Where is it:
Off the north-west coast of Scotland, including the isles of Lewis and Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. Some are reachable by flight and/or ferry and others by causeways/bridges between the islands.
Why visit:
Experience a change of pace from modern city life and a more remote Scotland, with stunning landscapes around every corner. You’ll find barren, moonlike mountainous terrain, acres of peatland, wide-open sandy beaches with turquoise waters, and rolling farmland close to the sea. If getting away from it all is what you and your family love then the Outer Hebrides are exactly where you need to be.
Top things for families:
Start the adventure just getting to the islands, with a ferry ride or a flight that might land on a small airstrip or even the beach at Barra. Learn about the unique history of these isles at places like the living museum at the Gearrannan Black House Village on Lewis, and visit beautiful beaches that look like something straight out of the tropics but are often empty or with few other visitors
Major towns:
Stornoway: The main town on Lewis and the largest in the Outer Hebrides. Ferries arrive here from Ullapool on the mainland, but you can also fly into the airport.
Tarbert: Located at the southern end of Harris, with ferry links to the Isle of Skye and North Uist. Perfect for island-hopping! Close to Luskentyre Beach, named one of the most beautiful in the world.
Known for:
Harris Tweed: The Outer Hebrides are the home of Harris Tweed, one of Scotland’s most famous exports, which must be made from wool produced in Scotland and hand-woven into tweed in the homes of locals in the region.
Beautiful beaches: There are so many stunning beaches in the Outer Hebrides that would be totally crowded with people if they were anywhere else, but on these remote Scottish isles you’ll often find them to yourself! Check out Luskentyre, Seilebost, Vatersay, Tràigh Mhòr (where the planes land at Barra), and Berneray’s West Beach, just to name a few of the many!
Callanish Standing Stones: Arguably the most impressive standing stones in Scotland, the 5000-year-old stones are arranged in a cross shape. Visit the stones and the nearby visitor centre to learn more about their story.