Lewis and Harris island was today named among the world winners of the Travellers’ Choice Islands awards, announced by TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site*.

Lewis and Harris beat tropical rivals in Thailand, Chile and Madagascar to be included in the top five islands in the world, also making it the number one island in Europe, based on the reviews and opinions of millions of travellers on TripAdvisor.

Fancy a trip to Thailand? Not now, ‘Isle’ be heading to Scotland

Scottish Isles were among the best performing in the world, with the Orkney Islands mainland and the Isle of Mull also named among Europe’s top ten.

In fact, six of the UK’s top ten islands can be found north of the border. The Isle of Skye, Isle of Arran and Islay took fifth, sixth and eighth places respectively in the UK list of winners.

In its second year, the Travellers’ Choice Island awards winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor gathered during a 12-month period.

“An island holiday usually conjures images of faraway palm-lined beaches, white sand and crystal clear water but the results of this year’s awards reveal that the ideal island getaway might be closer to home than you think,” commented James Kay, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said, “With hundreds of islands, each with their own unique character, diverse landscape and rich wildlife, it’s no surprise that these islands have been recognised in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Islands awards. It’s always great to get this kind of recognition and I’m sure it will help encourage even more people to visit these incredible islands in 2014, the year Scotland Welcomes the World”.

World number one clings on to its crown for second year

Ambergris Caye in Belize has been crowned the number one island in the world for the second year running. The largest island in Belize, Ambergris Caye boasts spectacular caves, winding waterfalls, tropical rainforest and hundreds of limestone caves. The island also claims the second largest coral reef system in the world.

Top 10 Islands in the World:

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize

2. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

4. Marco Island, Florida

5. Lewis and Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom

6. Naxos, Greece

7. Aitutaki, Cook Islands

8. Nosy Be, Madagascar

9. Easter Island, Chile

10. Ko Tao, Thailand

Top 10 Islands in Europe:

1.    Lewis and Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom

2.    Naxos, Greece

3.    Island of Gozo, Malta

4.    Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom

5.    Milos, Greece

6.    Cephalonia, Greece

7.    Santorini, Greece

8.    Island of Capri, Italy

9.    Isle of Mull, Scotland, United Kingdom

10. Paros, Greece

Top 10 Islands in the UK:

1.    Lewis and Harris, Scotland, United Kingdom

2.    Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom

3.    Isle of Mull, Scotland, United Kingdom

4.    Jersey, Great Britain

5.    Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom

6.    Isle of Arran, Scotland, United Kingdom

7.    Isle of Man, Great Britain

8.    Islay, Scotland, United Kingdom

9.    St Mary’s, Isle of Scilly, United Kingdom

10. Island of Anglesey, Wales, United Kingdom

For the complete list of winners from the 2014 Travellers' Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels honoured for luxury, bargains and much more take a look at the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for Hotels, released in January: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Hotels.