Outer Hebrides

Pros: Devoid of tourists; rugged northern landscapes; endless beaches; Callanish
Cons: Cost of getting there

Despite its large population and relatively small territory, there are still a few corners in Europe ...

Pros: Peace, Tranquility, People, Scenery.
Cons: LOUSY weather (take a raincoat)

My late mother was born and bred in Caverstay, a small hamlet about 15 miles south of Stornoway, the main town of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
The people from the Hebrides are an ancient and proud race, being descended from a mixture of Celts and...

Pros: Quiet, peaceful edge of the world.
Cons: Good auld Scottish weather - bring a raincoat!

Scarasta Beach on the Island of Harris and Lewis is one of the most inspiring places I have ever visited. With it's white sands and the most amazing color of water, Scarasta is surrounded by peat bogs and distant mountains. Indeed, your view of the...

Pros: Breathtaking, moving, inspirational, lonely
Cons: Challenges transportation logistics

I visited the Outer Hebrides as a student at the University of Glasgow and again on my honeymoon. Many words have been used to describe this lonely fringe of the world: lonely, bleak, stark, peaceful...they are all true, but the fact is that words are...

Pros: Incredible beauty, wonderful people
Cons: Be prepared to meander a bit; signs not always clear

We were on our honeymoon with some time before we caught our plane in Edinburgh. We had a little extra pocket money from well-wishers, and so we went to the Isles of Harris and Lewis, taking the ferry from Uig on Skye. I cannot begin to describe what an...

Pros: Beautiful scenery, hospitable people, and a great air. What else is there?
Cons: I can't go back every year...

Stornoway, nestled on the Isle of Lewis in Northern Scotland is a true gem. I have lived in Canada for some twenty six years now, and every time I visit Stornoway, I feel at home. My father immigrated to Canada from this town, and when we return to my ...

Pros: Empty beaches, plenty of wind, great kitesurfing. Friendly people and not many tourists.
Cons: No shower facilities at the beaches (but then what would you expect?)

Empty beaches, crystal clear water, lagoons and waves. The Outer Hebrides was always somewhere on my list of places to visit. The opportunity finally came when I was put in touch with the Western Isles Kite Co. who promote kiting on the islands. I have been a keen kite surfer for some time and decided to take the plunge and make the effort to visit. I was not disappointed!
I spent a week on Lewis in September and kited 6 days out of 7. Best kite surfing holiday I have had. The B & B was like a home from home. The advice I was given as to where to go and the equipment on offer was superb.
I will certainly be there again in May for the kite festival, and to buy some kites.
Many thank to David & Fiona from www.extremehebrides.co.uk for the great trip.