The Outer Hebrides, also Western Isles called, are the scottish West coast offshore islands. The islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean about 60 km from the mainland. They describe an arc from the Butt of Lewis in the north to Barra Head in the south. The entire chain is approx. 208 km long.
Regions
In addition to numerous uninhabited islands, there are the following inhabited archipelagos, which are connected by bridges or dams:
- Lewis and Harris (actually a single island) with
- Great Bernerato be reached via a bridge from Lewis (west coast)
- Scalpay (Outer Hebrides)to be reached via a bridge from Harris (east coast)
- the Uist archipelago (Gaelic: Uibhist):
- Berneray
- North Uist
- Grimsay
- Benbecula:
- South Uist
- Eriskay
places
- Stornoway (Lewis) - By far the largest town in the Outer Hebrides and the capital of the islands. Even today, Stornoway is an important fishing port. There is a small shopping street, restaurants / cafés, hotels, two large supermarkets, a petrol station and the tourist information office.
- Tarbert - The main port and "capital" of the Harris part of the island. There are a few shops, restaurants / cafes, hotels and the tourist information office.
- Castlebay - The largest town on Barra is dominated by the castle and church on the hill. There are a few shops, a large supermarket, a petrol station, cafes and the tourist information office.
Other goals
- St. Kilda - The archipelago, the four largest islands of which are Hirta, Soay, Boreray and Dun, is about 64 km off North Uist in the North Atlantic. The archipelago has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Day tours start in Leverburgh, Harris (Kilda Cruises).
background
history
The first inhabitants of the Western Isles were Mesolithic hunters and gatherers. The first traces of human settlement are the menhirs and cairn graves of the Neolithic farmers and the remains of their dwellings. In contrast to the wooden structures on the mainland, those on the islands are made of stone. The ruins of the small round houses date from the Bronze Age (2,000 BC to 700 BC). Finds from this period are sparse as the climate changed and parts of the once farmed land became covered in sand and peat. During the Iron Age, larger round houses were built, often on small islands that could be reached via a dam (so-called crannog's) or directly on the coast. Around 600 BC The first brochures came into being.
In the late 6th century the influence of the Irish saint St. Columba made itself felt and Christian communities emerged. The ruins of the oldest chapel (late 7th or early 8th century) are on the island of Rona.
In the late 8th century the Vikings attacked the people of the Hebrides and took power for a long time. Some place names are derived from the names of this time. The most important finds from this era are the Lewis Chessmen. The chess pieces come from Norway and were made from walrus tusks in the 12th century. They were discovered in 1831 and can now be seen in the British Museum, London and the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Even when the Kingdom of Scotland was formed in the late 9th century, the Hebrides remained under the control of the Vikings. It was not until 1156 that power over the southern Hebrides fell to Scotland through marriage. Until 1266, when the Hebrides passed through the Treaty of Perth were handed over to Scotland, the loyalty of the princes was divided.
Flora and fauna
Many different wildflowers grow on the coasts, and something is always blooming from May to September. July is the best month to enjoy the bloom of the Machair (fertile soil near the coast, which consists of shell sediments and organic elements such as peat). Sometimes up to 40 different species grow on the meadows, including the red carnation, goose cinquefoil, beach carnations and beach asters. In the hinterland grow gorse, common sorrel and various orchids, while water lilies and yellow irises grow in and around some lochs. Cotton grass and heather thrive in the moors.
The Outer Hebrides are home to countless seabirds, some of which live in large colonies on the inaccessible, uninhabited islands. Birds that breed here include the puffin, gannet, razorbill and arctic tern. The moors, marshes and lochs are the habitat of waders and wild birds, e.g. gray herons, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, swans, ducks and black-throated divers.
Seals and seals live in the waters around the islands. With luck you can spot otters, whales and dolphins.
religion
On Lewis and Harris, who are strongly influenced by the Protestant, conservative free churches, the Sabbath is celebrated on Sundays. Public life has come to a standstill: sights, supermarkets and many restaurants / cafes are closed. Playgrounds may not be used. In contrast, the Uists, Benbecula and Barra are dominated by Catholics. Sights and restaurants / cafes are open.
language
The street signs are mostly bilingual in Gaelic and English, sometimes only in Gaelic on smaller streets. The proportion of people who speak Gaelic is very high so that the common language is a mixture of Gaelic and English. English is spoken with the hard Scottish accent.
getting there
By plane
The three airports in the Outer Hebrides are:
- Airport Barra. Served twice a day from Glasgow.
- Airport Benbecula. Served from Glasgow and Stornoway.
- Airport Stornoway. Serves from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Benbecula.
Arrival via Glasgow and Edinburgh see the respective city articles.
By boat
There are the following connections, all of Caledonian / MacBraine operate:
From the mainland:
About the Isle of Skye:
- Uig to Lochmadday (North Uist)
- Uig to Tarbert (Harris)
In the street
- Glasgow (Paisley) to Oban
- Distance about 144 km
- From the airport via the M8 and A898 to Erskine Bridge, then follow the A82 to Crianlarich, turn onto the A85 and follow it to Oban.
- Glasgow (Paisley) to Uig (Isle of Skye)
- Distance approx. 360 km
- From the airport via the M8 and A898 to Erskine Bridge, then the A82 to Crianlarich. Continue on the A82 to Invergarry, here left onto the A87 and then via Kyle of Lochalsh, the Skye Bridge, Sconser and Portree to Uig.
- In the article Isle of Skye there is a detailed description of how to get to the island
By bus
- Citylink provides a connection from Glasgow to Portree (Isle of Skye). From Portree on to Uig. The bus is coordinated with the departure of the ferry.
- There is a possibility of Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) to Castlebay (Barra) with Fines Driving the Western Isles Overland Route. The buses are coordinated with the departure of the ferry.
mobility
A combination of your own vehicle and walking is best. Some sights can only be reached on foot, and the nearest bus stops are sometimes far away.
If you are traveling with your own car, you have to expect oncoming traffic when driving on the narrow and sometimes winding roads, always avoiding to the left. If you wait at one of the passing places, you can indicate this by briefly flashing to the left. Do not use the Passing Place as a parking lot. You always have to expect animals, especially sheep, on the street.
The islands among each other are by company ferries CaledoninanMacBrayne, Bridges or dams connected.
Bus connections:
- Western Isles Bus Service Timetables Routes in all the islands of the Outer Hebrides
- Most lines are served Monday through Saturday.
Tourist Attractions
Lewis
- Black House Museum, Amol. Traditional Western Isles home. It was built around 1885 and was inhabited until 1965.
- Black House Village, Gerrannan. The village consists of 9 reconstructed thatched traditional cottages. There is, among other things, a museum.
- Butt of Lewis. The northernmost point of the Hebrides with spectacular cliffs and a lighthouse.
- Callanish Stones. The imposing megalithic cult site was built between 3000 and 1500 BC. From the bird's eye view one recognizes the cross shape. In addition to the main Callanish I facility, there are 11 other sites in the area.
- Clach an Truiseil (Stone of Compassion), Ballantrushal. The tallest menhir in Scotland at 5.70 m.
- Dun Carloway Broch. The well-preserved residential tower dates from the 1st century BC. The east wall reaches a height of 9 m.
- Norse Mill & Kiln, Shawbost. Restored traditional watermill with kiln.
- Steinacleit, Siadar. Archaeological site with a beautiful view of Loch an Dùin, the sea and the moor.
- Uig Sands. Extensive sandy beach.
Harris
- Church of St. Clement, toboggan. The only well-preserved medieval (16th century) building in the Outer Hebrides. The clan chiefs of the MacLeods were buried here.
- Golden Road. The single lane road meanders along the east coast of the island and passes through a few tiny towns. The landscape is rocky and hilly, with lochs and moors in between. Nice views of the sea.
Great Bernera
- Bostadh Iron Age House. The house - half original, half reconstruction - offers an insight into life in the Iron Age.
- Cleitir Standing Stone (Callanish VIII). The four menhirs stand on a cliff above the bridge that connects Lewis with Great Bernera.
- Dun Baravat. The ruins of the Broch stand on a small island in Loch Baravat.
- Norse Mill. Traditional island watermill, on the shores of Loch Riosaigh.
North Uist
- Barpa Langass Chambered Cairn (Stone Mound). The best preserved chamber tomb in the Outer Hebrides. It dates from the Neolithic.
- Pobull Fhin Stone Circle (also Ben Langass). The stone circle offers a beautiful view over the landscape at Loch Langass.
- Teampull na Trionaid (Trinity Church). Church ruins from the 13th century
Benbecula
- Borve Castle. Ruins of a residential tower from the 14th century.
- Culla Bay. Nice sandy beach.
South Uist
Barra
- Barra Airport. One of only two airports in the world whose runway is the beach.
- Cille Bharra. In the cemetery of Eoligarry there is a medieval church (the roof is modern) and the ruins of two chapels from the same period.
- Kisimul Castle. The medieval castle is located on a small island in the bay in front of Castlebay.
activities
kitchen
nightlife
security
climate
Despite the rather low temperatures on average, it is quite mild on the Western Isles because of the Gulf Stream. The driest time is between May and August. The wind is a constant companion and there is often a cool breeze even on warm days.
