Sheer Brilliance
The Outer Hebrides have some of the most striking cliffs in the world.
The island’s history of volcanic eruption, igneous rock transformation and the creation of the Hebridean fault line has meant hundreds of hair raising rock faces have formed, over thousands of millions of years.
We’ve chosen just a few to look at here. So, from the top...
Butt of Lewis
Once claimed by Guinness Book of Records to be the windiest spot in the U.K, the incredible crags of the Butt of Lewis mark the most northern point of the Outer Hebrides. They’re complimented by the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, designed by famed architect David Stevenson and, unusually for a Scottish lighthouse, is constructed of unpainted red brick.
Stac a'Phris
Further down the coast is Stac a' Phris, at Dalbeg and on the West Side Coastal Path is a natural sea arch which will quite literally take your your breath away!
Mangersta Sea Stacks
To the west of Lewis you’ll find the magnificent Mangersta Sea Stacks. They tower from the sea - sharp, stoic and sort of scary. Imposing and awe inspiring, all at the same time.
Garry Beach Stacks (Traigh Gearadha)
On the east coast of Lewis, at Garry beach, Tolsta, just beyond Traigh Mhor, is the amazing sea stacks of Caisteal a’ Mhorair and some equally amazing caves.
Barra Head
Barra Head is as far south as the Outer Hebrides go. The tallest cliff is Skate Point, which rises to an impressive 190 metres. At the edge of the similarly steep Sloc na Bèiste, you’ll find Barra Head Lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson (dad to David) in 1833. Barra Head hosts the smallest colony of gannets in Scotland. Birds are the island's last remaining residents, since the previous inhabitants finally left in 2009. They were sheep.
St Kilda
41 miles off the coast of Benbecula you’ll find St Kilda. This extreme Atlantic outpost is a dual UNESCO World Heritage site.
It boasts the highest sea cliffs in Britain and is the most important seabird breeding station in north west Europe. Puffins, guillemots and fulmars contribute to the >1 million bird population that call the archipelago’s spectacular crags home. The highest point is found on Hirta, with Conachair hitting an iconic 430 metres. Next tallest is Boreray at a staggering 384 metres, then Soay at 378 metres. Huge cliffs define every compass point of the main islands, and also the monoliths standing in the clear surrounding sea. Like the extraordinary Stac an Armin clocking in at 196 metres, and Stac Lee, 172 metres, the highest sea stacks in Britain.
However you see the cliffs, you’ll find yourself falling in love with how the Outer Hebrides can seem to just fall away. A guaranteed high point of your Hebridean holiday.
