What to do and see in Outer Hebrides, Scotland: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

July 25, 2021 Mikaela Didonna

Discover the best top things to do in Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom including Luskentyre, Eriskay Beach, Uig Sands, Scarista Beach, Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach), Huisinis Beach, Callanish Alpacas, Callanish Standing Stones, An Lanntair Gallery, Butt of Lewis Lighthouse.
Restaurants in Outer Hebrides

1. Luskentyre

Luskentyre Beach Harris Scotland
Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,055 reviews

Luskentyre

Reviewed By gillyy2014 - Norwich, United Kingdom

This is as close to heaven as you could get, it took my breath away so calming and peaceful.The white sand and crystal clear sea that just go on for miles and miles with the Harris hills as a backdrop it truely is a magical place

2. Eriskay Beach

HS8 5JJ Scotland
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 84 reviews

Eriskay Beach

Reviewed By Z6538VFrobertb - Kincardine, United Kingdom

If you are on the outer Hebrides this is a must visit. The drive over to Eriskay from Uist is amazing in itself. The beach is close to the road so very easy access. As soon as you see the beach you will see a massive white sand beach with stunning clear waters. We took wetsuits and went for a swim then had lunch after the water is refreshing and if it’s sunny it’s like the carribean.

3. Uig Sands

Scotland
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 279 reviews

Uig Sands

Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom

The whole area around the extensive Uig Sands is a must visit on any trip to Lewis.An hour or so from Stornoway but definitely Lewis's most beautiful area (along with Mangersta and Reef.) In fact this must be one of the most impressive areas in the whole of the Outer Isles. We were lucky in that the sun shone and we walked from the car park, for 20 mins to a particularly deserted part of the Uig sands (you could walk for miles all round the little bays and headlands) and had a picnic. Paradise. Beautiful pink/orange rock of the type I've seen on Iona were a gorgeous backdrop to the turquoise seas and white sands. There is a free (donation) area behind the main part of the beach, set back from the dunes, where wild camping is allowed supported by public toilets/showers. A replica large Lewis Chessman is passed while heading to the parking. Luskentyre is still to me the most beautiful area of all (and in any weather given the colours and rock/moorland there) but Uig is stunning also.

4. Scarista Beach

Scotland
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 205 reviews

Scarista Beach

Reviewed By trippingovertheglobe - London, United Kingdom

This was such an amazing beach, stunning views all around, soft white sands, and hardly anybody around. We had earlier visited Luskentyre beach, and found that to be far too busy and an unpleasant experience due to the hoards of people and human excrement everywhere. You can park just on the road side here, just before you get to Northton, and walk through the field, and into the dunes where the wonders of this beach then reveal themselves. We spent a magical and solitary couple of hours here, just marvelling at the views and solitude. We will be back

5. Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach)

Scotland
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 118 reviews

Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach)

Reviewed By nethycurl - Nethy Bridge, United Kingdom

There are many wonderful beaches in the Western Isles. The island of Lewis and Harris is home to many. Bosta beach is not nearly the largest, but is one of the loveliest, and has the added attractions of a Time and Tide Bell and the nearby attraction of a reconstructed Iron Age House.

6. Huisinis Beach

B887 Scotland https://www.virtualheb.co.uk/road-to-huisinis-isle-of-harris-western-isles/huisinis-road-harris.php
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 146 reviews

Huisinis Beach

Reviewed By MartinC209 - Sheffield, United Kingdom

We were advised to visit here by our hotel. Sadly the weather was not good with heavy rain most of the time but even so the scenery and views were spectacular on the road to get there. On a sunny day it would be simply magnificent. At the end of the drive, which takes a good 30 minutes I would say, is the beach which is beautiful (even in the rain). There is a small camper van campsite there.

7. Callanish Alpacas

20, Callanish HS2 9DY Scotland http://www.callanishalpacas.co.uk
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Callanish Alpacas

Callanish Alpacas remains open for drop-in visits/informal tours but not currently any booked feeding slots for practical and safety reasons. We have 6 female alpacas and are expecting baby alpacas between mid-April and early June! We also have 32 unusual looking chickens, a peacock and peahen, 7 rare breed four-horned Hebridean sheep, Dougal “the tour guide” sheep, 3 smiling goats and 55 ducks of various comical and striking breeds! All 100+ animals have names! Please note that the whereabouts of the animals is weather-dependent. There is no charge but a voluntary donation towards the cost of keeping the alpacas and other animals is welcomed. Mollans Takeaway and Craft Shop are on site. For further details and opening hours search Mollans.

Reviewed By Hereward102

Finally made it out to Callanish Alpacas with the family. A really great experience. A warm welcome and tour of the mini-farm, the kids loved feeding and petting the animals. We then had a delicious lunch at the Mollans shed with an equally warm welcome from Rachel and Julie. Highly recommended and a great way to spend a few hours with the kids.

8. Callanish Standing Stones

Scotland +44 1851 621422 http://www.callanishvisitorcentre.co.uk
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,608 reviews

Callanish Standing Stones

This ancient monument is one of the most significant archaeological spots in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.

Reviewed By naturequeen - Huddersfield, United Kingdom

The time to visit this if it were possible would be alone in the evening with you and the stones for company. Set in beautiful scenery and quite extraordinary it is well worth a visit when you are in this part of Scotland. Don't go to Scotland and not visit here. Great gift shop but the cafe was packed and very long queues because of its popularity so would suggest an "out of season" or out of school holidays if you don't want to be squeezed out by the other tourists visiting here.

Kenneth Street, Stornoway HS1 2DR Scotland +44 1851 703307 http://lanntair.com/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 243 reviews

An Lanntair Gallery

Reviewed By JillG411 - London, United Kingdom

This may only be a small museum, but I loved all the activities and films that went alongside the displays. All of Harris and Lewis life was represented here, from films in Gaelic to exhibits on tradtional jobs and crafts. Local people had been interviewed on different aspects of culture in the Outer Hebrides and their responses were shown in film clips, which I found fascinating. I loved the film explanation of the Lewis chessmen and the exhibit of some chessmen. I have decided to go to the British Museum and see some more of them based on this visit! There was a game about trying to work out what the Gaelic placename was in English to help the postman deliver his letters- good for the young and not so young! The exhibitions are housed in a modern, airy building with a long corridor showing views of the sea - and a coffee shop to recover from the showers. All in all, a very pleasant visit.

10. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

Scotland http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Butt-of-Lewis
Excellent
52%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 483 reviews

Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

Reviewed By PatriciaBremner - Gryon, Switzerland

This was a spectacular visit and well worth the drive to reach it. The coastline is amazing and full of bird life and the cliffs and rocks are breathtaking. If traveling with children it is worth noting that this is a dangerous location and children should not be allowed to run around unsupervised because of the easy access to cliff tops and steep falls.

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