THE HEBRIDEAN COAST THAT STOLE MY HEART

"Breathtaking scenery, unspoilt beauty and wide-open skies"

- Adam Henson

I never thought I'd fall in love in my 50s. Don't panic, I'm not having a midlife crisis! But I do have a new-found affection for Banrigh nan Eilean or, as it's better known, Islay.

This island off the Scottish west coast is called the Queen of the Hebrides and the Green Isle of Islay. After a holiday there last summer, I know why. It's a place of utterly breathtaking scenery, unspoilt beauty and wide-open skies. As an added bonus, the weather there is surprisingly mild. Yes, it can be windy and Atlantic gales are common, but the effects of the Gulf Stream mean the island is warmer than mainland Scotland, heavy frosts are rare and hours of sunshine are high. I was enchanted, particularly by the sandy beaches and sweeping bays, and with 130 miles of coastline, there are plenty of them. So I packed my short stay with plenty of beach walks and bike rides.