Vacations in the Western Isles of Scotland
If asked where we are planning to visit for this year’s annual vacation few of us would reply “the Western Isles of Scotland” but to be fair the Western Isles of Scotland have, in the last ten years or so, seen a noticeable increase in tourism. Each year there has been an increase in the number of visitors from elsewhere in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. Below we examine some of the reasons for this apparent increase in popularity.
You will find the Western Isles just out from the western Scottish mainland across an area of sea called the Minch. Consisting of around 100 islands the archipelago is also known as the Outer Hebrides where the main language is Gaelic. The largest and most densely populated island is the Isle of Lewis which is where you will find the main town of the region, Stornoway.
Because of the fact that, over the centuries, massive numbers of Hebrideans (as people who live in the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides are known) have left the islands to settle elsewhere, such as Canada and America, many folk from around the globe can trace their families roots back to the islands. With the massive increase in interest in genealogy there has been a corresponding increase in interest in the islands.
Sports such as fly fishing, cycling and surfing are extremely popular in the islands due to the unique challenges and incredible rewards that the islands offer. Golfing is as important here than elsewhere in Scotland and all the Hebridean golf courses are incredibly popular. More and more people travel to the islands to enjoy their sports, cyclists enjoy the hard challenge offered by the often rough terrain, surfers enjoy some of the best waves in the United Kingdom and the salmon and trout fishing in the Western Isles is amongst the best in Europe.
If you visit the Western Isles to enjoy sports you will quickly discover how great it is to be surrounded with some of the most incredible scenery in the United Kingdom. Not only is the scenery diverse, if you are lucky, you will also see that the flora and fauna of the Hebrides is also diverse and extremely interesting. Few things are as enjoyable that watching an otter or two at play only a few yards from where you are standing. Take a closer look around and you may see a Golden Eagle or maybe deer.
One place that you really must visit in the Western Isles is Calanais (Callanish) where you will find an amazing stone circle which is only second in important to the famous Stone Henge in England. All around you will see other, smaller, stone circles and numerous monoliths appear all over the islands. Near to Calanais is an excellent example of an iron age broch, a unique building found in the islands which is believed to have served a defensive purpose. Numerous other historic sites such as iron age houses and duns (forts) appear across the islands making it an ideal vacation destination for folk interested in such things.
Another period of history which played an important role in the development of the Hebridean culture was the period during which the Vikings troubled the coastal settlement of the U.K. At first they just pillaged, often they would do so on their outward journey and again on their return. Eventually some settled in the Western Isles and, at one time, they were ruled by the Norse. Today the vast majority of the place names if the islands have Norse origins.
There are many, many more reasons to spend a vacation in the Western Isles of Scotland as we have only scratched the surface of the topic. Most of us like to take a vacation where we can relax on the beach and the Western Isles have some of the most incredible beaches in the United Kingdom. I can not begin to explain how great it is to discover a lovely little bay with soft shell sand where you can spend a whole afternoon enjoying the sounds of the waves while not once seeing another soul. I most enjoy the beaches of South Harris and over on the Uists but there are also astounding beaches to be found along the south west coast of the Isle of Lewis.
Last 5 posts by Francis MacDonald
- Western Isles Bed And Breakfast And Stornoway Hotels - July 15th, 2008
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