The Hebrides
The Hebrides, a vast archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, is a captivating destination for any sightseer.
Comprising the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the region is home to an array of islands that each possesses its own distinct charm and attractions, from the whisky of islay to the windswept grasslands of Lewis.
Geographically, the Hebrides lies in the North Atlantic Ocean where it’s divided into the Inner Hebrides, closer to the mainland, and the Outer Hebrides, further west.
The Inner Hebrides includes Skye (Scotland’s single largest island), Mull, Islay, and Jura, among others, while the Outer Hebrides consists of a chain of islands stretching over 130 miles that includes Lewis and Harris at its northernmost point moving south to North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra.
The landscape of the Hebrides is a mesmerizing blend of remote mountain peaks, rolling peatlands, flower-covered machair (a rare coastal grassland), and pristine white sand beaches that contrast dramatically with the azure waters of the Atlantic, especially in the Outer Hebrides which boasts beaches like Luskentyre – frequently voted one of the world’s most scenic places.
Many of the Hebrides’ towns and villages are steeped in history and tradition. Portree, the largest town on Skye, boasts a picturesque harbour that’s equally used by fishing and tour boats while Tobermory on Mull, with its colourful waterfront buildings, is famed for its boutique shops and fresh seafood.
Stornoway – by far the largest town in the entire Hebrides – offers a blend of Gaelic culture and history as well as a pretty harbour and attractions like Lews Castle, plus it’s the home of Stornoway black pudding – a delicious savoury treat that simply has to be tried while visiting the town.
When it comes to tourist attractions, the Hebrides offers such a vast assortment that it would be almost impossible to see them all in an entire lifetime.
On Skye, the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Fairy Pools offer breathtaking hikes, while the historic Dunvegan Castle provides a glimpse into the island’s past.
On Islay, whisky enthusiasts can taste some of Scotland’s finest spirits on a number of tasting tours before heading to beautiful locations like the Oa peninsula, the 5-mile Strand beach, and the gobsmacking Loch Gruinart (visit when the tide’s out for the best views).
Meanwhile, the Outer Hebrides is home to the prehistoric Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis, mile after mile of golden beaches on South Uist, and unique oddities like Traigh Mhor on Barra – the world’s only beach airfield.
The Hebrides also boast a wealth of cultural attractions including traditional music festivals, crofting museums, and opportunities to learn about Gaelic language and culture. The islands are also renowned for their local produce with seafood, lamb, venison, and of course, whisky, being highlights.
From hiking in the mountains, exploring historic buildings, sampling local produce, or simply soaking in the breathtaking landscapes, a trip to the Hebrides is a journey of discovery that’s guaranteed to leave all visitors captivated.
Find places to visit and things to do in the Hebrides with these visitor guides.
Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum Visitor Guide
Tag: CastlesArmadale Castle on the Isle of Skye is one of the island’s most-visited tourist attractions. Visitors can explore extensive grounds that feature an arboretum, landscaped gardens, woodland walks and a children’s play park, as well as the castle ruins and a fascinating museum.
Arnol Blackhouse Visitor Guide
The Arnol Blackhouse on the Isle of Lewis is a fine example of one of the traditional thatched stone-walled houses that served as home to both people and animals on Scotland’s west coast islands for hundreds of years. The restored building at Arnol – number 42 – sits in an idyllic setting on Lewis, surrounded…
Beaches on Tiree Visitor Guide
Tiree enjoys the highest number of sunshine hours in the UK, and the beaches are some of the cleanest and most secluded in Britain. The island’s coastline is 36 miles in total so there are lots of places to enjoy watersports, and there are also superb festivals to attend on some of the beaches including…
Beinn Mhartainn, Barra Visitor Guide
Tag: Trails & RoutesThere are many walking trails on Barra, but one of the best takes visitors around Beinn Mhartainn hill on the west side of the island, past the villages of Craigston and Allasdale and through windswept stretches of moorland that are home to golden eagles. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, this walking…
Ben More Visitor Guide
Tag: Mountains & HillsWith a peak of 966 metres (3,169 feet), Ben More is the highest mountain on the Isle of Mull. The mountain is located on the shores of Loch na Keal and Loch Beg where it offers spectacular views from two very different approaches on the north and south sides. Discover everything you need to know…
Boreraig Clearance Village Visitor Guide
The remains of long-abandoned villages can be seen all over the Isle of Skye, but Boreraig – situated 4 1/2 miles south of Broadford – is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful. Visiting Boreraig takes walkers on a 9-mile circular trail from Broadford to the shore of Loch Eishort, across heather-covered moorland on a rough path…
Callanish Standing Stones Visitor Guide
The Callanish Standing Stones are located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. These huge granite stones (the largest is 16 feet tall) were erected 5,000 years ago in the late Neolithic era, possibly for ritual use. The site comprises a cross shape of monoliths around a central circle of 13…
Carsaig Arches Visitor Guide
The Carsaig Arches are located on the south side of the Isle of Mull. From Carsaig Pier it takes around 6 hours to walk the 8-mile return route which is very difficult due to the boulder-strewn coastline that has no obvious path. Walking the coastline is worth every bit of the effort involved though, not…
Castlebay Visitor Guide
Tag: Towns & VillagesCastlebay is the main settlement on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. The village is a popular tourist destination, but it is perhaps best known for the ferry terminal which provides links to Oban on the mainland and the isles of Tiree and South Uist. Castlebay is a good base to explore Barra…
Duart Bay, Mull Visitor Guide
Duart Bay is a picturesque spot on the Isle of Mull, one of the largest islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The bay is a serene location, offering breathtaking views of the Sound of Mull and nearby islands, and it’s a great place for wildlife spotting as you can often see a variety of…
Duart Castle Visitor Guide
Tag: CastlesFor 700 years Duart Castle has dominated the Sound of Mull on the Isle of Mull, where its mighty curtain walls have defended the seat of Clan Maclean. The castle is located on a peninsula on the southeast of the island where it welcomes visitors with facilities including knowledgeable tour guides, nature walks, a café,…
Fairy Glen, Skye Visitor Guide
The Fairy Glen is an ethereal, bizarre-looking landscape located on the west side of Trotternish on the Isle of Skye. This geological wonder comprises a number of conical hills that look man made but are, in fact, remnants of an ancient landslip similar to the equally captivating Quiraing.
Finlaggan Visitor Guide
Finlaggan is the former home of Scotland’s ‘Lord of the Isles’ which is located a few miles southwest of Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay. Access to Finlaggan is via a wooden walkway that leads from the visitor centre to a small island where tourists will discover a number of standing stones, graves, and…
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village Visitor Guide
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village lies on the southwest edge of the Isle of Lewis, set within a deep cove that offers protection against the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The village comprises a number of restored blackhouses – traditional thatched stone-walled dwellings that served as home to both animals and people for hundreds of years.
Gott Bay, Tiree Visitor Guide
One of the most stunning beaches in all of Scotland is Gott Bay which can be found on the Inner Hebrides island of Tiree. With its beautiful turquoise sea and powder white beach it’s no surprise that this bay attracts thousands of visitors each year, and in fact, it’s often cited as one of the…
Heaval, Barra Visitor Guide
Tag: Mountains & HillsStanding at 383 metres, Heaval’s summit offers panoramic views like no other. But this breathtaking spectacle isn’t the only thing that makes Heaval a must-visit spot on Barra. The climb up Heaval offers photo opportunities galore, and as it’s so close to the village of Castlebay it’s easy to combine a visit to both tourist…
Hushinish Visitor Guide
Hushinish is a remote region of the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is accessed via a twisting 12-mile single-track road on the southwest of the island which presents stunning views of South Harris and the island of Taransay. Once at Hushinish, visitors can enjoy a white sand beach surrounded by…
Iona Abbey Visitor Guide
Iona Abbey – located on the Isle of Iona on the far south-west corner of Mull – was founded by St. Columba in AD 563. The abbey is one of Europe’s oldest sites of worship and was an important burial site for Scottish royalty after the Scottish Reformation. Today, Iona is a popular tourist destination…
Islands in Scotland: Find Your Perfect Summer Getaway
With the recent increase in staycations, many Britons are now flocking to Scotland’s west coast islands for their summer holidays. Many of these islands are pretty much untouched by tourists yet boast some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and its most abundant wildlife. In this article, you’ll find a selection of stunning Scottish islands…
Isle of Barra A888 Ring Road Visitor Guide
Tag: Trails & RoutesThe A888 ring road encircles the Isle of Barra and offers an easily accessible gateway to the stunning landscapes that make Barra a haven for cycling and walking enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey around this road to explore both its western side (best known for being part of the Hebridean Way)…
Isle of Barra Visitor Guide
Tag: IslandsThe Isle of Barra is located on the southernmost point of the Outer Hebrides where it joins the Isle of Vatersay on its southern edge and faces the island of South Uist on its northern side. At only 23 square miles in total area, Barra isn’t exactly the largest island in the Hebrides but it’s…
Isle of Benbecula Visitor Guide
Tag: IslandsThe Isle of Benbecula is located between the islands of North and South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Due to its location, Benbecula is an ideal base to explore the Uists but it has a number of attractions of its own including Reuval (the solitary hill in the middle of the island), and several large…
Isle of Coll Visitor Guide
Tag: IslandsThe Isle of Coll lies on the edge of Scotland’s west coast, directly north of Tiree and west of Mull. This stunningly pretty island is surrounded by miles of pristine golden beaches and has vast swathes of unspoilt countryside at its centre. Coll is also pleasingly free of tourism, making a visit to this gem…
Isle of Eigg Visitor Guide
Tag: IslandsThe small but beautiful Isle of Eigg is part of the Small Isles chain which lies 10 miles (16.09 km) off Scotland’s west coast next to the Morar Peninsula. Access is via a one-hour ferry from the port village of Mallaig on the mainland, which makes it ideal for day trippers, especially cyclists who can…
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