I was born and raised in Scotland, but until recently I hadn't spent much time visiting the country's islands.
For years, I longingly devoured travel brochures and social media posts that showcased the beautiful and rugged landscapes of Scotland's islands. In September, I finally got my chance to visit three islands: Barra in the Outer Hebrides, and Seil and Easdale in the Inner Hebrides.
My trip overlapped with the islands' offseason, which lasts from the end of September until May. I didn't consider the extent to which this would affect my trip, from the unpredictable weather to local businesses being closed.
The trip was still fantastic; the islands were full of picturesque beaches and rolling hills dotted with color. But if I were to island-hop in Scotland again, I'd surely visit during a different time of year.