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Introducing the Outer Hebrides of Scotland

by: DonaldMacDonald
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Scotland has, since Victorian times, been a popular vacation destination for many. The most adventurous tourists enjoy visiting the most remote parts of the country and few places are as remote as the Outer Hebrides. Found far off the West coast of Scotland the Outer Hebrides have become extremely popular with tourists for a multitude of reasons some of which are outlined below.

The Outer Hebrides are really on the periphery of Europe as they are really rather remote set further out than the Isle of Skye, separated by the somewhat dangerous area of sea known as the Minch. Out in the Atlantic ocean the islands have been dramatically shaped by the pounding waves and powerful winds (that occur during the winter months) the landscape is incredibly unique. Throughout the islands there are many archaeological sites of extreme interest to archaeologists and visitors alike.

It would sometimes seem that there are archaeological discoveries made every year in the Outer Hebrides. While this is something of an exaggeration it is pretty close to the truth as the islands are dotted with numerous examples of ancient homesteads, ruins, burial chambers, stone age monuments and iron age forts and houses. The most famous site is the incredible stone circle, or standing stones, of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis (also know and the Callanish Standing Stones).

The Outer Hebrides are also home to some rather unique flora and fauna which, in many cases, is extremely rare and in some endangered. One of the most interesting types of ground found in the Outer Hebrides is that which is called machair. Machair is a patch of coastal ground just in from a beach which is continually dusted with fine shell sand which is nutrient rich. During the spring and summer months the machair is awash with bountiful and colorful wild flowers and, sadly, large numbers of rabbits.

If you have heard that the inner parts of the Outer Hebrides are barren and boring this is just not true. While much of the land of the Isle of Lewis is little more than open moorland it does contain a large number of lochs and the other islands have extremely interesting interiors. However it has to be said that it is along the coasts that the most interesting landscapes are to be found. This is especially so along the west coast which has numerous sandy beaches of excellence.

The beaches of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland are amongst the finest to be found in the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. They are to be found all along the west coast (the east coast is mainly rocky inlets) with the vast majority found along the south west coasts of Lewis and Harris and along the west coast of South Uist.

With such a dramatic coastline, superb sandy beaches and Atlantic winds, it is little wonder that the Outer Hebrides are a superb vacation destination for those who like to indulge in sports such as surfing, wind surfing, wind carting and the likes. The islands of the Outer Hebrides are also incredibly popular for many other sports, the most obvious being running, rambling, hill walking, mountaineering and cycling. Of course there are also superb golf courses and, not least, some of the finest fishing in Scotland.

If you are interested in visiting the islands of the Outer Hebrides you will be pleased to know that the transport links and the accommodation available are excellent. It is possible to get flights to Barra and the Isle of Lewis (Stornoway) but most folk travel to the islands by ferry from a number of ports. Accommodation is always of the highest standards and hospitality is world renowned.