Holidays in The Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides is a long chain of islands running down the West Coast of Scotland. Also known as the Western Isles or the Long Island, there are 15 inhabited islands in the archipelago and over 50 uninhabited islands.
Lewis and Harris make up the most northerly and largest island in the group – indeed it is the largest island in the British Isles after Great Britain and Ireland. Lewis, an area of rolling heather moorland, occupies the northern two thirds of the island, while the more mountainous and rugged Harris occupies the remainder to the south.
Next comes a line of three main islands, all linked by causeways: North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist, known collectively as The Uists, and finally, the last island in the group, Barra.
Generally speaking, the east coasts tend to be rocky, bare and serrated and lined with numerous bays and inlets, crofting townships and some stunning beaches. In between you will find isolated lochs and rivers - perfect for fishermen, while the west coasts are lined with long beaches and sand dunes, and are much more fertile, the wind having blown the shell sand up onto the moor where it has neutralised the acid soils to create flower-rich meadows ideal for grazing and growing crops. This is called machair and is a good place to see birds and enjoy some lovely walks.
As with the Highlands & Islands as a whole, the population is centred largely on the coast, though mainly on the more sheltered east coast where anchorages are safer. The sea has always played an important role in the lives of Hebrideans.
Just under 8,000 of the Outer Hebrides’ 26,500 people live in Stornoway on Lewis’s east coast. Reached by ferry in 2¾ hours from Ullapool, or by air from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, Stornoway has a wide range of shops, a fascinating active working harbour, and a vibrant social life.
Tarbert is the largest village and main ferry port in Harris, served by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Uig on the Isle of Skye, and is situated on the east coast side of the narrow isthmus. It has a range of small shops and a hotel and a small but vibrant community. From Leverburgh in the south of Harris you can catch the small ferry to North Uist and then drive down to Lochboisdale in South Uist from where you can catch another ferry to Barra.
In addition to enjoying some spectacular coastal, beach and inland walks, you can hill walking, play golf (there are 5 courses), fish for trout, salmon and sea fish, cycle, mountain bike and sea kayak. You can also enjoy the local wildlife and the Isles’ fascinating archaeology, history and culture - including some great cultural events - or you can just relax and soak up the atmosphere.
The Outer Hebrides is a place for people who want to escape the rat race and unwind amidst beautiful scenery and traditional, Gaelic-speaking communities on the edge of the World
• A wild, romantic, wind-swept and inspirational landscape.
• Warm, welcoming and very traditional Gaelic-speaking communities.
• Fascinating wildlife and archaeological and historic monuments and great walking, fishing, cycling, golf, kayaking and more.
