Scotland’s Lewis and Harris island has been named the best isle in Europe by Trip Advisor users, with Gozo placing a respectable third.

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 10. In its second year, the Travellers’ Choice Island awards are based on the quality and quantity of the most highly rated hotels, restaurants and attractions listed for each island in the past 12 months on Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel website.

“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,” said James Kay, Trip Advisor UK spokesperson.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of Visit Scotland, said: “Scotland has hundreds of islands, each with their own unique character, diverse landscape and rich wildlife, so it’s no surprise that these islands have been recognised in the Trip Advisor 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’.”

Ambergris Caye in Belize was crowned 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.

To be considered for these awards, an island could not be a country in its own right.

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, UK
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, UK
2. Naxos, Greece
3. Gozo, Malta
4. Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK
5. Milos, Greece
6. Cephalonia, Greece
7. Santorini, Greece
8. Capri, Italy
9. Isle of Mull, Scotland, UK
10. Paros, Greece

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