Scottish island hopping
holidays in the Outer Hebrides
At
the edge of Europe, with next landfall the Americas, you’ll
find
that the magical, mysterious Hebridean islands are an area of great
contrast.
The Outer
Hebrides
archipelago is mainly contained within a crescent shaped arc stretching
some 130 miles from south to north, at a distance from the Scottish
mainland that averages around 40 miles. There are at least 70 named
islands in the group, of which 15 are permanently populated - total
population around 26,500.
During
the course of a
Hebridean Hopscotch holiday, it's possible to visit all of the
populated islands by car - on the entire journey from Vatersay (which
adjoins Barra) in the south and Lewis in the north, it's necessary to
make only two ferry crossings, as all the other islands are linked by
causeways or bridges.
You'll find
more detailed
descriptions of the main populated islands by following the links at
the left of this page, but following is a brief outline.
Lewis (pop
18000) is the largest and
most northerly, with imposing sea-cliffs to the north east and the
west. There are magnificent beaches, especially to the north
and
west, some of which are excellent for surfing. Inland there
are
extensive areas of moorland, which rises to the dramatic Clisham
mountain range at the border between Lewis and Harris (which are
actually a single landmass).
The main town
of Stornoway
(population including local villages about 12,000) is the 'capital' of
the Hebrides and has shopping, hotels, restaurants and most other
facilities you would expect to find in a small county town. Outside
Stornoway, the villlages and townships are small - typically, towns
have a few hundred inhabitants amd villages less still.
 The
Isle of Harris (pop 2000)
is not actually a separate island to Lewis - the boundary between the
two runs over land between Loch Shiphoirt and Loch
Reasort.
Harris is a
mix of
mountainous terrain, rising to 799 metres close to its northenmost
point, and further rocky interior in the south. The west
coast
has some of the finest shell-sand beaches in the Outer Hebrides,
while the east coast has many inlets and
hamlets.
The only
townships of any size in Harris are Tarbert and Leverburgh.
There is a
one hour
crossing to the Uists on the ferry which winds its way through the many
outcrops in the shallow Sound of Harris.
 You
land at the idyllic island of Berneray (pop 135), which measures about
3 miles by 1.5 miles and is well worth exploring. Cross then
via
a causeway to North Uist (pop 1300) , a fertile island dotted with many
inland lochs and having sandy beaches on the west coast. The hills here
are more rolling and the RSPB maintains a reserve at Balranald. It's
often possible to see otters on the east coast. Main township
is
the ferry port of Lochmaddy.
Continuing by
causeway by
way of the tiny island of Grimsay to Benbecula (pop 1200), the land
becomes flatter. The green farmland is flanked by
machair
and shallow bays to the west and the main town, Balavanich, has an
airport with flights to/from Glasgow, Barra and Stornoway.
 As
you cross the causeway from Benbecula to South Uist (pop 1800), you
become aware of the land rising again down the spine of the island,
where the highest point is 620 metres. Virtually the entire
Atlantic coast is now boredered by machair and shell sand beaches.
Passing the ferry port of Lochboisdale, you arrive at the
south
coast with stunning views across the Sound of Barra, as you drive from
Polochar to Eriskay, the last island of this linked group. Eriskay is a
mass of wild flowers in late spring and summer. and was the location at
which the SS Politician sank, shedding much of its cargo of
whisky.
A further
ferry (40
minutes) takes you to Barra (pop 1100). This is another idyllic island,
which some say offers every aspect of the Outer Hebrides within its
7mile length by 3 mile width - you'll certainly find enchanting shell
beaches, machair, steep hillsides, historic features and charming,
hospitable people.
 Skye
may be reached by ferry from Tarbert or from
Lochmaddy (North
Uist), depending on your direction of travel through the Hebrides.
Quite different to any of the Outer Hebridean
islands, Skye is very
mountainous, with several peaks up to almost 1000 metres.
There are
considerably more forested areas, so the area more closely resembles
the Highlands. Much of the coastline includes towering cliffs, though
there are a number of sandy beaches. Accessible from the
mainland by
ferry from Mallaig or via the Skye bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, you
can start or finish a Hebridean Hopscotch holiday in Skye, or visit
en-route through the Outer Hebrides.
Read more about Lewis
>>>
Read more about Harris
>>>
Read more about Skye
>>>
Read more about The Uists
>>>
Read more about Barra
>>>
Art
- Birdwatching - Boat Trips - Ceilidhs - Crafts - Culture - Cycling -
Dining Out - Fishing - Golf - Guided Tours - History - Just sitting,
admiring the view - Music - Nature Reserves - Photography - Pony
Trekking - Swiss Ball - Tennis - Theatre - Touring - Walking - Whisky
tasting - Wildlife - Yoga
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