The '''Outer Hebrides''' (also know as the Western Isles) are the westernmost chain of islands in the Hebrides, west of the Scottish Highlands.
Regions
These are all separate islands, except Lewis and Harris which together form one island.
Lewis
Harris
Berneray
North Uist
Benbecula
South Uist
Eriskay
Barra
St Kilda
Towns and villages
Balivanich - the biggest village on Benbecula
Castlebay - the main village on Barra
Lochmaddy - the main village on North Uist
Stornoway - the only town, on the Isle of Lewis
Tarbert - the main village in Harris
Other destinations
Understand
The Outer Hebrides[http://www.western-isles.co.uk] are a fascinating destination. The scenery is beautiful. The landscape is rocky and mountainous, but also lush and verdant - due in no small part to the large amounts of rain which tend to fall. It is easy to find a quiet peaceful spot.
The Gaelic language and culture is appealing. At a practical level this means that place names on road signs are in Gaelic, but the bus timetables use the English names!
Religion still plays an important part in many people_fs lives. In Lewis and Harris this is often in the form of Protestant Free Presbyterian Churches. As a result the Sabbath (Sunday) is respected, so you are unlikely to find shops etc open on a Sunday. Activities happening on a Sunday often are opposed locally. In contrast Barra and South Uist are mainly Catholic, and Sunday opening is much more likely.
Talk
Get in
By boat
'''Caledonian MacBrayne''' [http://www.calmac.co.uk/] is the national ferry service. Citylink coaches generally connect with the ferries on the mainland. Details for Summer 2006:
Ullapool to Stornoway Mon-Sat 2 per day, taking 2 hours 45 minutes.
Uig on Skye to Tarbert (Harris) Mon-Sat 1 or 2 per day taking 1 hour 40 minutes.
Uig on Skye to Lochmaddy on North Uist Mon-Sun 1 or 2 per day taking 1 hour 45 minutes.
Oban to Castlebay on Barra daily, taking 5+ hours.
Oban to Lochboisdale on South Uist 4 per week, taking 5+ hours.
By air
In the Outer Hebrides, there are airports in Stornoway in Lewis, Benbecula and Barra. These airports provide direct flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. The airport in Barra is one of the most spectacular in the world, with planes landing on a three-mile beach at low tide, but this does mean that the flight times vary with the tide.
Get around
By boat
'''Caledonian MacBrayne''', [http://www.calmac.co.uk/]. The national ferry service. Details below are for Summer 2006:
Berneray to Leverburgh on Harris Daily 3-4 per day, taking 1 hour.
Eriskay to Barra Daily, up to 5 per day, taking 40 minutes.
By Bus
There are good bus services during the day Mon - Sat, but little in the evening and no buses on a Sunday.
[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/travel/index.htm Western Isles bus timetables]
Causeways
Many of the islands are linked by road causeways and bridges, which have progressively been built over the last 50 years or so. Most recently causeways have been built to Eriskay from South Uist, and to Berneray from North Uist.
By bicycle
The Outer Hebrides are popular for cycle tourists, generally taking around a week to cycle from Barra to Stornoway.
Car Hire
'''MacLennan's Garage''', Balivanich, Benbecula, tel: ''+44'' (0)1870 602191
'''Ask Car Hire''', Creagorry, Benbecula, tel: ''+44'' (0)1870 602818.
'''Mackinnon Self Drive''' [http://mackinnonselfdrive.co.uk], 18 Inaclete Road, Stornoway, Lewis, HS1 2RB 01851 702984. From __22.50 per day.
'''Arnol Motors''' [http://www.arnolmotors.com/hire.htm], Arnol, Lewis HS2 9DB 01851 710548. From __23 per day.
'''Lewis Car Rentals''' [http://www.lewis-car-rental.co.uk], 52 Bayhead Street, Stornoway, Lewis, HS1 2TU. From __22 per day.
Taxis
'''Alda Taxis''', Lochmaddy, North Uist. tel: +44 (0)1876 500 215.
See
Beaches
There are many fine sandy beaches, mainly on the Western shores of the islands.
History
Historic Scotland Properties[http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/search_pic_map-western-isles-all.htm]:
Kisimul Castle on Barra.
Callinish Standing Stones on Lewis.
Carloway Brooch on Lewis.
Black House Museum at Arnol on Lewis.
Art
An Lanntair Art Centre [http://www.lanntair.com] in Stornoway.
Taigh Chearsabhagh [http://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org] in Lochmaddy.
Itineraries
Do
Play Golf at one of the 5 island Golf Courses [http://www.golfhebrides.com].
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
Get out