INTRODUCTION
It was during the period when I toured the Isle of Skye with a group of friends when I ventured into the Outer Hebrides, which is the main destination for a few of us. We are all interested to get into places where most tourists will miss.
The Outer Hebrides are a strings of islands, stretching for over 200 km from north to south, providing a perfect shield to the north west cost of Scotland from the wild Atlantic Ocean. The weather is extremely bad, not suitable for tourists who want to have the sun as company. I was told that for 2/3 of the year, the Outer Hebrides is raining, meaning just 1/3 of the year when it don't rain.
The Gaelic language of Scotland is easily heard in this part of the world. It was considered as one of the last few area in the whole of Scotland where the language is still spoken.
TRANSPORTATION
The Outer Hebrides is served by 3 main airports, namely in Stornoway on Lewis, and also on Benbecula and Barra. Regular flights are available from Glasgow, but fares are rather costly in my opinions.
CalMac, a ferry provider, provides ferry services from Ullapool, Uig, Mallaig and Oban to a few destinations in the Outer Hebrides like Stornoway, Tarbert, LochMaddy, Lochboisdale and CastleBay. I am not sure which departure port goes to which arrival port, but the information can be readily available at the Internet.
As for Buses and Trains, there are no such services available in the Outer Hebrides. But they serve as a very good and cheap means to get to the ferry terminals for a transfer.
As for ourselves, we took a car ferry from Uig, in Isle of Skye, to Lochmaddy on the North Uist. The whole journey, including car fees, cost us about 70 pounds if I am not wrong, and it takes about 2 hours.
From Lochmaddy, I took another ferry to Tarbert on Harris. Can't remember how much it cost, but it is quite reasonable.
From Tarbert, we took a ferry back to Uig, from where we proceed home.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
Like the Isle of Skye, food and accommodation is simple and rather reasonable is pricing.
You might not be able to find food everywhere in Harris or in North Uist. It is advisable to pack up some food before going for a day trip around the island.
As for accommodation, B&B seems to be the most popular choice available, together with Youth Hostel. But the main problem is their accessibility, most B&B is far away, and could only be access by transportation, either by car or bicycle.
MAIN ATTRACTION
Lochmaddy, North Uist
In the island of North Uist, she was covered with Lochs, and traveling along the west coast, you will find many fascinating beaches. From the north, you can catch the beautiful view of the mountains of the Harris.
In the city of Lochmaddy, it was boring. Basically nothing that worth any of our time. But it serves as a very good place for a simple meal, before driving off again for some more scenery actions.
Traveling a few miles south west of Lochmaddy is the Bharpa Langas. You will find numerous remains of the Neolithic on the Uist, but the most famous of all is still the Bharpa Langas, believed to be over 5000 years old. It is an amazing figure to declare, though I have doubt in it.
Tarbet, Harris
The island of Harris is my favorite of the Outer Hebrides. It has the most spectacular scenery I have come across in the whole of Scotland. Beautiful mountains, beaches, expanses of machair, and weird rocky hills, and coastlines make up the whole of Harris.
Like Lochmaddy, Tarbet is just another facility town. Nothing much in the city, and does not deserve any attention.
Much of our time is spend traveling around the island, stretching from North Harris to South Harris. Road condition is bad, but is still acceptable if you travel slow and appreciate the outside scenery.
The only worth attention, other than the nature, is the St Clement's Church. A simple church, but beautiful. Worth to have a break there.
SUMMARY
The Outer Hebrides is a very beautiful place. It will never be a wrong choice if you love nature. Everything except the towns is worth appreciating.
There are several other islands in the Outer Hebrides, which I did not visit. And understand from the locals, they are as beautiful.
