I am thinking about going to a Scottish Island(s) next year for seabirds and other wildlife and my choice is between :-
1) Shetland Isles because of Skuas, Otter and Red Phalarope
2) Orkney because of the greater number of Birds of Prey
3) Lewis and Uist because of white tailed sea eagles.
Any recommendations? Which might be cheaper? From London what is the best way to go? Also would I need to hire a car?
Sorry for a broad question but I am not sure what is best.
Can't recommend one because all of them are superb.
Shetland will be the most expensive to get to, for obvious reasons, and it will be expensive while you are there because of the size.
The Outer Hebrides will probably be the cheapest. Orkney probably in the middle.
If you aren't driving from London then yes, you will need to hire a car. A car is, IMO, the only practical way of getting around and stopping where you want and for as long as you want.
You'll need to do a fair bit of calculation about travelling by public transport and then hiring a car versus using your own car.
Flights to Inverness (if going to the Outer Hebrides or Orkney) are cheap, possibly cheaper than driving, but depends on how many are going. If you can cope with sleeping in a seat for a night you could get the Caledonian Sleeper from Euston to Inverness for, at the moment, £50.00. Its more expensive than a cheap plane seat but saves messing about with waiting at an airport and no charge for luggage.
If you are looking at Shetland then the choices are flying to Sumburgh and hiring a car, or the overnight ferry from Aberdeen either with or without a car. I haven't flown but the ferry is great and you arrived about 7am so gain an extra day.
How you travel also depends on how much time you have.
For wildlife there is not much to choose. They all have it an abundance.
Dave