The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in The Hebrides, Scotland

December 24, 2021 Osvaldo Hartline

This beautiful archipelago, where Scottish Gaelic is still spoken, is divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides and stretches the length of Scotland's west coast. The most visited and largest of the Western Isles is the brooding Isle of Skye, a short ferry ride or bridge away from the mainland. Islay, home to prolific whisky production, is another gem. Highlights of the less visited Outer Isles include stark Lewis and the town of Stornoway, rugged Harris, with sandy beaches and tranquil Barra.
Restaurants in The Hebrides

1. Black Cuillin

Scotland +44 1470 521206 [email protected] http://www.dunvegancastle.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 139 reviews

Black Cuillin

The Black Cuillin are a world famous range of mountains on the Isle of Skye. Mainly composed of basalt and gabbro, it is from the dark colour of the gabbro that the Black Cuillin derives its name. The summits of the Cuillin are bare rock, jagged in outline and with steep cliffs and deep cut corries and gullies. All twelve Munros on Skye are Black Cuillin peaks except for Blaven which belongs to a group of outliers separated from the main ridge by Glen Sligachan. The highest point of the Black Cuillin is Sgùrr Alasdair at 992m (3,255ft). At the heart of The Cuillin lies one of Britain's most famous corrie’s, Loch Coruisk, a deep and forbidding body of water. It has inspired countless artists such as William Turner and Sir Walter Scott who described them after his visit in 1814: ‘We were now under the western termination of the high mountains of Cuillin, whose weather-beaten and serrated peaks we had admired at a distance from Dunvegan. They sunk here upon the sea, but with the same bold and peremptory aspect which their distant appearance indicated. They seemed to consist of precipitous sheets of naked rock, down which torrents were leaping in a hundred lines of foam. The tops, apparently inaccessible to human foot, were rent and split into the most tremendous pinnacles: towards the base of these bare and precipitous crags the ground, enriched by the soil washed away from them, is verdant and productive.’

Reviewed By ChrisI545 - Glasgow, United Kingdom

Brooding in mist and cloud, absolutely stunning silhouette in winter evening sun. Confession. We didn’t walk up a Cuillin, just looked!

2. Quiraing

Quiraing Viewfield Road, Portree IV51 9ES Scotland
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2,779 reviews

Quiraing

These unique rock formations are a popular destination for hikers and climbers.

Reviewed By Gordi05 - Glasgow, United Kingdom

This area has appeared in many films an TV series, and when you see the view you can understand why. The area is easily reached, there’s a pay car park and a short walk to reach a viewpoint with stunning views (weather permitting) You can walk further if you’ve got the kit for walking in the Scottish Highlands.

3. Laphroaig Distillery

Laphroaig Distillery, Port Ellen PA42 7DU Scotland +44 1496 302418 [email protected] http://www.laphroaig.com/en/book-islay-distillery-tour
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,093 reviews

Laphroaig Distillery

For nearly 200 years a small team of dedicated islanders have worked here to create what is considered to be the most distinctive single malt in the world. Of course over time the people change, but our traditional methods, the ancient skills and absolute dedication to quality always remains. We would be proud if you make the journey to visit our home and you will be assured of the warmest of welcomes when you do.

Reviewed By nature-travel-12 - Leeds, United Kingdom

We had a great distillery tour! Very interesting. Lovely friendly and welcoming staff. A great range of choices in the gift shop! Extensive museum. Cosy ‘cafe’ area! A free small bottle for us as we arrived as ‘friends of laphroig’, another free ‘welcome whisky’ in the cafe before the tour, and 3 tasters after, all for the total price of £10! Amazing. We also enjoyed heading out to the field to place our ‘plot’ flag. All in all a great experience and we’d really recommend it!

4. Isle of Staffa

Scotland +44 7717 581405 http://www.nts.org.uk/staffa
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5.0 based on 461 reviews

Isle of Staffa

Reviewed By KennyMonaghan - Stevenston, United Kingdom

We arrived on Staffa in near perfect conditions, the place is a must see with the rock formations and the bird life, the added bonus for us was a pod of bottle nosed dolphins on our way to the island.

5. Isle of Kerrera

Oban, Argyll, PA34 4SX Scotland +44 7596 749014 http://www.visitkerrera.co.uk
Excellent
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5.0 based on 102 reviews

Isle of Kerrera

Reviewed By 0Pete_23 - Dartford, United Kingdom

The ferry to Kerrera is some 10 minute’s drive south out of Oban, parking is limited so ensure you arrive early. You have to pay to use the ferry and only cards are accepted. The ferry will run until all those waiting have been transferred. On disembarking we walked anti clockwise around the island, it did rain on a couple of occasions but on the whole, it was dry and on occasions the sun came out!! The walk is about 6 or 7 miles, on a variety of road farm track and muddy paths, with a steepish rise at one point, so wear good quality walking boots. Just over halfway round we stopped for our packed lunch at a beautiful spot overlooking the mainland. On our way back to the ferry we did a short diversion to Gylen Castle which is definitely worth a visit.

6. Trotternish Ridge

Scotland
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5.0 based on 72 reviews

Trotternish Ridge

7. Luskentyre

Luskentyre Beach Harris Scotland
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,055 reviews

Luskentyre

Reviewed By gillyy2014 - Norwich, United Kingdom

This is as close to heaven as you could get, it took my breath away so calming and peaceful.The white sand and crystal clear sea that just go on for miles and miles with the Harris hills as a backdrop it truely is a magical place

8. Loch Coruisk

Elgol IV47 8SW Scotland
Excellent
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5.0 based on 190 reviews

Loch Coruisk

Loch Coruisk (Gaelic Coire Uisg/the 'Cauldron of Waters') is an inland fresh-water loch lying at the foot of the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye. Loch Coruisk is reputed to be the home of a water horse. After staying at Dunvegan Castle, Sir Walter Scott visited the Cuillin and Loch Coruisk in 1814 and described it thus: 'Rarely human eye has known A scene so stern as that dread lake, With its dark ledge of barren stone...' The loch is accessible by boat from Elgol or on foot from Sligachan (approximately 7-8 miles distance). It is also possible to walk from Elgol, but one section of the path known as the 'Bad Step' presents some potential difficulties for the nervous or inexperienced walker. The northern end of the loch is ringed by the Black Cuillin, often wreathed in cloud. From the southern end the Scavaig River, only a few hundred yards long, discharges into a sea loch, Loch Scavaig. The loch is nearly two miles long, but only about 400 yards wide.

Reviewed By 389adriang

We took a tour with Misty Isle boat tours to Loch Coruisk and were not disappointed. Loch Coruisk is nestled in the Cullin hills with dramatic scenery all round along with some great wildlife sightings. Definate trip to take, especially in good weather

9. Machir Beach

Scotland
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5.0 based on 50 reviews

Machir Beach

Reviewed By 294mariay - Chester, United Kingdom

Beautiful beach - we were lucky enough to have a calm and sunny day and spent hours wandering around the rock pools and along the sand. Easy to access and decent parking with a bin. No toilets. Not suitable for swimming with appropriate warning signs to remind you .. however there are rock pools and shallower sections where you can at least get your feet wet. Don’t leave Islay without seeing this.

10. Three Distilleries Pathway

Lennox Street Scotland
Excellent
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5.0 based on 30 reviews

Three Distilleries Pathway

Reviewed By 0Pete_23 - Dartford, United Kingdom

Port Ellen to the Ardbeg Distillery a distance of about 6 miles in total there and back. Great views as you walk along the tarmac pathway mostly safely separated from the main road. The added bonus three distilleries on the way, or six if you stop on the way back as well……….

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