Found off the North Westerly tip of Scotland, The Outer Hebridean archipelago is a chain of interconnected Atlantic Islands, breathtakingly beautiful and remote, the perfect escape for explorers, families looking for an adventure to remember and couples seeking the ultimate romantic escape.
This simply enchanting part of the world has much to offer. Pull on your walking boots and explore the vast, unspoilt landscapes, see a multitude of wildlife including owls, puffins and golden eagles either on land or at sea or just sit in peaceful tranquility on a deserted white sandy beach.
There are several ways to travel from mainland Scotland, so we have put together some recommendations of how to get to the spectacular islands.
Travel by car
Taking your own car has many advantages; you can pack it full to the brim with all you need so you will be ready for any adventure. And most importantly, you can take all your favourite journey snacks too, perfect!
You will need to book your ferry crossing in advance and do remember to check the ferry terminal arrival time which is about 60 minutes before you are due to set sail.
There are five ferry routes to choose from along the west coast of Scotland: from Ullapool (mainland) to Stornoway (Isle of Lewis), from Uig (Isle of Skye) to Tarbert (Isle of Harris) from Uig to Lochmaddy (Isle of North Uist) from Mallaig (mainland) to Lochboisdale (isle of South Uist) and from Oban (Mainland) to Castlebay (Isle of Barra) and all are operated by the same ferry provider Calmac. Your holiday will start from the moment you step on board, this is such an exciting way to travel. Do remember to spend time on deck to spot dolphins and porpoises and the occasional whale, this remote area is famed for its abundance of wildlife.
Travel by air
Another option would be to fly, The Outer Hebrides are easy to reach by plane. There are three airports: Stornoway Airport on the Isle of Lewis, Benbecula Airport on the Isle of Benbecula, and Barra Airport on the Isle of Barra. Flights are with Loganair and for much of the year fly daily.
Most direct flights from airports on mainland Scotland, (Glasgow and Inverness) take about an hour, making it quick to get to the islands. Plus, the view as you arrive is stunning. When you land on the beach in Barra—where flights land on a beach—it's an incredible experience that will leave you amazed! For more information link to Loganair website
Car hire is available throughout the islands should you choose the fly/drive option. This makes great way to see the islands, especially if you’re short on time. After you land, there are regular bus services and plenty of taxis available to take you to where you’ll be staying.
Alternatively, many UK airports link with Inverness so why not fly from your home city and pick up a hire car from here? The car journey to the ferry terminal in Uig on the Isle of Skye, would take roughly two and a half hours. Planning ahead is key, so do look at all the options.
Ferry travel between islands
There are four main islands, Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra which link to smaller islands via a network of bridges and ferries and each of these islands are connected by causeway, each one has its own unique story and character. We highly recommend island hopping, as each island offers a wealth of experiences, and local ferry services operate daily. For your convenience, it might be beneficial to book in advance, and further information is available here.
So now you just need to choose when to visit, and each season stamps its personality in a different way. Glorious springtime brings warmer, drier days and a myriad of wildlife including migrating birds, while being so far west a stay in the summer months brings long daylight hours, perfect for exploring and enjoying the white sandy sun-kissed beaches. Autumn and winter are captivating and varied in equal measure, if you love the wilder and rugged conditions that can be enjoyed during these seasons, not to mention opportunities to see the northern lights, then this is a wonderful time to visit this breathtaking corner of the UK. Of course, at this time of year the ferries are less frequent so planning ahead is key.
Ready to plan your adventure to the Outer Hebrides? With a spectacular backdrop of the shoreline and panoramic views across the rugged croft land and mountains in the distance, Stella Maris is a fabulous four-bedroom dog-friendly cottage perched on the Isle of Benbecula, perfectly situated for exploring everything these magnificent islands have to offer.
