EXPLORE 2020-2021 the outer hebrides na h-eileanan an iar visitscotland.com Contents 2 The Outer Hebrides at a glance 4 Culture & history 6 Paradise islands 8 Outdoor activities 10 Creative islands 12 Natural larder 14 Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 16 What’s on celebrcelebratingating3030yeyearsars 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information MacLean’MacLean’ssBakeryBakery&&ButcButchershers 24 Places to visit ServingServingdeliciousdeliciousbreads,breads,pastriespastries&& Welcome to… 33 Leisure activities oatcakes fresh from our bakery, along with a 34 Shopping oatcakes fresh from our bakery, along with a OpeningOpeningHours:Hours: full range of meat & poultry prepared by our 37 Food & drink full range of meat & poultry prepared by our MonMon9.30am9.30amtoto1pm1pm the outer expertexpertButcButchers.hers. 40 Tours TuTuesestotoFrFrii9.30am9.30amtoto5.30pm5.30pm hebrides 42 Transport UacUachdarhdar, ,IsleIsleofofBenbecula,Benbecula,HS7HS75L5LYY SatSat9.30am9.30amtoto4pm4pm Fàilte gu Na 44 Events & Festivals t:t:0187001870602659602659e:e:enquiries@[email protected] photogrphotographaphy:y:OuterOuterHebridesHebridesToTourism/Leilaurism/LeilaAngusAngus h-Eileanan an iar 45 Accommodation 50 Regional maps Welcome to the edge of the world. Just getting to the Outer Hebrides is an adventure. This idyllic island chain sits in the wild blue Atlantic Ocean 30 miles off the west coast of Scotland. Here you can wander ee g along pristine beaches and remote mountain paths in one of STST PPPPiN Britain’s last remaining wildernesses. Among the breathtaking scenery and amazing wildlife, you’ll find friendly towns and villages with a rich and vibrant culture. This is a land steeped in ancient history, where you can get close to 4,000-year-old standing stones and visit abandoned islands. Cover: The Calanais Standing Listen to the calls of thousands of visiting birds, Stones, Isle of Lewis smell the peat smoke in a traditional Above image: Ness Beach, blackhouse and taste the rare flavours of an Isle of Lewis island whisky. Come and see why Scotland’s SSTT N e Highlands & Islands were named a top region Credits: © VisitScotland. in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019. Kenny Lam, Neil McIntyre, R ee S T A U R A N T Paul Tomkins, Richard Elliot 20OHG aararaisedisedlicensedlicensedrestaurrestaurantant R S T A U R A N T ananinformalinformalcafécaféareaarea OpeningOpeningHours:Hours: Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Highland News & Media (HNM). Balvanich, Benbecula, Western Isles Balvanich, Benbecula, Western Isles Mon to Sat 11am to 8pm Disclaimer APS / VS / HNM have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for t: 01870 603377 e: [email protected] Mon to Sat 11am to 8pm and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / HNM have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, t: 01870 603377 e: [email protected] Sun 12pm to 6pm they cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / HNM recommend that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of Sun 12pm to 6pm the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / HNM accept no responsibility for www.eatdrinkhebrides.co.uk TheSteppingStoneRestaurant any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / HNM www.eatdrinkhebrides.co.uk TheSteppingStoneRestaurant photography: accept no responsibility for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link and exclude all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained Book online - www.steppingstonerestaurant.setmore.com Outer Hebrides Tourism/LeilaphotogrAngusaphy: in an external link. APS / VS / HNM also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual Book online - www.steppingstonerestaurant.setmore.com Outer Hebrides Tourism/Leila Angus contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2020. 2 THE OUTER HEBRIDES OU KN Highlights Y O D W ' Surf, snorkel or explore the I ? D coast around Barra from a At the height of summer, the kayak and you might see Outer Hebrides seals, dolphins and basking enjoy 22 hours sharks. Contact Barra Surf of daylight. and Coastal Adventures. w w om ' Learn how traditional peat- w.v .c isitscotland smoked salmon is prepared before sampling it yourself at Hebridean Smokehouse on North Uist. ' Sample the sugar-kelp infused Isle of Harris Gin, produced from the island’s first legal distillery. ' Dress like a native in the world-famous Harris Tweed and Knitwear. Don’t miss... ' Tasting the exquisite local shellfish throughout the the outer hebrides Outer Hebrides such as lobsters, scallops, crabs, mussels and oysters. at a glance ' Savouring a dram of single malt whisky from the Na h-Eileanan an iar Abhainn Dearg Distillery Stornoway Harbour, Isle of Lewis in Uig, the most westerly aig aon sealladh distillery in Scotland – and the oldest (legal!) whisky Which island will you visit first? There are 15 inhabited islands, all with their own unique North Uist South Uist distillery in the Outer character, and hundreds of uninhabited isles and skerries. Each is a treasure trove of adventure Peace is here in abundance amid Enjoy more than 20 miles of Hebrides. the island’s long stretches of sand, brilliant white sand beaches, and discovery. You could step back in time at one of Barra’s 83 archaeological sites, explore the ' Museum nan Eilean at Lews peat bogs and countless small fresh play Askernish’s ‘lost golf course’ mountain peaks of Harris or go birdwatching on North Uist. Castle offers an interactive lochs. Visit the RSPB Balranald created by ‘Old’ Tom Morris or explanation of the history and Nature Reserve to search for the visit the vast Loch Druidibeg Lewis Harris St Kilda culture of the Outer Hebrides elusive corncrake and see the Nature Reserve, which supports a Lewis is the northern section of North Harris is a crumpled land of The majestic islands of St Kilda are alongside a stunning island’s most notable historical large colony of greylag geese and the single island known as Lewis imposing hills and peaks, formed one of the most special places on exhibition of unique objects sites including the 18ft high hundreds of different plant species. and Harris – the largest island in from some of the oldest rocks on the planet. You will be awed by the dating from prehistory to chambered cairn, Barpa Langass. Scotland. Here you can travel over the planet – 3 billion years old and highest sea cliffs in the UK (1,410ft) Barra the present day, including atmospheric moorland dotted counting. On the West coast, you and deafened by the cacophony of Benbecula You won’t visit a more dramatically six of the original Lewis with sparkling freshwater lochans, can paddle on some of the most seabirds. The islands lie 40 miles This flat island has beautiful west sited stronghold than medieval Chessmen pieces, the single to an epic coastline of steep cliffs spectacular beaches of Britain – out in the Atlantic west of North coast beaches backed by lush Kisimul Castle in Castlebay. Its greatest archaeological find and spellbinding beaches. Visit they really do rival those of the Uist and life here was tough – the machair, the low-lying fertile plain mighty walls rise sheer from a in Scotland. the magnificent Calanais Standing Caribbean and Thailand. Look out inhabitants abandoned their typical of the Outer Hebrides. Visit rocky islet in the bay. Enjoy the ' A walk along a secluded Stones and explore Stornoway, the for seals at Loch Flodabay or tee up homes forever in 1930. the 14th century castle ruin at remarkable scenery of one of the white sandy beach on the island’s charming main settlement for golf at Scarista on the edge of Borve and the Heritage Centre in beaches such as Tangasdale, or Isle of Berneray, where the and the largest town in the Outer the Atlantic. Castlebay. cycle or walk around this small but only noise is the sound of Hebrides. beautiful island. the waves and the birds VISITSCOTLAND.COM VISITSCOTLAND.COMoverhead. 4 THE OUTER HEBRIDES OU KN Y O D W I ? D The 900-year-old Lewis Chessmen were carved from walrus ivory. w w om w.v .c isitscotland Highlights ' It’s a short but spectacular boat trip to Kisimul Castle, Barra, perched on a rocky island in Castlebay. ' Step back in time at Bosta Iron Age House, Bosta, Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis. This reconstructed dwelling was culture inspired by the remains of real Iron Age houses exposed & history after a storm. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Isle of Lewis ' Get a glimpse of island life cultar & eachdraidh in a restored traditional crofting township at Our ancestors first roamed over the beautiful Outer Hebrides 9,000 years ago. It wasn’t long before The Lewis Chessmen, Museum nan Eilean at Lews Castle, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Gearrannan Blackhouse they were making their mark on the landscape, and when you come here you’ll feel history is a Village, Lewis. living, breathing part of life. You can see it in the historical attractions and prehistoric relics, and hear it in the language and stories of the people. Don’t miss... ' It’s hard to imagine a more The whole of Lewis is one giant Museum nan Eilean is an exciting heritage centre. Find out about the beautiful setting for a stone treasure trove, so rich is the island museum and public archive in islanders’ changing lifestyles, from circle than that of Pobull with archaeological gems left the leafy grounds of Lews Castle, maritime and crofting to home life Fhinn, on North Uist.