Scottish Islands Airports

Airports Information

Increasingly flying to the Shetlands has become an easier option meaning relatively hassle-free travel to peace and tranquillity once you land. Inter-island flights also make it an easy hop across for exploring more of the Shetland Islands.

A surprising amount of the Shetland Islands have airports or at least airstrips. Shetland Mainland has two airports, Sumburgh Airport in South Mainland and Tingwall Airport in Central Mainland. Sumburgh tends to be the main airport for UK and international flights while Tingwall tends to run inter-island flights on small 8 seater planes.

Other islands are served by Direct Flight planes such as Fair Isle, Foula and Out Skerries. Flying over the islands gives you a bird's-eye view of the Shetlands on clear days.

Orkney Islands Airports

Kirkwall Airport is 3 miles east of Kirkwall itself. Scheduled flights largely by Loganair/British Airways to and from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness Sumburgh on Shetland are serviced by Kirkwall Airport.

Inter-island flights are also available serving Eday, Papa Westray, Westray, North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Stronsay.

The flight between Papa Westray and Westray is the shortest scheduled flight in the world lasting a mere 2-3 minutes! If you make the journey you get a certificate to prove you've made it.

Outer Hebrides Airports Western Isles

Airports in the Outer Hebrides can be found at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Benbecula and Barra which is an experience in itself.

Stornoway Airport, four miles east of the town, is the main airport for flights to the Western Isles. Flights to Stornoway run direct from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Inter-island flights to Benbecula also fly from Stornoway.

There are two other airports serving the Outer Hebrides islands. Both Barra in the far south and Benbecula between North and South Uist have airports. Benbecula airport is on the west coast of the island. It used to be an RAF base during the war, but started taking passenger flights after it ended. The airport has a modern terminal building with a cafe. Loganair run regular scheduled flights from Glasgow and Barra to Benbecula. Highland Airways run regular direct flights from Stornoway to Benbecula. There are no direct flights to Barra from Stornoway.

Barra Airport is actually on a beach - the only beach airport in the world handling scheduled flights. Flights are limited to both airports as is space on the small aircraft used.

Islay Airport

Islay has its own small airport. British Airways/Loganair schedule regular flights to Islay from Glasgow International Airport. There are usually two departures daily and the journey takes forty five minutes. Check the flight finder on the Islay Airport page, or the BA website links right.

Islay Airport is on the south west of the islands beside a seven mile beach. The airport has a licensed cafe/bar where Morag serves up family-style home cooking and baking. Open during the airport opening times. You can also hire bikes from Morag's Cafe. There is also a gift shop at the airport. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-12.30 and 1.30-6.15pm. Sat 9.30-10.30am. Sun 5.30-6.30pm.

There are disabled facilities including toilets and wheelchairs, ramps and lifts. If you require assistance make any necessary arrangements prior to arriving at the airport either through your flight operator or by contacting the airport administration staff on telephone: 01496 302022.

The Oban to Colonsay Air Service

You can now fly direct to the Isle of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides from Oban Airport. Flights between Oban and Colonsay operate twice daily on Tuesdays and Thursdays. See the Highland Airways website link right for flight booking to Colonsay and flight timetable details. Extra flights between Oban Airport and Colonsay also run during term-time on Saturdays and Sundays.