Although I'm just a young thing (really!) I have been a dedicated Scottish island collector for many years, just a few more years and I will have visited all of Scotland's 70-ish inhabited islands. I have been having trouble completing the list as I find myself going back to the same islands over and over again. Some of my favourite islands make it downright difficult for you to just go past on the ferry, and, once you're there, difficult to leave. Others capture you in a timewarp where you lose all sense of time and suddenly you find you've been there three months, you've run out of money and your boyfriend's reported you missing. (Fair Isle residents may suss who I am now)

Every single one of them is windy, rocky, full of weather and uniquely magical, and in order for you to appreciate them fully, you will meed to visit far more than once.

My definition of an island is - a landmass of any size, completely surrounded by the sea at at least one state of the tide . I am quite strict with this, and as such I no longer consider Skye to be a true island as you can walk there dryshod at any state of the tide. Fortunately (for the purposes of this guide) I visited Skye many times before the bridge went up so I'm happy to include it on my list.

My definition of a visit is at least one overnight stay, preferably camping, but there are some amazing rustic hostels and bunkhouses dotted about. I have included some islands that Ive been to on a day trip, but those are all still on my list awaiting the opportunity to stay overnight.

All the active links on the top menu are islands I have visited, with the noticeable exception of Rockall, my good friend Al's been there (and landed) four times now and we reckon he must be near the top of the list for most frequent visitor. Just so you know I'm not claiming it as mine! If anyone reading this has been to any of the islands not covered, or wants to contribute anything to any of the island pages already listed, please get in touch with - h0wling@themoon.co.uk.