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Isle of Tiree

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides, with a mild climate and white sand beaches.

The charming Isle of Tiree is the most westerly of the Inner Hebridean islands and at about 12 miles long and three miles wide, it’s relatively small. The landscape of Tiree is rather flat and has been described as ‘a raised beach’ and ‘the land below the waves’. The island is also known for its fertile soils and has a strong crofting heritage.

Long hours of sunshine

The island is one of the sunniest places in the UK, and with the moderating influence of the warm Gulf Stream, winter temperatures are generally higher than on the mainland, while summer evenings are warm and balmy.

Great gusts!

Tiree is also known as a windy place, with the strongest winter gales normally occurring in December and January. The advantage, however, is that midges are almost non-existent in summer. It’s a mecca for windsurfers, particularly each October when the island hosts the Tiree Wave Classic, the most prestigious and longest standing windsurfing event on the British calendar.

White sands

The beautiful beaches provide miles of potential sandcastles, gently sloping paddling pools, and, of course, windsurfing for the more adventurous. The abundance of birds and other wildlife will keep naturalists engrossed for many an hour, while the pretty coastline is perfect for long peaceful walks.

Preserving the past

Tiree's history and architecture capture the imagination, revealing island life in bygone ages. There are several interesting archaeological remains including a broch and several crannogs. The heritage centres at Scarinish and Hynish also give an insight into island life in the past through relics, stories, poems, maps and more.

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Monkey and Mouse

The Complete Guide To Visit Tiree

June 11, 2022 by Jenny Eaves Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

Visit Tiree With Families

You aren’t going to find big attractions such as theme parks or huge museums on the Scottish islands . But what you will find are stunning landscapes, beautiful turquoise sea and lots of wild play opportunities. Visit Tiree and you will leave feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The Isle of Tiree is known for it’s sunshine and wind, so despite it being frequently sunny, you are going to want layers and a woolly hat to keep warm! With little legs you can simply explore the coastline, without going on longer walks. Although there are plenty of walks that would be no problem for most active kids over 6-7 years old. There’s always something interesting on every walk!

Getting To Tiree

Before you can explore the Isle of Tiree you need to get there! Most people catch the ferry from Oban . It’s a 3-4 hour journey around the Isle of Mull , to Tiree. There is a short stop at Coll (Tiree’s neighbour) to let vehicles off and on the ferry, before it arrives at Scarinish on Tiree. It’s also worth noting that you can easily arrive at Oban , right by the ferry terminal, by train from Glasgow.

The alternative is to fly to Tiree using a scheduled Loganair flight from Glasgow. The flights are frequent, normally twice a day. Obviously you won’t have transport once you arrive, so it’s great to know that there is a Tiree car hire company. This is a great way to arrive if you have limited time.

Accommodation For Visiting Tiree

Tiree has a variety of accommodation available, although you definitely need to book in advance. In Scarinish (the main village) there is the Scarinish Beach Hotel, which has 7 bedrooms and a recently refurbished restaurant. The other hotel on Tiree is the Tiree Lodge Hotel, just around the coast on Gott Bay. There are 15 rooms, plus a bar and restaurant.

There’s a huge range of self catered properties throughout the island. Check out the listings on Discover Tiree webpage for more information, including thatched cottages. You can also check out AirBnb for other self catered options.

For the budget option there is Balinoe campsite , which has 20 pitches for tents, campervans and caravans. Both grass and hard standing is available, plus an indoor area with cooking facilities, fridge, freezer and even wifi. If you don’t need any facilities there are also the croft sites, which are simple grassy fields. These also need booked in advance and although they aren’t serviced there us free chemical waste disposal in Scarinish. Wild camping is only allowed without vehicles, such as walkers, cyclists and kayakers. They must follow the countryside law and leave no trace.

Eating Out on Tiree

Eating out on Tiree is not quite as easy as on the mainland! During the summer everywhere is busy and you will have to wait for a table or come back in half an hour or so. For the hotel restaurants you can book dinner in advance, which is recommended.

Yellow Hare is a small cafe with just one indoor table, but several picnic benches outside. you can choose from hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes and ice cream.

Scarinish Beach Hotel is near the beach in Scarinish (as the name suggests). They change menus throughout the year, so it’s a bit of a surprise to what is available! The food is delicious, although there weren’t any children’s options or half portions available when we visited.

Tiree Lodge Hotel looks out over Gott Bay. There are plenty of tables indoors, plus a bar next door. A variety of meals available including smaller kids options. We had a delicious dinner here one evening!

Aisling’s Kitchen at the Cobbled Cow is beside the airport on The Reef. it’s a small cafe with tasty lunches or hot drinks and cake. A good stop to fuel up with lunch.

The Farmhouse Cafe Balemartine is on the way to Hynish. Another good option fir lunch, with a variety of meals and cakes.

Chocolates and Charms is a small gift shop that also sells hot drinks and cakes. Plus some delicious handmade chocolates!

Things To Do When Visiting Tiree

You definitely don’t come to Tiree for big attractions like them parks and large museums. But if you enjoy a slower pace of life and being outdoors then you will absolutely love visiting Tiree!

One of the most popular things to do is take a few walks. We went for various walks each day, in better weather we chose longer walks and in the rain it’s best to go for short or sheltered walks. If you’re catching the ferry over I recommend picking up a copy of the Tiree walks book. It’s on the rack in the small ferry shop. You can also buy the Tiree walks book on Amazon here.

Our favourite walk was a longer one, which we made into a loop from Gott Bay to the Ringing Stone, Vaul Broch and then back to Gott Bay. We also found thousands of cowrie shells on the Ringing Stone beach and the beach afterward. The ringing stone is a lot of fun, testing out different rock to hear the metallic ringing sound from this ancient rock!

The other walk we particularly enjoyed was a short one from Hynish to Happy Valley. Visit when the tide is out to explore the fantastic rock formations, smoothed by the sea. Please note that the path isn’t clear as someone has put temporary fencing over part of the pathway.

Tiree is blessed with many beaches, so you will definitely want to explore as many as you can! Perfect to wander along, look for pretty stones and shells and watch the wildlife and waves. The birdlife is amazing on Tiree, with no land predators you will hear a cacophony of bird song and enjoy watching them fly nearby. Also look out for the many hares darting out of their hiding spots!

Watersports

For a more adrenalin filled trip you can try watersports with either Wild Diamond or Blackhouse Watersports . You can take surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing and paddle boarding lessons. There’s also the possibility to hire kayaks.

We chose to try surfing with Wild Diamond. They were great and we all stayed warm in the 5mm wetsuits we hired. The eldest was particularly good at catching the waves and standing up!

Museums and Historical Sites

There are several small museums and historical places to visit. I’d first recommend visiting the little red tin house, An Iodlhann, in Scarinish , which is a small museum about the Tiree’s history. It has some interesting displays and also houses a small library of books about the island. Plus if you are descended from a Tiree family this is where to find information on family history.

In Hynish you will find the old lighthouse community, with a lovely little museum about Skerryvore Lighthouse . The community was built to house the families of the lighthouse keepers and on a clear day you can just make out the lighthouse itself. A faint line on the horizon. Listen out for Corncrakes in the spring and summer, this is a great spot to hear them. If you’re extremely lucky then you may even see one!

There are several historical sites to visit. The broch near Vaul is definitely an interesting stop on a walk. There is a sign explaining what the broch would have looked like just outside a fence if you approach from the East. Nearby is the ancient ringing stone with cup marks, another sign is on the machair above the beach, explaining what it was used for.

The island also played an important point in WWII, with over 2000 people stationed at the RAF base. whilst the war in the Atlantic was continuing RAF Tiree was important as a base for protecting the North Atlantic. There are several concrete lookouts, now used by sheep, around the Balevullin area.

In good weather you can take a boat tour to nearby Coll or across to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. The weather was too windy when we visited, but we’ve previously visited all these islands and it’s definitely worth the trip if the weather is in your side.

In Spring and summer you can visit the puffins on Lunga, which is still a favourite trip of ours! The puffins are used to humans and you can get very close to them!

Shopping When Visiting Tiree

Co-op food is the main food shop on Tiree, located in Scarinish it’s an easy stop after you arrive by ferry. They have a huge selection of tins, packets, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meals, plus alcohol, bakery and snack items. it’s easy to buy most of what you need for a week there, unless you need specialist produce.

Just beside The Reef is the Tiree Post Office and shop, which also has a variety of food produce and kids beach toys. Another good place to stock up with food.

The Yellow Hare in Scarinish is a small cafe, only one small table inside, but various picnic benches outdoors. You can pick up hot drinks, cold drinks, ice cream and home baked cakes. There are also a range of gift items throughout the shop, including items with the Tiree flag.

Chocolates and Charms is a fantastic little gift shop with a small cafe for hot drinks and cakes. The gift shop has a large variety of items, from kids wooden and soft toys, to beautiful jewellery and ceramics. This is definitely a good place to find something for anyone on your list.

Whalesong Tiree is a tiny gift shop open on certain days throughout the week. There are mostly beautiful pieces of handmade jewellery and hanging items. But there are also t-shirts and other items available too. The emphasis is on reusing waste items or locally sourced shells and driftwood.

Dot Sim Jewellery designs beautiful silver and gold jewellery pieces. She has exhibited her work all over the world. You can find stunning pieces that reflect the beauty of the landscapes of Tiree.

At Loch Bhassapol you will find Wild Diamond shop. They have a selection of hardwear for watersports, including kite surfing items, neoprene clothing and bodyboards for kids. You can also buy locally branded t-shirts and other items.

Hebridean Roast is a local coffee company who produce delicious roasted coffee. You can buy takeaway coffee at the shop or take a pack home to remember your trip to Tiree.

Tiree Distillery sells both Tiree whisky and Tiree gin. Perfect stop to test some locally made alcohol, particularly if you enjoy a good whisky! You can also book a distillery tour, with free sample to take home with you or try distilling your own gin at the distilleries Tyree Gin School!

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About Tiree

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Getting here

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Welcome to Isle of Tiree.

If you seek tranquillity, freedom of space and clean pure air, the Isle of Tiree has it all. Though only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, the sky and sea stretch from horizon to horizon. With no woodland and only three sizeable hills on an otherwise flat landscape, there is nothing to obscure the view. And the only sounds you are likely to hear are the waves lapping on the vast expanses of white sand beaches and a myriad of birdcalls.

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Isle of Tiree Visitor Guide

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides . The island is known for its low-lying landscape, with its highest point just 141 meters above sea level. The Isle of Tiree measures approximately 20 miles long and 12 miles wide, covering an area of about 30 square miles.

Renowned for its exceptional levels of sunshine during the summer, the island is often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of the North’. Tiree is also famous for its long stretches of sandy beaches and excellent wind conditions, making it a popular destination for windsurfing and other water sports.

The Isle of Tiree, the westernmost island in the Inner Hebrides, is renowned for its unspoiled beauty, pristine beaches, and fascinating wildlife. Known as the ‘Sunshine Isle’, it offers family-friendly experiences, historical sites, and hosts an annual music festival as well as a major surf competition, making it a great destination for visitors of all ages.

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. Although small at only 30 square miles, it has become increasingly popular with tourists thanks to its golden sand beaches and shallow bays of crystal clear water. This low-lying isle has a small population of around 650 permanent residents but this number increases significantly in summer when tourists flock to the island to enjoy the beautiful beaches and peaceful setting.

The weather in Tiree can be changeable but the island enjoys a relatively high number of total hours of sunshine ( around 1500 ) during the late spring and early summer compared to the average for the UK, although strong winds can be felt throughout the year.

The island is best known for its collection of beaches (you can read about them in this article – Guide to Tiree’s Best Beaches ) which surround the picturesque coastline almost end-to-end from the wide-open bays of Gott and Crossapol to the off-the-beaten-track hideaways of Sandaig and Caolas.

Although beach holidays are the main attraction, many visitors flock to Tiree to enjoy two of the biggest events in the Inner Hebrides – the Tiree Music Festival and the Tiree Wave Classic – which are worth attending but usually mean accommodation and travel are sold out unless you book months in advance.

For the rest of the year, Tiree has a relaxed atmosphere thanks to the fact that it’s not as commercialised as Skye or Islay and it’s more difficult to get to due to its location, but I reckon it’s the perfect place for a ‘staycation’ summer holiday.

The Highlights

1: Tiree is renowned for its stunning and unspoiled beaches, such as Balephuil Bay, Gott Bay, and Balevullin Bay. These beaches are perfect for a peaceful walk, sunbathing, and water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.

2: With its flat terrain and scenic landscapes, Tiree is perfect for cycling and walking. There are numerous routes to explore which offer breathtaking views of the coastline and countryside.

3: Tiree is home to several fascinating historical sites like the Ringing Stone, a large boulder covered in ancient cup markings, and the ruins of the 13th-century chapel of St Patrick which houses early Christian and medieval carved stones.

Visiting Tips

1: Tiree is quite windy with wind speeds averaging around 18 mph so make sure you take windproof clothing with you whatever time of year you visit. Whenever I’ve visited Tiree I always make sure I pack a foldable jacket in my bag (Amazon link) as you never know when the weather will change.

2: The winds have been known to cancel ferry sailings without much notice so check the Calmac website for details before travelling. As with most islands, Tiree is dependent on ferries, but at least there’s an airport with daily flights to Glasgow.

3: The beaches you visit will depend on the wind direction, so taking a map with you will help you make the most of your holiday. Google Maps are ok if you have an internet connection, but the best option is paper Ordnance Survey maps which are ideal for working out where the most secluded beaches are. Buy OS Explorer Maps direct from Ordnance Survey.

Tourist Information

Sometimes called The Hawaii of the North due to its glorious weather, the Isle of Tiree is a popular windsurfing venue and the longest-running windsurfing competition in the world – the Tiree Wave Classic – is held on the island each year in October. The event showcases the best windsurfing talent in the world and it’s an opportunity for spectators to enjoy surf culture as well as watch this exciting sport close up.

Another big event held on the island is the annual Tiree Music Festival  which features the cream of Scottish folk and rock music across three days of fun, food, and music. The event has been steadily growing in size since its creation in 2010 and now attracts around 2,000 music fans each year and has won 9 national awards including the Best Scottish Small Event award.

There are lots of wee attractions to explore on Tiree like the local history museum in the island’s main village of Scarinish and the Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum, while natural wonders including Fingals Cave and the Ringing Stone offer interesting excursions into the remotest parts of the island.

Access to Tiree is easy thanks to the small airport and the regular  Calmac  ferry crossings, although as accommodation is limited it can be hard to find a place to stay during the peak summer season so it’s recommended to book well in advance.

With regards to flights, you can take a scheduled Loganair flight from Glasgow Airport or charter a flight from Oban with  Hebridean Air , with the more popular Glasgow flight taking a mere 40 minutes door-to-door. As you fly over the island you’ll get your first glimpses of what’s to come – crescent-shaped bays, huge plains of machair (wildflowers and grasses), and tiny villages dotted about. You might even see pods of dolphins and minke whales swimming off the coastline.

Once you’re on the island you have several transport options available, although the easiest is to use your own car if you’ve taken the ferry. However, if you want to be a bit more eco-friendly you can walk or hire a bike.

Bike hire is (in my opinion) the best option to explore Tiree, so contact Tiree Fitness which hires bikes for around £20 per day (£85 per week) and electric bikes for £35 per day (£170 per week). Electric bikes are a great idea as they allow you to roam around the island’s many miles of country roads with a minimum of effort and they make it easy to cycle into the inevitable headwinds that’ll battle to push you off course.

If you’d prefer four-wheeled transport you can hire a car from MacLennan Motors or you can hire a taxi from John Kennedy Taxis which operates out of Crossapol (tel: 01879 220419).

With regards to accommodation, you should know that Tiree is always busy in summer so you’ll have to book well in advance if you want to secure a holiday rental. Many of the Islanders let out their homes for the summer season and the prices are constantly changing, so instead of listing them all on this page I’ll just link to the official Isle of Tiree Places to Stay page which has a comprehensive list of available holiday homes.

Things to Do

Windsurfing: The Isle of Tiree is renowned for its wind conditions, making it the perfect place for windsurfing. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a complete beginner, there are plenty of opportunities to ride the waves. The island also hosts an annual windsurfing competition each October – the Tiree Wave Classic – that attracts professionals from around the world.

Exploring Tiree: Step back in time and explore Tiree’s fascinating history. Visit the Iron Age ring fort, Dun Mor Vaul, and marvel at the nearby Ringing Stone. The Tiree Heritage Centre also offers an insight into the island’s past with exhibits showcasing traditional tools, clothing, and photographs.

Bird Watching: For nature lovers, a visit to Loch a’ Phuill is a must. This tranquil spot is a haven for a wide variety of bird species including Lapwings, Redshanks, and the rare Corncrake. Don’t forget your binoculars if you want a close-up view as there’s little cover to hide behind. Click here to read binocular reviews.

Cycling: Tiree’s flat terrain and scenic landscapes make it ideal for cycling. Hire a bike and take a leisurely ride around the island while taking in the stunning coastal views, sandy beaches, and colourful wildflower meadows.

Tiree Music Festival: If you’re visiting in July, don’t miss the Tiree Music Festival. This popular event attracts bands from all over the world and offers a unique blend of folk, rock, and Celtic music. With a backdrop of clear blue seas and white sandy beaches, it’s a music festival like no other.

Things to Do Nearby

Gott Bay . Address: Kirkapol, PA77 6TW. Gott Bay is the largest bay in Tiree and is home to the largest beach on the island. The southern end is the location of the Barra and Coll ferry jetty while the northern end allows access to a small and rarely visited islet. Because Gott Bay is sheltered it’s an ideal family beach thanks to its shallow waters.

Scarinish . Address: Scarinish, PA77 6UH. Scarinish is the main settlement on Tiree and is the location of the island’s supermarket as well as a bank and a post office. In addition, Scarinish has an attractive harbour which is the main departure point for wildlife cruises to the Isle of Lunga .

Skerryvore Lighthouse Museum . Address: Hynish, PA77 6UG. This is a small, free-to-enter museum that explores the history behind the Skerryvore Lighthouse – one of the remotest, oldest, and tallest lighthouses in the United Kingdom. Skerryvore is situated on the southeast corner of Tiree which is a great place to visit in itself as it offers visiting tourists the chance to walk along a wild, rocky coastline that’s home to countless seabirds.

The Ringing Stone . Address: Tiree, PA77 6UY. This unusual natural attraction is a large boulder that sits in a remote region on the northwest side of the island. This boulder has an unusual rock composition which creates a ringing sound when struck, similar to striking metal. Though folklore says the boulder was thrown there by a giant, it is, in fact, a remnant left behind by a glacier.

Balevullin Beach . Address: Balevullin, PA77 6XD. This beach on the southwest corner of Tiree is one of the most-visited due to its position facing the strong winds of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a superb location for windsurfing. Visitors looking to learn the sport before heading out onto the open water can head inland to nearby Loch Bhasapol which is used by watersports training schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is tiree.

Tiree is 30.24 square miles / 78.34 square km / 7,834 hectares in total area. Tiree is served by Calmac ferries and Logainair flights . Directions map: Google Maps

Is Tiree the sunniest place in the UK?

Tiree enjoys an average of 1534 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest places in Scotland. The seaside resort of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight is officially the sunniest place in Britain with an average of 1923 hours of sunshine annually.

Do you get midges on Tiree?

Midges are prevalent on the west coast of Scotland. However, Tiree is known as the windy isle and midges are virtually non-existent in summer.

Midges cannot take off when the wind speed is above 7 mph, and the average wind speed on Tiree is 13 mph from March to October.

Is Tiree worth visiting?

Tiree is one of the most popular west coast islands in Scotland thanks to its clear seas and wide, golden beaches that are easy to access.

Tiree is a haven for windsurfing thanks to its shallow bays and high winds, and it is home to two much-anticipated annual events – the Tiree Music Festival and the Tiree Surf Classic

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

• International

College protests over Gaza sweep across America

By Elizabeth Wolfe, Dalia Faheid, Aya Elamroussi and Nouran Salahieh, CNN

Protests continue at campuses across the US as more arrests are announced. Here’s the latest

From CNN staff

A wave of pro-Palestinian campus protests is rippling across the US, with hundreds of people arrested at universities throughout the country this week.

At New York's Columbia University,  the epicenter of the demonstrations,  protesting students said they won’t disperse until the school agrees to cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and disinvest its funds from entities connected to Israel, among other demands. Protesters at other campuses have similar demands .

The campus encampments spreading across the nation have brought together students from a variety of backgrounds — including Palestinians, Arabs, Jews and Muslims — to decry Israel's bombardment of Gaza .

Here are the latest developments:

Columbia University : The faculty senate is expected to vote on a resolution admonishing the school’s president, Minouche Shafik, on Friday over several of her decisions, according to The New York Times. Shafik has faced criticism for authorizing police to shut down student protests on campus.

University of Southern California : The university canceled its main commencement ceremony next month, citing "new safety measures in place.” Nearly  100 people have been arrested  on the campus.

Emory University : 28 people were arrested , including 20 Emory community members, during a protest at the school, Vice President for Public Safety Cheryl Elliott said. Troopers deployed pepper balls “to control the unruly crowd” during the protest, Georgie State Patrol said. A group of Democratic Georgia state lawmakers condemned the “ excessive force used by Georgia State Patrol” during arrests at Emory.

Brown University: The university identified about 130 students who it alleges violated a school conduct code that forbids encampments on campus. Students found responsible will be disciplined depending on their behavior and other factors, including any prior conduct violations, the university said.

Emerson College: More than 100 people were arrested and four police officers injured during an encampment clearing at the Boston liberal arts college, according to the Boston Police Department. President Jay Bernhardt said he recognized and respected "the civic activism and passion that sparked the protest" after dozens of arrests.

Indiana University : 33 people were detained on campus following encampment protests.

George Washington University : DC Metropolitan Police were asked to assist in relocating an “unauthorized protest encampment” on campus, university president Ellen M. Granberg said. The decision came "after multiple instructions made by GWPD to relocate to an alternative demonstration site on campus went unheeded by encampment participants," she said.

University of California, Los Angeles : A "demonstration with encampments" formed at UCLA on Thursday.

Northeastern University: An encampment formed at Northeastern University in Boston, where dozens of protesters were seen forming a human chain around several tents. 

Other campuses: Since last Thursday, there have been protests at several campuses, including the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology , University of Texas at Austin, University of Michigan,  University of New Mexico , University of California, Berkeley, Yale University , Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus .

Progress in negotiations between Columbia protesters and administrators, university says

From CNN’s Paradise Afshar

Negotiations between Columbia University administrators and pro-Palestinian protesters who've been occupying a campus lawn with a sprawling encampment "have shown progress and are continuing as planned," the school said in a statement late Thursday.

"For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following University policies going forward," the university said.

"We have our demands; they have theirs."

The university also denied rumors that the NYPD had been called to campus, calling them "false."

Some context: Columbia announced late Tuesday that it had given protesters a midnight deadline to agree to dismantle their encampment. But the university then said early Wednesday that it had extended the talks for another 48 hours . If no agreement is reached, the school has said it will consider "alternative options," which many protesters have interpreted to mean calling in police to clear the site.

Protesters at Emory University briefly clash with police

From CNN's Elizabeth Wolfe, Jamiel Lynch and Rebekah Riess

Protesters briefly clashed with police at Emory University in Georgia on Thursday, the university told CNN.

A confrontation between protesters and police outside the school's Candler School of Theology prompted an "increased law enforcement presence" on campus, according to the university.

"A group of about 100 people left the Quad and marched to the Candler School of Theology, where some protesters pinned police officers against building doors and attempted to access the building," the university said.

"The crowd ultimately returned to the Quad before dispersing."

Video from CNN affiliate WSB shows some protesters using large posters to push into a line of police officers whose backs are against the doors of the building. As officers push back against the posters, one demonstrator chucks their sign at the row of officers.

Hours earlier, 28 people were arrested, including 20 Emory community members, according to Vice President for Public Safety Cheryl Elliott.

A CNN crew witnessed at least two professors detained by Atlanta police.

Elliott said that multiple dispersal orders were issued to the encampment telling them to leave because they were trespassing.   

Georgia State Patrol said they deployed a taser on one individual who actively resisted arrest when protesters were throwing bottles at officers and refusing to disperse. Elliott said that person was not a member of the Emory community. 

“During the encampment protest response, Troopers deployed pepper balls to control the unruly crowd but did not use tear gas,” Georgia State Patrol said.

Organizers of the demonstrations said the protesters will “continue the call for Emory University to completely divest from all programs enabling Israeli apartheid.”

They also called for “an end to the police's brutality and the immediate release of all activists arrested.”

“Despite the violence authorized by the Emory President Greg Fenves and Dean of Campus Life Enku Gelaye, protestors continue their action on campus and call for the broader Atlanta community to join them,” the organizers said.

Biden not planning to visit Columbia protests while in New York, campaign officials say

From CNN's MJ Lee

President Joe Biden will be in New York City on Friday, but White House and campaign officials said there have been no internal discussions about him visiting Columbia University.

Some demonstrators say the Biden administration is  complicit in the deaths of the many thousands of civilians in Gaza.

Groups of senior White House officials have traveled to cities with large Muslim and Arab populations in recent weeks to meet with local community leaders and hear their concerns — gatherings that have at times prompted calls for boycotts.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Tuesday that the White House was monitoring “closely” the protests on college campuses and that Biden takes seriously the conversations he has had with community leaders about the current “painful moment.”

What to know about the protests erupting on college campuses across the US

From CNN's Jordan Valinsky

Colleges across the country have erupted with pro-Palestinian protests, and school administrators are trying — and largely failing — to defuse the situation.

Several schools have called the police on protesters, leading to the arrests of hundreds across US campuses.

The recent surge in protests have inflamed tensions among students, forcing leadership to decide when free speech on campus crosses a line. The atmosphere was so charged that officials at Columbia – the epicenter of the protests that began last week – announced students can attend classes virtually starting Monday.

Passover, a major Jewish holiday, began this week, heightening fears among a number of Jewish students who have reported hearing antisemitic comments at some of the protests. The anxiety comes as reports of  antisemitic acts have surged  across America since October 7.

When did the protests start?

The situation  escalated last week  at Columbia University, where encampments were organized by  Columbia University Apartheid Divest , a student-led coalition of more than 100 organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, to protest what they describe as the university’s “continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and military occupation of Palestine,” according to its news release.

What are they asking for?

Columbia protesters say they won’t disperse until the school commits to a “complete divestment” of its funds from entities connected to Israel.

Other protesters are similarly calling on their campuses to divest from companies that sell weapons, construction equipment, technology services and other items to Israel.

Where else are protests happening?

Since last Thursday, there have been protests at several campuses, including the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology , University of Texas at Austin, University of Michigan,  University of New Mexico , University of California, Berkeley, Yale University , Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus .

Read more here.

Columbia University senate is redrafting resolution to admonish school's president, New York Times reports

From CNN's Rob Frehse

Columbia University’s faculty senate is expected to vote Friday on a resolution admonishing embattled school president Minouche Shafik over several of her recent decisions, including calling in police to clear a student encampment last week, the New York Times reports .

The resolution would allow the school senate to avoid a censure vote during a critical time for the school, the Times reports, citing several unnamed senators who attended a closed-door meeting Wednesday. Some feared a censure vote would be perceived as giving in to Republican lawmakers, according to the paper.

A Columbia University spokesperson confirmed Shafik’s closed-door meeting with the senate on Wednesday but would not comment on the resolution to CNN.

 “The President met with the Senate plenary in a closed-door session for close to an hour, giving remarks and taking questions. She reiterated the shared goal of restoring calm to campus so everyone can pursue their educational activities.” 

Some context: Shafik has faced immense criticism from some students, faculty and Democratic lawmakers for her decision to authorize police to break up pro-Palestinian student protests last week— a move that resulted in more than 100 arrests .

Other students, Jewish advocacy groups and Republican lawmakers are slamming Shafik for not cracking down on protests — which they say have included antisemitic rhetoric — both on campus and outside its gates.

Several Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have called for Shafik to resign.

CNN’s Maria Sole Campinoti contributed to this report.

Brown University says about 130 students violated school policy banning encampments

From CNN’s Isabel Rosales and Devon Sayers

Brown University has identified about 130 students who it alleges violated a school conduct code that forbids encampments on campus, a university spokesperson said.

The university's Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards has notified the students, who were identified through ID checks, spokesperson Brian Clark said in a release.

An encampment of about 90 people had formed on the school's Providence, Rhode Island campus Wednesday morning, according to Brown.

"Encampment on Brown University’s historic and residential greens is a violation of University policy, and participants in the encampment have been verbally informed of this fact and that they will face conduct proceedings,” the school's release said.

Students found responsible will be disciplined depending on their behavior and other factors, including any prior conduct violations, the university said, noting students could face probation or separation from the school.

33 people detained on Indiana University’s campus during protests, police say

From CNN’s Sara Smart

At least 33 people were detained on Indiana University’s campus Thursday following encampment protests.

The Indiana University Police and Indiana State Police said they warned the individuals protesting “numerous times” to remove their structures and they would be allowed to stay.

“Following their refusal to comply with university policy, the group was advised to leave the area,” the Indiana University Police Department said.

Officers gave a final warning at 3:46 p.m., and at 3:57 p.m., individuals who refused were detained and removed from the area.

Thirty-three people were taken to the Monroe County Justice Center and police continue to monitor ongoing activity on campus.

“Indiana University Bloomington is a campus where we encourage and respect free speech and open dialogue,” a university spokesperson said in a statement.

“To ensure the safety and security of the IU community and to avoid disruption of university operations, expressive activity must be conducted in accordance with university free speech and events policies. This includes the enforcement of policies that require advanced approval for the installation of temporary structures.”

Biden administration supports the right to protest peacefully, State Department says

From CNN's Michael Conte

A State Department spokesperson said Thursday that the Biden administration supports the right to protest peacefully.

“We, of course, support the right of anybody to peacefully protest, to demonstrate, to make their voices heard, to express themselves in a peaceful and nonviolent way,” said State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel at a press briefing.

When asked if the protesters' voices are reaching Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Patel said, “Absolutely.”

“But we're also not naive to the fact that when it comes to any of the foreign policy that we pursue, 100% of the population is not going to agree with what we're trying to accomplish,” said Patel.

Patel added that “harmful rhetoric, rhetoric whether it be rooted in antisemitism, Islamophobia, is incredibly problematic and needs to be condemned and called out.”

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