What to do and see in The Hebrides, Scotland: The Best Outdoor Activities

March 1, 2022 Marissa Gamble

This beautiful archipelago, where Scottish Gaelic is still spoken, is divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides and stretches the length of Scotland's west coast. The most visited and largest of the Western Isles is the brooding Isle of Skye, a short ferry ride or bridge away from the mainland. Islay, home to prolific whisky production, is another gem. Highlights of the less visited Outer Isles include stark Lewis and the town of Stornoway, rugged Harris, with sandy beaches and tranquil Barra.
Restaurants in The 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. Kiloran Beach

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

5.0 based on 122 reviews

Kiloran Beach

Reviewed By ellenkw2015 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Stunning is the only way to describe this beautiful beach. The sun was shining, the sea was blue and it felt like a little bit of paradise on earth.

4. 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.

5. St. Columba's Bay

Scotland
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 84 reviews

St. Columba's Bay

Reviewed By letitiap_11

Visiting Iona is quite magical, there is so much to see on such a small island, the abbey the hotels and the restaurants and little cafes really cater for all your needs!

6. Ardalanish Bay Beach

A849, Bunessan PA67 6DR Scotland
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 30 reviews

Ardalanish Bay Beach

7. Sound of Sleat Beach

Sleat Scotland
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 60 reviews

Sound of Sleat Beach

Reviewed By Catherinetas

The walk undulates through sheep paddocks and is wet in places, becoming quite braided and boggy once you leave the vehicle track. The beach is beautiful and in brilliant sunshine on the day we visited was reminiscent of the Aegean. Although there were numerous family groups and couples passed along the way the beach itself wasn't crowded and it was lovely enjoying a swim and a picnic before walking back to the car. Lovely on a fine day.

8. Traigh Lingeigh Beach

Lochmaddy Scotland
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Traigh Lingeigh Beach

Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom

This sweep of beach rivals the best of Harris's creamy sands.On North Uist, the endless stretches are silvery white, dazzling on a sunny day.When the machair is out - the wild flower carpeted grass lands behind the beach - it is truly a photographer's paradise.The scent of the flowers is the scent of summer in the Hebrides. The Uists and Tiree form Scotland's finest Machair Islands, neighbouring Harris which I love too, has only small areas of machair in comparison. And bang next door to Lingeigh, a short walk over the dunes, lies equally stunning Hornish beach. The colour of the water is ever-changing, emerald, turquoise, opalescent....sunsets from here over Harris are gorgeous. The track down to the beach has got worse over the years and needs care if you are not to punch a hole in the sump though high clearance vehicles will be fine.

9. Macleod's Maidens Trail

Duirinish Peninsula Scotland http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/skye/macleodsmaidens.shtml
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Macleod's Maidens Trail

10. 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

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