The Inner hebrides is an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland, to the south east of the Outer Hebrides. They are part of the Hebrides. Traditionally, the Inner Hebrides have been subdivided into two groups (northern and southern).

The Hebrides were settled early on in the settlement of the British Isles, perhaps as early as the Mesolithic era, around 8500-8250 BC, after the climatic conditions improved enough to sustain human settlement. There are examples of structures possibly dating from up to 3000 BC, the finest example being the standing stones at Callanish, but some archaeologists date the site as Bronze Age. Little is known of the people who settled in the Hebrides but they were likely of the same Celtic stock that had settled Scotland. Columba came to the Inner Hebrides in 563, founding a monastery on Iona and a number of other monasteries and retreats in the surrounding islands. The first written records of the islands began with the arrival of Columba. Later the Lords of the Isles would continue to rule the Inner Hebrides as well as part of the Western Highlands.

Today the Inner Hebrides are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland with islands such as Skye, Islay, Mull and dozens of other islands, each with their own unique characteristics.