Top Things to do in The Hebrides
What to do and see in The Hebrides, Scotland: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Isle of Kerrera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
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.
2. Trotternish Ridge
3. Luskentyre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,055 reviews
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
4. Uig Sands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The whole area around the extensive Uig Sands is a must visit on any trip to Lewis.An hour or so from Stornoway but definitely Lewis's most beautiful area (along with Mangersta and Reef.) In fact this must be one of the most impressive areas in the whole of the Outer Isles. We were lucky in that the sun shone and we walked from the car park, for 20 mins to a particularly deserted part of the Uig sands (you could walk for miles all round the little bays and headlands) and had a picnic. Paradise. Beautiful pink/orange rock of the type I've seen on Iona were a gorgeous backdrop to the turquoise seas and white sands. There is a free (donation) area behind the main part of the beach, set back from the dunes, where wild camping is allowed supported by public toilets/showers. A replica large Lewis Chessman is passed while heading to the parking. Luskentyre is still to me the most beautiful area of all (and in any weather given the colours and rock/moorland there) but Uig is stunning also.
5. Isle of Tiree
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By U9404MMjasminec
Lovely family who run the business, always happy to help and equip us! Hired wetsuits for the full 2 weeks of our stay in Tiree and booked x4 blocks of surf lessons for the fortnight! Will be returning to them when we are next here.
6. Machir Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
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.
7. Duart Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
For over 700 years, Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean, has dominated the view to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe with its huge curtain walls and solid keep. Tour the Castle, explore the grounds and learn more about the Clan. Enjoy the ancient Keep, ghostly Dungeons, magnificent Banqueting Hall, quaint Edwardian State Rooms and breathtaking views from the Battlements. Duart Castle was featured in a number of Hollywood films such as Sean Connery's, Entrapment (1999), "When Eight Bells Toll" (1971) with Antony Hopkins and "I Know Where I'm Going" (1945). The Castle is open from April through to October every year and hosts a number of Weddings and Events throughout the summer months such as Outdoor Theatre, Military Re-enactments, Music, Storytelling, Birds of Prey and Scottish Pipers and Highland Dancers. Travel to Mull via the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish or from Oban to Craignure. Duart Castle is a 10 minute drive from Craignure.
Reviewed By 441sandym
Great to be back at Duart Castle,i have been here many times,a lot of scaffolding around the castle,but it is needed for the renovation work going on at the castle it's looking great,really love it here,well worth a visit
8. Fairy Glen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,222 reviews
The Fairy Glen is a unique and unusual landscape, a geological wonder on the Isle of Skye. It is situated between the villages of Sheader and Balnacnoc.
Reviewed By BillBT2017 - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Went to explore the stunning landscape and scenery of Fairy Glen, its a magical looking place, situated near Uig. Well worth taking the trouble to go, take stout footwear so you can climb some of the small hills for the views of the surrounding conical shaped hills, its pretty special.
9. Iona Abbey and Nunnery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,010 reviews
The abbey is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Find out more about our reopening plans at restarthistory.scot. The Abbey Church at Iona Abbey will be inaccessible to visitors from 7 January to 17 March 2019. Iona Abbey is one of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites. Located on the Isle of Iona, just off the Isle of Mull, it was founded by St Columba and his Irish followers in AD 563. As a celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains an enduring symbol of worship. The abbey church was restored at the beginning of the 20th century, whilst work on restoring the living accommodation began in 1938, following the foundation of the Iona Community. Today, the Iona Community continues the tradition of worship first established by St Columba 1,450 years ago.
Reviewed By joanhart - Wellington, New Zealand
It was a stunning day in August last year whilst on a bus tour, that I got to fulfil a lifelong ambition to visit Iona. THe island is small, but with lovely gardens and ruins that were well worth the effort to see. THe Abbey is amazing - old yet vibrant and so windswept, the stone building having stood since around 800BC, it is one of the oldest Christian churches in western Europe founded by St Columba with 12 other Irish pilgrims. There is a nunnery, but this is in ruins but reasonably well preserved. Worth the trip and hsirotically, very important for me.
10. Callanish Standing Stones
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,608 reviews
This ancient monument is one of the most significant archaeological spots in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.
Reviewed By naturequeen - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
The time to visit this if it were possible would be alone in the evening with you and the stones for company. Set in beautiful scenery and quite extraordinary it is well worth a visit when you are in this part of Scotland. Don't go to Scotland and not visit here. Great gift shop but the cafe was packed and very long queues because of its popularity so would suggest an "out of season" or out of school holidays if you don't want to be squeezed out by the other tourists visiting here.
