The Hebrides, a captivating archipelago off the coast of Scotland, beckons with rugged landscapes, rich history, and charming island culture.
Where are the Hebrides?
Located off the west coast of mainland Scotland, The Hebrides are an extensive collection of islands, subdivided into two main groups, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides.
What's the difference between the Inner and Outer Hebrides?
These islands are known for their rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife.
The Inner Hebrides (located to the east closer the mainland) and the Outer Hebrides (located further to the west of mainland Scotland) are separated from each other by channels called the Minch and the Little Minch.
These islands are known for their rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife.
How many islands are there altogether in the Hebrides?
The Hebrides comprises a total of over 100 islands.
How many in Inner and how many in Outer?
The Inner Hebrides includes 35 inhabited islands and 44 uninhabited ones. The Outer Hebrides consists of more than 100 islands and skerries, with 15 being inhabited.
Which is the biggest island?
The largest in Scotland by area, is Lewis and Harris in The Outer Hebrides. Although they are actually part of the same land mass, they are thought of as different islands, and each has its own distinctive culture, traditions and heritage with Gaelic culture and language woven through the islands. Lewis (in the north) and Harris (in the south) together cover an area of approximately 2,178 square kilometers.
In the Inner Hebrides, the largest island is the Isle of Skye. Skye is renowned for its incredible landscapes, picturesque villages, and medieval castles. It spans an area of approximately 1,656 square kilometers, making it the largest island in the Inner Hebrides.
Which is the smallest island?
Easdale Island is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides, off Scotland's west coast. Situated in the Firth of Lorn, approximately 15 miles south of Oban, Argyll, it covers an area of less than 10 hectares but has a permanent population of approximately 60 people.
Easdale lies 200 metres off the Island of Seil which itself is connected to the mainland by the 200 year-old Clachan Bridge, the "Bridge over the Atlantic". There is no vehicle access to the Island which is served by a small ferry which is able to carry 10 passengers.
How many people live on the Hebrides?
The total population of The Hebrides in Scotland is approximately 45,000 people. This includes both the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles) have a population of around 26,500, while the Inner Hebrides have approximately 20,000 inhabitants.
Which are the biggest towns on the Hebrides?
Stornoway, located on the Isle of Lewis, is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides. Lewis in the north is the largest island in the group and its main town of Stornoway is a busy centre of island life bursting with live music on the weekends and a great food and drink scene. Its natural harbour is a thriving fishing port.
In the Inner Hebrides, Portree on the Isle of Skye is the largest town. It is known for its picturesque harbour, vibrant cultural scene, and as a hub for exploring the rest of Skye.
Which island is the most beautiful?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the Hebrides offer a wealth of stunning landscapes, each island teeming with history and diverse wildlife. Determining the most beautiful island is subjective, but the following examples showcase the breathtaking beauty waiting to be experienced and explored:
Outer Hebrides
Each of the islands in the chain has its own unique personality and is deserving of time and in-depth exploration. To the north, the Isle of Lewis has wonderful and distinctive archaeology, extensive peat bogs and myriad of Lochs and Lochans. Travel south and cross the majestic and rugged hills of North Harris before descending towards the shores of West Loch Tarbert. The southwest of Harris by total contrast is dominated by magnificent white shell sand beaches and flower cover machair.
If looking for a "get away from it all" experience, then the islands that make up Uist are the place to be. With miles and miles of quiet beaches to the west, and hills and moorland to the east, this combined with a lively warm community, the feeling of space from the wide open skies and being welcomed by friendly islanders will be sure to relax, rejuvenate and feed the soul.
Nestled between Lewis and Harris to the north and Barra and Vatersay to the south, Uist is easily accessed by ferries from the mainland and from the other islands. Uist is the collective name commonly used for the islands that make up Uist (or The Uists). These are Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay and and despite all being linked by causeway each has their own story and character. Also included are The Monach Isles, which are off the coast of North Uist and have been uninhabited since 1948.
Inner Hebrides
The Isle of Skye: Renowned for its dramatic landscapes, the majestic Cuillin mountain range, and striking geological formations as well as the picturesque town of Portree.
Mull & Iona: The charming town of Tobermory with its coloured houses and independent businesses features miles of stunning coastline and abundant wildlife. Experience the natural beauty of the rugged cliffs, marvel at Duart Castle, silver-sand beaches, dramatic mountains, ancient forests, and flowering machair. Explore across the crystal-clear water to the history rich Isle of Iona and experience its magical serenity firsthand.
Isle of Tiree: Also known as The Land Below the Waves because of its flatness and The Hawaii of the North because it’s so good for windsurfing, Tiree boasts glorious beaches, turquoise waters, wildflower meadows and a number of tranquil coves. Tiree often outperforms everywhere else in Britain for daily hours of sunshine, but in months when days are shorter and nights longer, streetlight-free Tiree is perfect for dark-sky watching.
Other hidden gems in the Hebrides include the likes of Berneray, Eriskey, South Uist, Raasay, Gigha, Colonsay and Jura.
Any famous sights we should know about?
Outer Hebrides
Isle of Lewis: The Calanais Standing Stones in the Isle of Lewis is one of the most significant and well-preserved Neolithic monuments in Europe and are even older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
Calanais makes up a Neolithic network of stone circles and monuments in the vicinity of the village of Calanais and so a day out spent stone circle hopping is well advised for keen explorers. (Please note, the visitor centre attached is going through an exciting redevelopment which will see an entirely reimagined visitor experience, expected to open in 2025/2026), in the meantime there is a revised visitor offer and the stone circle is still open as normal).
Discover the ruins of the unique Scottish site of Dùn Chàrlabhaigh or the Carloway Broch, a broch which is a type of structure found only in Scotland, and is currently owned by the local community estate and allows visitors to get an understanding of how these historic monuments live in the now.
Venture on to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, before stopping off at Uig beach for stunning scenery. Those looking for a history fix can explore the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis museum, which is free to visit and boasts extensive archives to preserve and promote the history, language and culture of North Lewis.
Those looking to go even further, can enjoy a guided wild swimming trip with Immerse Hebrides, a tour with local weaver DJ who will guide visitors to the incredible Uig Chessmen in Museum nan Eilean and show the craftsmanship behind Harris Tweed.
Book a stay in Uig Sands and have one of the most unforgettable meals with a view in their restaurant, or go looking for wildlife like Golden Eagles with Rob Howard Photography exploring the often overlooked part of Lewis, in the area of South Lochs and Pairc.
Isle of Raasay: Travel across as a foot passenger from The Isle of Skye and go for a day of adventures on the Isle of Raasay. Visit the beautifully restored Jacobean mansion Raasay House for tea, try great outdoors activities for all abilities, from sea-kayaking to sailing or coasteering. Or opt to take a walk on the famous Calum’s Road or hike up Dun Caan. Visit the picturesque ruins of Brochel Castle and the Isle of Raasay Distillery.
St. Kilda: The westernmost point of the UK and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting these off the beaten track islands is an unforgettable experience and are referred to as the ‘islands at the edge of the world’. St. Kilda is home to Europe’s largest seabird colony, and it’s also the site of settlements that were inhabited more than 2,000 years ago.
Boat trips to St Kilda can be taken from Uist, Harris and Lewis.
Uist: These six islands, all connected by causeways make for an unforgettable way to island hop and make for a great way to be immersed into Gaelic culture and vibrant communities. Visitors from across the world flock to the Ceòlas’ Summer School or Sgoil Shamhraidh in July to learn Gaelic language, culture and song and it makes for some of the best ceilidh experiences of the year.
The North Uist Distillery is an essential stop for their Downpour Gin and artisan spirits and with the recent installation of their whisky stills, the perfect dram isn’t far off either. In the late summer locals will help harvest heather for the Downpour Scottish Dry Gin and every bottle includes the location of where the heather was gathered in Uist.
Go back in time with the help of Uist Unearthed, an innovative and award-winning app bringing some of the archaeological wonders of Uist back to life with virtual reconstructions and they also map along the Hebridean Way.
Other unforgettable experiences include seeing Kilpheder Kate, the South Uist mummy in the Kildonan Museum and sampling their incredible homebaking whilst there. Spend a day with David at Uist Sea Tours with a trip to Mingulay whilst spotting all forms of cetacean life on the way (if you are lucky!).
In South Uist, stop in to Long Island Retreats, a working croft, and experience fresh island produce and meet an array of animals through their range of tours.
Isle of Barra: Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. Long famed for its beauty - boasting beaches, hills, machair and moor all in a small island - Barra is a special place to visit, especially if arriving by plane.
The airport is one of the most unusual in the world, with flights landing on the beach at Cockle Strand in between tides. At high tide the runway disappears beneath the waves. Barra is also accessible by ferry, which departs from Oban and arrives at the main settlement, Castlebay.
Barra was the stronghold of the Clan MacNeil and last resting place of the author Compton Mackenzie, who wrote Whisky Galore - a romanticised story based on the facts of the 1941 shipwreck of the SS Politician and subsequent salvage of 240,000 bottles of whisky by the islanders of neighbouring Eriskay.
Admire the medieval Kisimul Castle, the 'Castle in the Sea', which sits dramatically on a rock islet in the bay.
Enjoy a stroll along beautiful white sandy beaches, such as Tangasdale, or take in breathtaking scenery with a cycle or walk around this small, but incredibly beautiful island.
Learn about the culture, history and language of Barra at the island's heritage centre, Dualchas, where the two main galleries present a changing programme of local history displays, art exhibitions and cultural events.
Inner Hebrides
The Isle of Rum: The jewel of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, this island is diamond in shape and diamond by nature. With amazing wildlife, an eccentric castle, walks to suit all levels, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. Rum boasts mountain peaks as spectacular as those on Skye. Head to the Cuillin Peaks for one of Scotland's most exhilarating mountain ridge walks.
Colonsay: Experience the ‘Hebrides in Miniature’. See the sandy beach at Kiloran Bay, the finest rhododendron collection in Scotland and stop for a beer at Colonsay Brewery.
Gigha: Taste the finest freshly-caught halibut on this self-sustaining island community powered by wind. Dine in the award-winning Boathouse restaurant and see the stunning Achamore Gardens.
Lismore: Home to Lismore Lighthouse, Lismore is an Inner Hebridean island near Oban. The island is approximately 10 miles long by 1 mile wide and was called the 'Great Garden' because it is relatively low lying, and very green and fertile compared with the mountains of Mull, and on the mainland.
Lismore is prized for its beauty, tranquillity, and fertility with much to offer visitors whether on a day trip or for longer. There are great places to walk, cycle, kayak, sail and picnic with views on the higher ground of the encircling mainland mountains often snowcapped in Winter, and green, blue, purple and maroon in the Summer.
How do you get there?
By Ferry
Ferries are a popular way to travel to the Hebrides, providing scenic views and the opportunity to bring vehicles along or to travel as a foot passenger. The three main ferry ports are Mallaig, Oban and Ullapool, with Mallaig port providing route options to both the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides.
There are also additional route options for foot passengers from ports such as Tayvalish and Arisaig. For more information on routes, please visit: www.calmac.co.uk/interactivemap
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates most of the ferry services to the islands. Key routes include:
- Ullapool to Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
- Oban to Castlebay (Barra)
- Mallaig to Lochboisdale (South Uist)
- Oban to Coll and Tiree
- Mallaig to Armadale (Skye)
- Kennacraig to Port Ellen (Islay)
Ferry services vary, it's essential to check the latest schedules and book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
By Car
- Driving to a ferry terminal and then taking a ferry is a flexible option, for example from Glasgow, opt to drive to ferry ports like Oban, Mallaig, or Ullapool.
- There’s also the option to drive, as The Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland by a road bridge (Skye Bridge). Connecting the mainland village of Kyle of Lochalsh to the village of Kyleakin on Skye.
By Public Transport
- Buses and trains connect major Scottish cities to ferry ports.
- For example, take a train from Glasgow to Oban, and then board a ferry to a destination in The Hebrides.
- With trains from London to Edinburgh & across Scotland, the Caledonian Sleeper trains also provides an alternative to consider. For more information on routes, please visit: www.sleeper.scot
By Air
There are several airports that service The Hebrides, allowing for quick and convenient access:
- Stornoway Airport (Isle of Lewis)
- Benbecula Airport
- Barra Airport
- Tiree Airport
Flights to these airports are available from major Scottish cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Inverness.
Travel Tips
- Plan Ahead: Check ferry schedules and book tickets in advance, especially during the summer months.
- Weather Considerations: Weather can affect ferry services, so be prepared for possible changes in travel plans.
- Book accommodation in advance: Plan and book into accommodation ahead of a trip, details of accommodation can be found on our website below.
- For more information, please visit www.visitscotland.com.
Looking for more Scottish days out inspiration?
Check out our guide to literary locations to visit in south Scotland, the Scottish borders, Berwick and the Borders and the Scottish Islands.