Your Questions Answered

We have some helpful information and common questions people ask us. Please take a quick read and see if this helps before contacting us.

What is the best time of year to visit the Outer Hebrides?

Between April and October are the times when most folk visit as the weather tends is better and there are more places open. However, if you are looking for a quiet retreat, and looking for dark skies, then bewteen November and March are the best time.

How many days should I spend on the Outer Hebrides?

At least a week, if not more to be able to really explore and discover all the islands. Many people island hop to start off with and then return year after year and explore each island.

What is the best island to visit in the Hebrides?

They are all outstanding and each with their own character - so worth visiting them all and you decide which is your favourite!

Can you send out brochures and leaflets?

We have a fantastic range of leaflets and guides which are available to download on our site. We do have a small range of leaflets and guides available to purchase on our online shop. Limited amounts of leaflets and guides are available to pick up on island.

Our colleagues at VisitScotland produce a great e-brochure which you can view.

Hebridean Hopscotch Holidays produce a fabulous brochure which you can request to be posted out or emailed a PDF version directly from Lewis where they are based. It details the different packages and itineraries which they offer and can create just for you. Get in touch here.

Advice for travelling by motorhome/campervan?

There are campsites through the islands and we have a Motorhome section on our website if you are travelling by motorhome.

Can you find us accommodation?

We can’t find you accommodation, but you can check our Accommodation section on our website, where you will find a selection of great options to stay. Our strongly advice to book early to avoid disappointment and if you are taking a car, we highly recommend booking your ferry at the same time as our ferries can get very busy.

If you would like help with booking accommodation and transport, you can contact our tailor made holiday providers.

There are full-service hotels in most of the main settlements on each island, along with a number of smaller guest houses and Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) throughout the islands, which offer overnight stays. Some may require a minimum stay in peak periods.

A wide range of self-catering properties are available to suit all budgets. These are mainly rented by the week, and the majority run from Saturday-Saturday. Out of season they may take short-breaks, but in the main holiday season, you will be required to book for a full week

There is a choice of campsites on each island, and bunkhouses in hostels in the larger communities, as well as a number of pods throughout the islands.

How do I travel to the Outer Hebrides?

There are three airports on the islands – Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra with flights to/from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. The services run year-round and is provided by Loganair, which is part of the British Airways booking system

Ferries are operated by Caledonian Macbrayne (Calmac). There are five year-round routes – Castlebay (Barra) to Oban, Lochboisdale (South Uist) to Mallaig, Lochmaddy (North Uist) to Uig (Skye), Tarbert (Harris) to Uig (Skye) and Stornoway (Lewis) to Ullapool. There are ferries between the islands which are also run by Calmac. All ferries take cars and bicycles. You can buy hopscotch tickets from Calmac.

We have a really good Getting Here section on our website about travel to the Outer Hebrides with links to flight and ferry operators.

Can you book our holiday and travel?

We cannot do this, but we do have holiday package providers who will provide this service and you can find out more here.

What is there to do on the islands?

We have a great See and Do section on our website. There is adventure and relaxation to be had, some wildlife spotting, ancient history to learn, Gaelic culture to be immersed in and epic landscape to see!

Have a look at our blogs for some inspiration.

Where is the best places to try out local food and drink?

We have a local food and drink trail, Eat Drink Hebrides. You are guaranteed to taste our delicious produce.

Are the Midges bad?

These wee flying insects like the still weather and hate wind. Lucky for us, being on the west coast and next to the Atlantic Ocean, we tend to have a breeze most days and so Midges just tend to appear on rare still days!

You will be able to purchase Midge repellent on the islands.

How do I prevent a Tick bite?

Infected ticks can cause Lymes disease so it is important that you check for ticks following a trip outdoors. Ticks are often found in the heather or long grass. Dress appropriately to avoid them hitching a lift!

Do:

Cover your arms and wear long trousers
Make sure your trousers are tucked into your socks
Wear inspect repellent
Check yourself for ticks after being outdoors, paricularly if you have been walking or camping

Further advice can be found here.

Are the causeways tidal?

No, they are not tidal and are open all year (although they do tend to close when there is a severe gale).

There are 6 causeways which link some of our southern islands. Uist has the bulk with 5 and all 6 islands are linked by causeway (Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, Grimsay, North Uist and Berneray). The final causeway is between the islands of Vatersay and Barra.

Are there supermarkets on the islands?

Yes we have a number of local supermarkets on most islands. The COOP is predominant and there is also a Tesco supermarket in Stornoway. Stornoway is a town of several thousand people and has a full range of retail stores, including Argos and Boots. There are also lots of fantastic local community shops, which have a great variety of local produce and groceries.

Where can I find out where public toilets are located?

You can find this in our Facilities section, along with chemical toilet disposal points, public showers, petrol stations, medical services, garages, etc. We also have a google map with public toilets locations.

How do I get about the islands?

There are 12 main inhabited islands are split into three groups:

Barra and Vatersay, which are joined by a causeway,
Uist which is six main islands all joined by Causeways (Eriskay/South Uist/Grimsay/Benbecula/North Uist/Berneray)
Harris and Lewis, which are separate parts of the same island and which are also connected to Scalapy and Great Bernera by bridge

Ferries run between each of the island groups from Ardmhor on Barra to Eriskay and from Beneray to Leverburgh on Harris

Local buses are available throughout the islands, with a particularly good network around Stornoway. In outlying areas you may need to book the bus in advance to ensure the service runs

The roads on the whole are well maintained, but with the exception of the jounrey between Tarbert and Stornoway, will involve sections that are single-track. It is essential that you familiarise yourself with the correct way to use passing places. You should not cross the road to enter a passing place, just wait beside it for the other car to pass you. Do not park in passing places under any circumstances – even for a quick photo. Read more here.

Can I hire a car?

Car hire is available to meet all ferry arrivals and flights. It is essential you book in advance.

Do you have garages on the islands?

Yes we do and most are affiliated with breakdown services. List of petrol stations and garages here.

Electric Car Charge points

We have around 25 EV charge points in the Outer Hebrides and you can find out where they are located here.

Can I hire a bike?

There are a number of companies offering bike hire. Head over to this page for a list.

How can I organise a Bike transfer?

Yes you can and you can find out more here.

Can I book a taxi?

There are taxi operators throughout the islands with some areas better served than others. We have a list of taxi companies here.

How do I get to St Kilda?

Day trips to St Kilda are available from both Lochboisdale, Leverburgh and Isle of Barra. Details of the different companies can be found on our website. You cannot stay on St Kilda overnight without the permission of the National Trust for Scotland. Most people stay as part of an NTS work party.

Is everything closed on Sundays?

Sunday tends to be a quiet day in the Outer Hebrides.

In the northern islands most shops, cafes and attractions are closed. In the southern islands there will be some shops, cafes and attractions open.

On all islands there is no bus service on a Sunday, but hotels are open everywhere and you can get food and drink served.

I am getting confused are you Outer Hebrides or the Western Isles?

We are both!

We are also have the Gaelic versions: Innse Gall (Outer Hebrides), Na h-Eileanan an Iar (The Western Isles) or Eilean Siar (Western Isles) and we were once known as the Long Island (An t-eilean fada).

What can I expect when visiting the Outer Hebrides?

We are a small population and chain of islands with fairly limited facilities and infrastructure in some areas. That means that shops are not open 24/7 and the same goes for restaurants, cafes and visitor attractions, so plan your trips carefully and before you visit, check places are open
Plan for the unexpected. The weather can have quite an impact on us here - the wind is straight off the Atlantic. It can get very stormy at times which can mean boat trips, watersport activities and ferries to and in between islands are cancelled at short notice
When you pass someone in a passing place, they will wave at you to thank you for stopping to let them pass!
Keep an eye on our NOTICEBOARD to keep yourself up-to-date
Our islanders expect visitors to respect their way of life and environment. We have a VISITOR CODE, which we would encourage you to follow