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Friday, June 10, 2011

Islands To Visit In The Outer Hebrides, Scotland

By Mark Walters


If you have ever wondered about the reasons to visit the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, you're in the right place. Our guide takes you through the best reasons to go there, starting with the Isle of Lewis. More than 6000 people live in Stornoway alone, making it the most populous of the islands. You'll find sites such as a community-owned castle and the Neolithic Callanish Stones, which predate the Egyptian pyramids, as well as lots of cliffs that are great for abseiling.

A second reason to visit the Outer Hebrides is the Isle of Harris, which features some extremely diverse landscape. The east coast is very rocky and harsh, whereas the west coast features more traditional views and sandy beaches set against a backdrop of mountains. The landscape appears slightly lunar and is home to the oldest rock in the world, the Lewisian Gneiss. There are many locks, meadows and hills to explore, along with lots of castles and some great fishing that any angler will love.

Another stunning place to visit is the Isle of North Uist. There is a fantastic arts center and lots of freshwater lochs, meaning anglers can often get a whole lock to themselves. It's a great place for nature lovers as 9000 seal pups are born on the island every year. At low tide, you can go across to the Isle of Vallay and explore the beautiful deserted mansion. The island is 13 miles from north to south and offers a great experience.

You should also definitely check out the Isle of South Uist. This island has 20 miles of white shell beaches and lots of exciting flowers and wildlife (such as otters) to explore. You could visit the Loch Druidibeg nature reserve for a great day out, or perhaps explore some of the Hebridean traditions still carried out on the island. For example, wool drying, peat cutting and seaweed collecting are ways of life for the locals. It's also worth checking out the contrasting valleys and cliffs.

Lastly, the Islands of St Kilda are amazing. They offer the most dramatic landscape in the UK and are a group of volcanic islands located 40 miles west of the main archipelago. The whole place is owned by the National Trust and you can go and see an abandoned village as the place is mostly uninhabited. The islands are a World Heritage Site and, with over 1 million birds including the most guillemots in the world, is also the most important sea bird breeding station in North West Europe.




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