30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The tiny hidden gem Scottish island home to 'excellent pub and café'
Nothing says 'holiday' quite like an island trip. Fortunately, you don't need to travel halfway around the world for a stunning island getaway.
Scotland is home to more isles than you could possibly count. While many are uninhabited, there are a few that are worth a proper visit.
One of these hidden gem Scottish islands is Easdale. The tiny isle has an area of just 62 acres and is home to a population of around only 60 people.
Easdale is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn. It is separated from the nearby island of Seil by a thin channel that can be crossed on a five-minute ferry journey from the village of Ellenabeich.
The island was formerly home to major slate quarries, and was even considered a centre for Scotland's slate industry. However, following the death of commercial quarrying in the 20th century, Easdale's population began to dwindle and its future was in doubt.
However, in the years since, the island has undergone a regeneration. The population has grown, and today it is one of the smallest permanently inhabited islands in Scotland.
Popular music act Florence and the Machine even filmed two music videos on Easdale. The beautiful island can be seen as a backdrop in the visuals for their singles Queen of Peace and Long and Lost on the island—with local residents appearing as actors.
When arriving on Easdale yourself, you will quickly realise that the best way to see the island is simply by walking around. In fact, the entire circumference can be traversed in around an hour.
In terms of things to do on the island, the fascinating Easdale Folk Museum should be your first port of call. Housed in an old workers cottage, the museum will teach you about everything from the local slate industry to geology and boats.
When it comes to food and drink, The Puffer is pretty much your only option. Fortunately, the family-owned pub, café, and restaurant has earned rave reviews.
The Puffer's café menu includes a homemade soup of the day and sandwiches served with dressed salad and rainbow coleslaw. Among the fillings on offer are cheddar and ham, venison, halloumi, and haddock.
Meanwhile, its dinner offerings include Loch Fyne Jarl battered haddock with twice-cooked chips and panko breaded halloumi sticks. You can also enjoy meat and veggie burgers, as well as various sharing platters.
The Puffer has an average rating of 4.6 out of five on Google based on 89 reviews. Customers have praised it as "fabulous", "excellent", and "friendly and welcoming".
Elsewhere, Easdale itself has also received positive reviews from visitors and tourists. The island has an overall score of 4.8 out of five based on 96 reviews.
One traveller posted: "I absolutely loved visiting Easdale. Walking the whole circumference only takes about an hour and the views are so stunning.
"There are plenty of places to take seats and contemplate nature too. Thank you to all the residents especially, your warm welcome made my trip all the better."
A second echoed: "Excellent walk around old slate workings. Lunch in pub excellent as was the boat trip from the mainland."
A third Google user shared: "A wonderful place. Ideal for lowering the revs and enjoying the days simply by being there."
