Situated off the west of Scotland the Western Isles are a unique, and incredibly beautiful, group of islands. Named ‘na h-Eileanan Siar’ in the Gaelic (the native language), the Western Isles consist of more than 200 of which only a small percentage are inhabited. The main inhabited islands are the Isle of Lewis, Harris, Barra, North and South Uist. The area’s economy has, in the last few decades, become more reliant on the tourist trade, which, rather luckily, has been increasing steadily for many years.
A stretch of treacherous water, known as the Minch, separates the Western Isles from the Scottish mainland. The dramatic scenes of the West coast of the islands has been shaped, over a massive period of time, by the constant effects of the North Atlantic ocean. The islands were one of the first areas of the United Kingdom to become inhabited and they are made from some of the oldest rock to be found on earth, which makes the Western Isles extremely interesting to geologists, archaeologists and naturalists alike.
The Western Isles are home to unique flora and fauna which, in many cases, is extremely rare. The islands are one of the few places on earth where you can find the type of ground known as ‘machair’ which is the fertile ground found at the edge of the sand. The machair has a fragile ecosystem which features a wealth of wildflowers fed by the regular top dressing of nutrient rich shell sand. Carpets of different colors decorate the ground for miles.
The Western Isles seem to continually provide new sites of special interest, especially to archaeologists. One thing you will notice when traveling across the islands is the incredible number of archaeological sites, especially standing stones and stone circles. The most famous site is the stone circle at Calanais which is unique in Europe as it has four avenues forming a shape like a crucifix. It is worth noting at this point that a recent Western Isles Council policy dictates the naming of places should be in the Gaelic language (with English translations below on road signs).
The Isle of Lewis is not widely known for it’s beauty as many think it to consist mainly of barren moors. However these moors provide important habitats for some very important, and often endangered, species of animals and many birds. Furthermore the coast of Lewis, especially along the west coast, is absolutely gorgeous and it sometimes reminds me of Cornwall as it was before it was flooded with tourists. There are a number of sandy beaches, towards the south west, that are considered by some to be the finest of beaches in the Western Isles.
Of course I have saved the best until last. The Western Isles have some of the most incredible scenery in Scotland. While many consider the Isle of Lewis to consist mainly of barren moorland nothing could be further from the truth. While much of the center of the island is indeed mainly flat moors, they have a unique quality and provide a very important habitat for some of our most rare bird life. It is around the coast that Lewis really shines with the west coast having some really breathless beaches and wonderful countryside almost, at times, resembling Cornwall in the south of England.
Accommodation in the Western Isles is always of the highest quality. Not only are the rooms always spotless and extremely comfortable the hosts are always the most friendly, easy going, and extremely helpful people you are ever likely to meet. This is more noticeable in the guest house accommodation but even in the largest hotels the hospitality is flawless and most memorable.