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Scotland has, since Victorian times, been a popular vacation destination for many. The most adventurous tourists enjoy visiting the most remote parts of the country and few places are as remote as the Outer Hebrides. Found far off the West coast of Scotland the Outer Hebrides have become extremely popular with tourists for a multitude of reasons some of which are outlined below.

The Outer Hebrides are really on the periphery of Europe as they are really rather remote set further out than the Isle of Skye, separated by the somewhat dangerous area of sea known as the Minch. Out in the Atlantic ocean the islands have been dramatically shaped by the pounding waves and powerful winds (that occur during the winter months) the landscape is incredibly unique. Throughout the islands there are many archaeological sites of extreme interest to archaeologists and visitors alike.

It would seem that wherever you turn in the Outer Hebrides there appears an archaeological site. There are certainly many unusual mounds, lumps and bumps which could easily be ancient burial chambers and each year more and more sites are unearthed and documented. One of the most famous sites is to be found in the small village of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis. The standing stones there rather than forming a stone circle they have and inner circle and four avenues making a shape rather like a cross or crucifix.

The Outer Hebrides are also home to some rather unique flora and fauna which, in many cases, is extremely rare and in some endangered. One of the most interesting types of ground found in the Outer Hebrides is that which is called machair. Machair is a patch of coastal ground just in from a beach which is continually dusted with fine shell sand which is nutrient rich. During the spring and summer months the machair is awash with bountiful and colorful wild flowers and, sadly, large numbers of rabbits.

The countryside of the Outer Hebrides is world renowned. While many consider the interior of the Isle of Lewis just to be boring moorland others see a unique and important habitat and others enjoy the excellent fishing in the many lochs and lochans dotted all over the island. However the finest scenery has to be along the coastal areas of both east and west.

As you move from the north west of the Isle of Lewis to the south west you begin to see an increase in the number of sandy beaches until you reach the area around Uig where you will find the most beautiful. As you move onto the adjoining Isle of Harris the occurrence of spectacular sandy beaches continues and reaches a pinnacle in South Harris. North Uist and Benbecula have incredible coasts but it is on South Uist that you will find the most breathtaking beaches and largest expanses of machair in the Outer Hebrides.

Sport is something else which attracts many to the Outer Hebrides and, in recent years, a number of competitions and tournaments have helped increase awareness in surfing and other sports such as running and cycling. Of course golf and fishing remain as popular as ever and hill walking, rambling and mountaineering continue to be popular also. Windsurfing and wind carting are becoming popular on the larger beaches and it is common to see numerous kites from a distance.

All across the Outer Hebrides are superb places to enjoy a wide variety of sports. While golf, fishing and hunting remain as popular as ever newer sports are becoming increasingly important. Surfing and other sea & wind related sports such as wind surfing and wind carting have recently become extremely popular. However, when you visit you will notice just how popular cycling vacations are here.

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