. Last year, 2025, my sisters and I took my parents to stay in the Argyll Hotel to celebrate 65 years of marriage and 50 years of visiting the island.
We have had memorable stays at Griannan, Cnoc Oran and Lagandorain in both the cottage and hostel.
It has become a sanctuary that we keep returning to and holds so many of our
family memories and traditions.
From crawling on our hands and knees at Port Ban looking for cowries, scouring the pebbles at St Columba’s Bay for mermaid’s tears, hiking over to the quarry to
find Iona marble, swimming at the North End, watching sunsets from the top of Dun I, helping Jane & Doodie with the sheep at Lagandorain, helping John shear his Hebridean flock, learning to ride a bike along the road from the village to the North end and boats to see the puffins on Staffa. Memories that my siblings and I and now our children and grandchildren will never forget. Iona is a small corner of paradise that we know we can escape to whenever our busy worlds overwhelm us. Just a boat away whenever peace and tranquillity call!
When I was a child my uncle married a woman from Barra.
After that my family used to visit them on Barra as a holiday
quite often. At the time my parents had 5 of us kids, and we were a handful. I have so many wonderful memories of the beautiful beaches, the cafe that used to be in Castlebay and
climbing up what felt like epic hills. The second time we went my auntie's dad decided to take us out for a trip on his boat, this is one of my favourite memories. The weather was
stunning that day. We saw dolphins and jellyfish in the water.
When we landed, us kids played while the grown-ups fished.
We ate food that had been cooked over the bonfire and it was magic.
When I was a child my uncle married a woman from Barra.
After that my family used to visit them on Barra as a holiday
quite often. At the time my parents had 5 of us kids, and we were a handful. I have so many wonderful memories of the beautiful beaches, the cafe that used to be in Castlebay and
climbing up what felt like epic hills. The second time we went my auntie's dad decided to take us out for a trip on his boat, this is one of my favourite memories. The weather was
stunning that day. We saw dolphins and jellyfish in the water.
When we landed, us kids played while the grown-ups fished.
We ate food that had been cooked over the bonfire and it was magic.
Feeling inspired? Start browsing more west coast destinations easily reached by ferry to rediscover your island magic.
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