Wildlife in the Outer Hebrides

If you are seeking a truly memorable wildlife break in Scotland, then the islands of the Outer Hebrides are the perfect destination.

With the islands enjoying one of the last untouched natural landscapes in Europe, wildlife in the Western Isles is some of the finest in the world, with Outer Hebrides animals and plants all at home in their surrounding without fear of poaching, pollution or disturbance.

Wildlife watching in the Outer Hebrides offers a glimpse into a time almost forgotten by the rest of the world, where the white-tailed eagle soars over the rugged coastline as red deer roam proudly over the peaty moorlands and otters swim in many sea lochs.

Much of the wildlife in the Western Isles is unique and protected, meaning that visitors enjoying Scottish island nature breaks here can enjoy pursuits as diverse as spotting minke whale in the sea around the Outer Hebrides and eagle watching in the sky.

Our islands are a popular destination for birdwatching in Scotland, as birding in the Western Isles offers opportunities to see everything from birds of prey to seabirds and waders. Look out for the Bird of Prey Trail which spans the Outer Hebrides with location markers for the best places to see birds of prey. As well as this, the Western Isles are the summer home to two thirds of the elusive British corncrake population from April to September. 

One of the most iconic of the Outer Hebrides animals is the red deer, and with an estimated 4,000 of them living on Lewis and Harris, seeing deer is a common experience on a wildlife tour of the Western Isles.

Visitors can also spot otters in the Outer Hebrides, with guided Western Isles otter tours helping visitors find these shy creatures, which can grow up to four feet in length if left to live and feed undisturbed in the sea lochs of Lewis and waters around our islands.

Another popular part of our Scottish island wildlife is the wonderful sealife of the Outer Hebrides.  Visitors can enjoy some of the world’s richest and most vibrant marine life in the Western Isles, starting as soon as you set foot on the ferry. Look out for Porpoises, orca whales, minke whales, basking shakes and numerous species of dolphins in the waters surrounding our islands.

Outer Hebrides boat trips and sealife tours are on offer from a number of places across our islands, with Western Isles whale and dolphin watching proving popular with those drawn to the Hebrides by nature tourism. Indeed the recent development of a Hebridean Whale Trail details best places in the Outer Hebrides to spot a whale. 

RSPB Guided tours are available with knowledgeable and experienced wardens in during the season: Uist Guided Walks and Lewis Guided Walks.

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