Western Isles

The Western Isles are also known as the Outer Hebrides or the Gaelic 'Na h-Eileanan an Iar' (for many of the locals, Gaelic is their first language) and consist of 130 miles of many large and small islands - from Lewis and Harris in the north to Uist and Barra in the south.  These islands can be accessed by ferry or by plane to airports at Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra.  Ferries run from Ullapool to Stornoway, Uig (Skye) to Lochmaddy in North Uist and Tarbert on Harris, and from Oban to Castlebay on Barra and Lochboisdale on South Uist.

The Western Isles is a wild region being buffeted by the waves of the Atlantic and the (relatively mild) strong south-westerly winds.  The mainly bleak but magnificent landscape is a mix of mountains and flat peat moorland, many inland lochs, steep cliffs and sandy beaches with wide stretches of machair (grassy sand dunes).  Sparse settlements of cottages and bungalows are strung out along the moors and much of Uist and Benbecula consist of small parcels of land linked by causeways.

The culture in the north is deeply influenced by strong Protestant beliefs with everything closing down on Sundays whereas the Roman Catholic south is less strict about observing the Sabbath and the drinking of alcohol.   The Western Isles has a fascinating history demonstrated by Neolithic standing stones, Viking place names and evidence of the Clearances.

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