The Inner Hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. Together these two island chains form the Hebrides, which experience a mild oceanic climate. The Inner Hebrides comprise 35 inhabited islands as well as 44 uninhabited islands with an area greater than . Skye, Mull, and Islay are the three largest, and also have the highest populations. The main commercial activities are tourism, crofting, fishing and whisky distilling. In modern times the Inner Hebrides have formed part of two separate local government jurisdictions, one to the north and the other to the south. Together, the islands have an area of about , and had a population of 18,948 in 2011. The population density is therefore about .
There are various important prehistoric structures, many of which pre-date the first written references to the islands by Roman and Greek authors. In the historic period the earliest known settlers were Picts to the north and Gaels in the southern kingdom of Dál Riada prior to the islands becoming part of the Suðreyjar kingdom of the Norse, who ruled for over 400 years until sovereignty was transferred to Scotland by the Treaty of Perth in 1266. Control of the islands was then held by various clan chiefs, principally the MacLeans, MacLeods and MacDonalds. The Highland Clearances of the 19th century had a devastating effect on many communities and it is only in recent years that population levels have ceased to decline.
Sea transport is crucial and a variety of ferry services operate to mainland Scotland and between the islands. The Gaelic language remains strong in some areas; the landscapes have inspired a variety of artists; and there is a diversity of wildlife.
thumb|Looking west to Balephuil Bay, [[Tiree across the machair]]
thumb|[[Kinloch Castle, Rùm]]
Geography
thumb|[[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory, the largest settlement on Mull]]
thumb|[[Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak in the Inner Hebrides]]
The islands form a disparate archipelago. The largest islands are, from south to north, Islay, Jura, Mull, Rùm and Skye. Skye is the largest and most populous of all with an area of and a population of just over 10,000.
The southern group are in Argyll, an area roughly corresponding with the heartlands of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata and incorporated into the modern unitary council area of Argyll and Bute. The northern islands were part of the county of Inverness-shire and are now in the Highland Council area.
Physical
The ten largest islands are as follows.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:60%; border:0; text-align:left; line-height:150%;"
|-
! style="width:10%;"|Island
! style="width:10%;"|Gaelic name
! style="width:5%;"|Area (ha)
! style="width:5%;"|Population (2022)
! style="width:10%;"|Highest point
! style="width:5%;"|Height (m)
! style="width:10%;"|Gaelic Speakers (2011)
|-
| Coll
| Colla
|
|
|Ben Hogh
|
|
|-
| Colonsay
| Colbhasa
|
|
|Carnan Eoin
|
| 20.2% (15)
|-
| Eigg
| Eige
|
|
| An Sgurr
|
|
|-
| Islay
|
|
|
| Beinn Bheigeir
|
| 19% (613)
|-
| Jura
| Diùra
|
|
| Beinn an Òir
|
|
|-
| Lismore
| Lios Mor
|
|
| Barr Mòr
|
| 26.9% (50)
|-
|-
| Mull
| Muile
|
|
| Ben More
|
|
|-
| Raasay
| Ratharsair
|
|
| Dùn Caan
|
| 30.4% (48)
|-
| Rùm
| Rùm
|
|
| Askival
|
|
|-
| Skye
| An t-Eilean Sgitheanach<br />or Eilean a' Cheò
|
|
| Sgurr Alasdair
|
| 29.4% (2,942)
|-
| Tiree
| Tiriodh
|
|
| Ben Hynish
|
| 38.3% (250)
|}
The geology and geomorphology of the islands is varied. Some, such as Skye and Mull, are mountainous, whilst others like Tiree are relatively low-lying. The highest mountains are the Cuillins of Skye, although peaks over are common elsewhere. Many of the islands are swept by strong tides, and the Corryvreckan tide race between Scarba and Jura is one of the largest whirlpools in the world.
There are various smaller archipelagoes including the Ascrib Islands, Crowlin Islands, Slate Islands, Small Isles, Summer Isles and Treshnish Islands.
The islands are shown to be important as a region of tidal mixing of coastal water.