Things to do in the Outer Hebrides

Scotland is a very popular tourist destination. Thousands of visitors’ flock to Scotland each year to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Outer Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides is a remote area in Scotland – also known as the Western Isles or the ‘islands of the strangers.’ The inter-connected islands are located on Europe’s Atlantic edge, and each one has something unique on offer.

You could book an escorted tour around Scotland to make some new friends and see multiple new places. In very remote areas, it’s essential to know where you are staying and how you will get around. A tour group can help you to see the most breath-taking places easily and safely.

Here are a few things to see and do in the Outer Hebrides.

Callanish

The village of Callanish is on the Isle of Lewis. If you are a history buff, you need to pay a visit to the stones of Callanish. These stones date back further than Stonehenge and are placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They date back to the Bronze Age and the ritual activities that were popular in the Neolithic era. Many people think the standing stone circle bears some magical experience – but the exact purpose of the stones remains unknown. Visit the stones to experience their mystical and mysterious quality…

St Kilda

Take a cruise to St Kilda and visit the National Reserve and UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spot Atlantic puffins, fulmars, guillemots, and the remains of a volcano on this island. The remaining 36 residents of St Kilda were evacuated in 1930 after they voted to leave the island. Their way of life was no longer sustainable as St Kilda towers over the stormy Atlantic Ocean. The island is now uninhabited, and only visitors come to the ‘island at the edge of the world.’

Kisimul castle

Castle Bay on the Isle of Barra is home to the medieval castle, Kisimul. The castle used to house the chief of Clan MacNeil in the 11th century and holds a lot of significance in the history of the Outer Hebrides. The castle is a three-storey tower house and can be accessed by taking a short boat trip from Castle Bay.

Gearrannan Village

Just off the Atlantic coast lies Gearrannan village with multiple historical sites and outdoor activities. The crofting village has fantastic hospitality and accommodation as well as a unique charm. The buildings in Gearrannan were restored using traditional methods to retain the rich history and culture of the area.

The Outer Hebrides is not for the faint-hearted, but is one of best places for a UK walking holiday. Enjoy a trip of a lifetime and explore the remote Scottish Isles and all of the histories they have to offer.