The Hebrides are those of the northwest coast Scotland offshore islands. The landscape is very diverse and ranges from the rugged Skyes mountains to the flat peatlands of the Uists.
Regions
The Hebrides are in Inner and Outer Hebrides differentiated. While the landscape of the Inner Hebrides is similar to that of mainland Scotland, the Outer Hebrides (as well as Coll and Tiree) have a different character. Flat moors with ponds and lime meadows (Machair) and sandy beaches towards the coast are typical.
The Inner Hebrides
- Rubbish. Less crowded than Skye (also because of high ferry costs for cars). Mountains that, in contrast to the Cuillins on Skye, can also be hiked for normal mortals. Nice beaches in the east (Calgary in the north or Fidden near Fionnphort). The main town Tobermory is a picturesque harbor town (typical postcard motif).
- Iona. Islet west of Mull. Known for its monastery, which is considered the cradle of Celtic Christianity. Shuttle ferry from Fionnphort (Mull) or package tours from Oban.
- Staffa. Uninhabited bird island just north of Iona. It is known for the basalt columns of "Fingal's Cave" (which Mendelssohn inspired for the Hebridean Overture). You can also see puffins. Excursion boats leave from Fionnphort or Ulva Ferry on Mull.
- Skye. Probably the best known (and largest) of the Hebridean Islands. The main town is Portree. The Cuillin massif in the south is the climbing garden par excellence for Scottish mountaineers. The Quiraing on the northern Trotternish peninsula is an interesting rock formation that is ideal for hiking even without special equipment. Moors dominate the interior of the island. Other attractions include Dunvegan Castle to the west and Talisker Distillery.
- The Small Islesrum, Eigg, Muck and canna, smaller islands south of Skye, each with double-digit populations.
- Tiree/Coll. Although geographically part of the Inner Hebrides, these islands share a similar landscape and culture to the Outer Hebrides. Remote beaches, hardly any traffic and hardly any tourists invite you to relax. However, hardly any overnight accommodation. To be reached by ferry from Oban (4h crossing).
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- Islay. The southernmost of the Hebridean Islands with eight whiskey distilleries and a view of Ireland.
The Outer Hebrides
Not as spectacular scenery as the rest of Scotland. But there are beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast (some with high waves). There is probably no better place in Scotland to relax. With the exception of Stornoway (Lewis) and Tarbert (Harris) there are no towns or villages, only individual farmsteads that are more or less close together. To be reached by ferry from Oban (Castlebay on Barra or Lochboisdale on South Uist - about 7h crossing), Uig on Skye (to Tarbert on Harris or Lochmaddy on North Uist - about 2h crossing) and Ullapool (to Stornoway on Lewis - 3h crossing).
- Barra / Vatersay. Castlebay, the main town of Barras, takes its name from the Kisimul Castle in the harbor, which is completely enclosed by the sea. Vatersay, as a smaller island, was connected to Barra by a dam. Vatersay has many sandy beaches, but the west and north coasts of Barras also have dunes and sandy beaches. Besides the Australian island of Fraser Island, Barra has the only airport where the beach is also the runway. The landing and take-off times of the planes depend on the tides, as the entire beach and thus also the runways are covered by the water during high tide.
- South Uist / North Uist / Benbecula. 80 km long chain of islands connected by road embankments. Nice beaches especially in the northwest. The interior of the island is a patchwork of peat bog and small ponds. Otherwise pretty windy wasteland.
- Harris. Harris and Lewis are actually one island, but since the mountains of Northern Harris have long been impenetrable, they are traditionally treated as two separate islands. Harris is the most mountainous of the Outer Hebrides, in the north the mountains reach over 800 m. Harris is known for the Harris Tweed, which here (as well as on Lewis) is often woven at home.
- Lewis. The coastal strip is almost exclusively inhabited. The interior of the island is peat bog. Well known is the prehistoric stone circle near Callanish in the west - the largest known stone formation of the megalithic culture on the British Isles.
background
language
In the Outer Hebrides as well as on Coll, Tiree and parts of Skye, Gaelic is still used as a lingua franca. But almost everyone understands English. Traffic signs are often bilingual, or in the Outer Hebrides only in Gaelic.
getting there
The Hebrides can be reached by boat, there is only a bridge to the Isle of Skye (road A87 from Kyle of Lochalsh). The ferry service is run by the company "Caledonian MacBrayneThe main port for the Inner Hebrides is Oban. The Small Isles are approached from Mallaig, from where there is also a ferry to Skye. The Outer Hebrides can be reached from Oban, Uig (on Skye) and Ullapool. Vehicles should be used Reservations must be made in advance, this is not necessary for foot passengers. Under the name "Hopscotch", Caledonian MacBrayne offers various combination tickets with which you can use several ferries in one round trip.
There are also flights to Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra from British Airways. Hebridean Air Services flies to Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Islay from Oban.
mobility
Inner Hebrides
Depends on the island. Skye and Mull have a good and reliable bus network.
Outer Hebrides
All ferries transport cars, but the transport is expensive and should be booked in advance (also possible for rental cars without specifying the model and registration number). There is a (theoretically well developed) bus network. Most buses do not run during the school holidays, however. Even outside of the holidays, the buses are not very reliable and only roughly stick to the timetables. No public transport on Sunday. Hitchhiking is widespread (even among locals) - people waiting at bus stops are also more likely to be picked up by cars than the bus.
Tourist Attractions
- Old man of Storr
- Callanish. Stone circles.
activities
Relaxing, cycling (little traffic but a lot of wind).
nightlife
security
Crime is practically unknown in the Hebridean Islands.
The greatest security risk is likely to be the lack of or severely delayed assistance in emergencies due to the remote location and limited possibilities of emergency calls.
telecommunications
The cellular network works on the islands of the Outer Hebrides. It is difficult to impossible in the mountains of Harris and remote areas. But there is also the good old phone booth or VoIP. Many B & B's offer WiFi.
