Small Isles Info, Ulster

The lunar landscape of the Giant's Causeway, lurking below the gaunt sea wall where the land ends, must have struck wonder into the hearts of the ancient Irish. The Causeway proper is a mass of basalt columns packed tightly together. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Altogether there are 40,000 of these stone columns, mostly hexagonal but some with four, five, seven and eight sides. The tallest are about 40 feet high, and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 90 feet thick in places.

Built on a Peninsula with panoramic views to Donegal, Dunluce Castle and the Giants Causeway headland - two exceptional beaches and excellent coastal walks offers all the facilities you would need for a family vacation or a base to explore the surrounding regions from.

Dunoon is the seaboard gateway to the Scottish Highlands, including the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It is a great touring base with an excellent selection of accommodation, shops and eating places to choose from.

The Isle of Mull and the neighbouring island of Iona lie just off the west coast of Scotland, in the United Kingdom. From Oban, on the mainland, where many visitors arrive on their way to Mull and Iona, the seaward view is dominated by the rocky peaks and green slopes of the Mull mountains.

Known as the "Gateway to the Isles". Oban nestles around its spectacularly beautiful bay, further protected by the Isle of Kerrera with Mull and Morvern beyond. The Town's popularity owes much to the intrepid Victorian travellers who came on steamers and later, by rail, to experience the charm and grandeur of the local scenery, and then just as now to visit peaceful Iona, Staffa together with the ancient historic castles of Dunollie, Dunstaffnage, Gylen and Duart.

Brodick is a town on the eastern side of the Isle of Arran. The main road across the island runs from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot on the west side. The Isle of Arran is located an hour ferry's ride from Ardrossan, not far from Glasgow. The island has 10 peaks over 600m and a coastal road. The main city is Brodick, which has a castle.

Bruichladdich Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery on the Rhinns of the isle of Islay. It is one of eight distilleries on the island, and until the recent opening of Kilchoman the only independent one.

Campbeltown is a town and former royal burgh in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, located by Campbeltown Loch on the Kintyre peninsula. Originally known as Kinlochkilkerran - this form is still used in Gaelic. It was renamed in the 17th century and became an important centre for shipbuilding and Scotch whisky, and a busy fishing port.

Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde, in south-west Scotland.

Brodick is a town on the eastern side of the Isle of Arran. The main road across the island runs from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot on the west side. The Isle of Arran is located an hour ferry's ride from Ardrossan, not far from Glasgow. The island has 10 peaks over 600m and a coastal road. The main city is Brodick, which has a castle.

Craobh Haven is a small purpose-built village and sailing port on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the Craignish peninsula.

Drymen is a village in Stirling district in central Scotland. Drymen lies to the west of the Campsie Fells and enjoys views to Dumgoyne on the east and to Loch Lomond on the west. The Queen Elizabeth Forest reaches down to the village edge, and the whole area is part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (the first National Park in Scotland).

Port Bannatyne is a centuries old stonebuilt highland village in north Bute, situated around a safe yacht bay and with its own charming golf course. A haven for walkers, cyclists, fishermen, birdwatchers, yachtsmen, and nature lovers. It is close to the seal colony at Scalpsie Bay and the bathing beach at Ettrick Bay.

Tobermory is a beautiful small seaside town, the capital of The Isle of Mull, its colourful houses appear in many photographs. The perfect island for whale watching, eagle watching white sand beaches and a peaceful tranquil holiday.