How to visit the remotest parts of the British Isles

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Wherever you are in the British Isles you’re never more than about 75 miles from the sea. But with around 5,000 islands scattered around the coastline and beyond, reaching some of the more remote outposts can be an adventure in itself.

St Kilda, Scotland

The most isolated isles are St Kilda, around 100 miles off Scotland, which became a Unesco World Heritage Site for nature 30 years ago this summer and are now recognised for its cultural heritage too. Dubbed “the islands on the edge of the world”, the archipelago was inhabited for thousands of years until 1930, when the dwindling community was finally evacuated.

Towering sea stacs, where islanders hunted seabirds, and archaeological remains provide a fascinating glimpse into what life here was like. There are globally important colonies of gannets and unique wildlife including the St Kildan mouse.

The National Trust for Scotland, which owns the islands, runs a tiny, basic campsite - the only accommodation - costing £12pp per night (kilda.org.uk). GotoStKilda (gotostkilda.co.uk) offers boat trips from Skye costing £225 one way or £248 for a (long) day trip, plus £5 for a guided walk.

Bryher, England

Only 1.2 miles long and half a mile wide, Bryher lies about 30 miles off the Cornish coast, whacked by Atlantic waves on one side, and with calm, sandy beaches on the other. Hikers will find great views at the top of its (admittedly small) granite hills, while foodies can pick up local produce from track-side stalls, including eggs, fresh seafood and island fudge. Despite its population of only 80, it has plenty of places to stay and explore; try the Fraggle Rock bar and restaurant, popular with walkers, kayakers and Jamie Oliver.

Look out for dolphins on the sailing from Penzance to St Mary’s, which takes about 2 hrs 40 minutes and costs from around £45 each way. Connecting boats from St Mary’s to Bryher take another half hour, costing around £5.50 each way (visitislesofscilly.com).

Tory island, Ireland

Nowhere offers the royal treatment quite like Tory Island, whose “monarch” greets visitors stepping off the ferry from Donegal, nine miles away.

Patsy Dan Rodgers, the latest King of Tory appointed by fellow islanders for his cultural contributions, is one of the tiny island’s talented Gaelic-speaking musicians and artists, whose work attracts international tourists.

Monastic ruins from St Columba’s time are another draw and there are several B&Bs.

A return boat trip from Magheroarty (toryislandferry.com) costs €26, taking 40 minutes each way.

Bardsey, Wales

Bardsey is home to what has been dubbed the world’s rarest apple tree, thought to be the last from an orchard tended by monks centuries ago.

The island also remains a place of pilgrimage for Christians keen to see religious ruins, while nature lovers enjoy the flora and fauna in this key conservation site off the Lleyn Peninsula.

Enlli Charters (enllicharter.co.uk) offers day trips from Pwllheli for £40 return, plus wreck fishing. Self-catering cottages can be booked through Bardsey Island Trust (bardseytrust.org), which owns the island.

Fair Isle, Scotland

Famous for its knitted jumpers, Fair Isle is the UK’s most remote inhabited island, mid-way between Orkney and the rest of Shetland. Flying in offers incredible views of stunning scenery while staying at the island’s bird observatory brings visitors close to comedic puffins and other seabirds. Other accommodation includes a historic lighthouse.

An overnight ferry from Aberdeen costs from £27 one way (northlinkferries.co.uk). Flights to Fair Isle from Shetland’s main island with Direct Flight (directflight.co.uk) cost from £41.95 one way.