Wild and wonderful Western Isles (Outer Hebrides)

Name: eilidh_s

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Product:	Outer Hebrides
Date:	03/05/07 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, friendly people

Disadvantages: Remote and wild

Innse Gall, Nah-Eileanan an Iar, the Long Island, whatever you call them, the name always conjures up images of pure wilderness, wild hairy Vikings running up and down the peaty moorland and the inevitable rain. Well it is that and so much more.

As it is the last inhabited post between the UK and America, the islands are subject to extremes of both weather and isolation. It acts as a shelterbelt for the West coast of Scotland, prtecting it from the worst of the gales and the seas, and in that fact lies the islands vunerability.

They are totally dependant on the ferry and air services for the tourism which provides the islands with one of their main sources of income and food and basic life essentials, which are subject to the weather and sea conditions.

The islands have a strong reputation for both academics and the high schools produce an large amount of well educated students, many of whom go on to higher education. They also have a strong reputation in the merchant navy and are renowned as seafarers.

Many of the furthest outposts of the British Empire owe their success to the intrepid islanders who were thrown of their land to make way for sheep and who went out and explored and colonised Canada, Australia and all other manner of countries.

This has led to a rich tapestry of history which can be seen from the Butt of Lewis to Barra Head. There are ruins of old blackhouses and brochs dotted all around the landscape, numerous standing stones and even the lewis Chessmen which were voted as one of the 10 most important archeological finds in the UK.

The landscape of the islands is as varying as it is in the mainland, from the flat and boggy Isle of Lewis to the mountainous Harris and the lochy Uists. The colours of the heather are wild and vivid in the summer and dark and sombre in the winter months, the long white and unspoiled beaches and huge surf breaks are a surfers paradise and thanks to the Gulf Stream the waters around the islands are pleasantly warm.

To fully experience the islands you must come and visit them yourself. Fly in to Barra and travel north exploring the islands as you go.

Summary: come and see for yourself