Top 10 things to do in the Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides are a chain of islands on Scotland’s far west, with white beaches, Gaelic culture, standing stones and Atlantic light. Ferries link them to the mainland.
- 1
Calanais Standing Stones
📍 Calanais, LewisHistory, stonesA cross-shaped stone circle on Lewis, about 5,000 years old.
- 2
Luskentyre Beach
📍 HarrisBeach, sceneryA wide white beach with turquoise water on Harris.
- 3
Isle of Barra and Kisimul Castle
📍 CastlebayIsland, historyA castle on a rock in the bay at Castlebay, reached by boat.
- 4
Barra Airport beach
📍 BarraQuirky, travelA beach used as the runway for flights from Glasgow, depending on the tide.
- 5
Blackhouse Village at Gearrannan
📍 LewisHistory, villageA restored village of traditional blackhouses on the Lewis coast.
- 6
Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean
📍 StornowayFree, historyA castle with a museum including the Lewis Chessmen.
- 7
Harris Tweed
📍 Harris and LewisCraft, shoppingVisit weavers and shops for the famous cloth, made on the islands.
- 8
Eriskay and Uist
📍 UistIslands, beachesQuiet islands with machair flowers, wildlife and long beaches.
- 9
St Kilda
📍 West of HarrisWildlife, remoteA remote World Heritage archipelago with huge seabird colonies. Boat trips only in good weather.
- 10
Butt of Lewis
📍 Ness, LewisCoast, lighthouseThe northern tip of Lewis, with a lighthouse and cliffs.
Where to base yourself
Last checked: October 2026.