Islands Archives | Out About Scotland

Isle of Mingulay Visitor Guide

Craig Neil August 28, 20231109 Views Islands 17 min read

Discover the untamed beauty and rich history of the Isle of Mingulay. Once inhabited but now reclaimed by nature, this remote island offers breathtaking landscapes and a wealth of wildlife that make it an essential destination for any visitor to the Outer Hebrides.

From the towering sea cliffs teeming with seabirds to the remnants of a once bustling village, Mingulay has a multitude of memorable sights waiting to be uncovered. In this article, we’ll take a look at every aspect of this remarkable island including how to get there and what to expect during a visit.

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Isle of Lewis Visitor Guide

Craig Neil October 26, 20222080 Views Islands 17 min read

The Isle of Lewis is the northern half of Lewis and Harris which is the northernmost island in the Outer Hebrides.

Lewis covers an area of 683 square miles and has a landscape that’s much flatter than Harris, mostly comprising moorland surrounded by a rocky and sparsely populated coastline.

Visitors to Lewis will find some of the best attractions in the Western Isles including the Callanish standing stones, the town of Stornoway, North and South Lochs and the Gearrannan Blackhouses.

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Isle of North Uist Visitor Guide

Craig Neil October 17, 20221592 Views Islands 17 min read

North Uist is an island in the Outer Hebrides, situated between the islands of Benbecula and Harris.

At 117 square miles it is the 10th-largest island in Scotland and has a population of around 1,300 people, most of whom are employed in the fishing and crofting industries.

The island is well known for its rugged coastline which is home to a wide variety of birds including corncrakes, terns and gannets as well as hen harriers and peregrines.

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Isle of Harris Visitor Guide

Craig Neil October 16, 20222173 Views Islands 19 min read

The Isle of Harris is situated in the Outer Hebrides where it borders the Isle of Lewis on its northern side and faces the isle of North Uist to the south.

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland’s Western Isles, primarily because it’s home to some of the best beaches in the country and features a wild and rugged coastline that’s second to none for wildlife.

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Isle of South Uist Visitor Guide

Craig Neil October 9, 20221446 Views Islands 18 min read

At 124 square miles, South Uist is the second-largest island in the Outer Hebrides, yet it’s home to less than 2,000 people.

Visitors to the island will quickly find themselves lost in a hauntingly beautiful landscape where nature thrives across mile after mile of white powder beaches to the west and thickets of purple heather to the east.

The island is also home to many of Scotland’s most iconic animals such as the elusive corncrake and sea eagle as well as red deer which roam South Uist’s windswept uplands.

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Isle of Barra Visitor Guide

Craig Neil October 7, 20222092 Views Islands 20 min read

The 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 undoubtedly one of the most interesting thanks to an array of attractions that include the fabulous Traigh Mhor beach – home of the world’s only beach commercial airfield – and Kisimul Castle which is situated on a small outcrop in the middle of Castlebay harbour.

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Isle of Benbecula Visitor Guide

Craig Neil August 9, 20221251 Views Islands 17 min read

The 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 yet quiet beaches on its western side.

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Isle of Vatersay Visitor Guide

Craig Neil August 7, 20221379 Views Islands 15 min read

The Isle of Vatersay is the most southerly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides with a population of around 90 permanent residents.

Vatersay is best known for its two half-mile white sand beaches – Traigh Shiar and Traigh a Bhaigh – that are set within shallow bays in the middle of the island.

The island is easily reached from the Isle of Barra by a causeway near Barra’s largest settlement Castlebay.