By Maureen Jones

I love staying on the islands in Scotland. I try to visit one every time I go home. I’ll share information about some of my favorite hotels that I have visited many times.

Kilmichael Country House Hotel on the Isle of Arran is the oldest house on the island. It offers seven elegant and rather beautiful bedrooms. The house is set in magnificent gardens and the chef is outstanding. Each of the seven rooms is unique and Arran is a lovely place to visit.

I grew up on the Isle of Skye in the Western Hebrides. Toravaig House Hotel at Sleat is a lovely location where Gaelic is widely spoken. Its owner was captain of the luxurious small cruise ship MV Hebridean Princess for several years.

Cruising is a wonderful way to sail around Scotland. Toravaig House is a beautiful, small country hotel of quality with an ambience of peace and comfort. One obvious Gaelic word springs to mind: glayva (very good).

Argyll House is on Isle of Iona. From the west coast port of Oban, a ferry will first take you to the Isle of Mull, passing dramatic Duart Castle, the home of Clan MacLean. When I traveled this spring, the spectacular beauty of the crossing made me almost weep at it all. My blood is very strong when the Hebrides are involved!

Felix Mendelssohn wrote “The Hebrides Overture” after an extended visit. Iona is most sacred with its remarkable and soul-lifting Benedictine Abbey, ancient Celtic high crosses and peaceful community.

Miller’s House in Stromness, Orkney Isles, is the oldest house in Stromness. One can feel the past while breakfasting like a Norse king on fresh fish straight from the harbor. The Isles offer wonderful bird watching and fishing. Take the ferry from the mainland.

Scarinish Hotel in Scarinish, Isle of Tiree has been spruced up by new owners. The hotel offers a cheery environment on this surfers’ and birdwatchers’ paradise. The Isle of Tiree is not easy to get to but worth the effort.

Sui Generis on the Isle of Eday, Orkney Isles is an amazing place. It is part of a gallery/craftsman furniture-making complex. Dinner by the peat fire is a unique experience in an out-of-the-way-place.

I have discovered so many hidden places on my visits to different parts of Scotland. These are just a few to whet your appetite.

Maureen Jones is president of Los Altos-based All Horizons Travel. For more information, visit www.allhorizonstvl.com or call 941-5810.