Top Tips

Mark Rowe is the author of the guide book Outer Hebrides, published by Bradt.  He writes about the less well known areas in eastern Lewis which are well worth exploring and offer elemental scenery, walking and wildlife spotting. 

Make the most of your Hebridean Way cycling trip and get off the route and explore. You don't have to follow the route exactly, your can do it YOUR way. Take time to see the place and meet the islanders - you  won't regret it!

A journey through our islands will take you to some of the most stunning beaches in the UK. From hauntingly beautiful hidden coves to stretches of strand that go on for miles, the white-sand and clear turquoise waters are truly a feast for the eyes. 

The Outer Hebrides have been the location of a number of films over the years. Our epic and diverse landscape, changeable stunning light, dramatic weather and unique Gaelic culture combine to provide the perfect backdrop for the camera.

We have three recent productions Iorram (Boat Song), Limbo and The Road Dance. Iorram and Limbo have both have been released, whilst The Road Dance is still in post-production.

Glasgow Film Festival is showing Iorram and Limbo over the next few days, so you have an opportunity to watch them - online.

Last year, the Outer Hebrides was THE place to be to celebrity spot! You could barely turn a corner on our islands but bump into a celebrity or two, with some even competing for the attention of Highland cattle.

For those of you who like to find out about a bit of local history when out and about on holiday, then it’s worth considering a visit to one of the lighthouses (taighean-solais in Gaelic)

A footpath that joins the two coasts of Harris. Used to transport coffins to Luskentyre, as there were no cemetries on the rocky east coast of Harris.

Many a visitor to Eriskay departs enchanted by the ponies that roam freely across their island home.   Known in Gaelic as ‘Each Beag nan Eilean’ (Small Island Horse), the Eriskay Ponies, the last surviving native Hebridean pony breed.

Ask any ex-pat Hebridean to name something that reminds them of home, and the smell of peat is likely to be near the top of the list.

Hebridean Women formed the backbone of the fishing industry.  For almost 100 years, from 1850 up to the Second World War up to 3,000 of the islands women employed in the industry as “Herring Girls”.