The Isle of Harris & Lewis are the two Islands connected at the very top of the Outer Hebrides. Getting here is not as hard as you may think, you can fly directly to Stornoway from cities across Scotland. Alternatively if you’re in the Scottish highlands or travelling around the Inner Hebrides, a ferry is a great option. Caledonian MacBrayne run regular ferries which you can take alone or with a car or bike; from Ullapool to Stornoway or from Uig on the Isle of Skye to Tarbert in Harris.

Harris offers amazing nature and wildlife and a rich heritage of weaving evident in the famous Harris Tweed. South Harris offers two strikingly different coast lines. Driving down and around the Isle you will notice the barren rocky almost lunar landscape on the east coast where you can find a herd of seals or rafts of sea otters seeking refuge from the Atlantic Ocean. While on the western coast, it’s a completely different landscape of fertile machair and white sand beaches cradled by turquoise waters. For a minute you might wonder how you have been transported to the Caribbean, but the fresh air will remind you that you are still in Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. A great way to experience this beautiful contradiction is by embarking on the Coffin Route, walking from one side to the other. Starting in the acidic desolate east and walking towards the lusher landscape of the west.

If you’re into hill walking, on Northern Harris lies the highest summit in the Outer Hebrides, An Cliseam (Clisham) a Corbett, and less than 400 feet of being classes as a Munro. It’s a great way to take in the beauty of the landscape and if you’re lucky meet some of the local resident eagles and hares. The summit is notorious for the bouldering rocks so you must be careful and attempt it on a clear day fully prepared. After descending the summit, you can reward yourself with some local Harris Gin.

To get around, you can hire a car or use a local bus service, but driving around is a great way to explore both Isles. Warch this video for tips on driving on Harris.

The Isle of Lewis is more populated than its southern neighbour and is home to the Calanais Standing Stones, older than Stonehenge and dating back to the Bronze Age. Uig Sands is a beautiful sand beach where you can walk for miles and take in the fresh Atlantic breeze while enjoying the soft white sands.

Crofting culture is big on Lewis, a visit to the preserved thatched Blackhouse at Arnol is a good way to get a glimpse into this way of Island life. People inhabited Blackhouses until as recently as 1964. There are many other ruins at the site, not as well preserved, a visit to Gearannan Blackhouse village nearby will give you a feel to what life was like for rural communities on Lewis.

You can visit Abhainn Dearg Distillery, the only official Scotch Whiskey distillery in the Outer Hebrides, producing fine single malt whiskey for almost 200 years. Unlike larger distilleries on the Scottish mainland, it offers a glimpse into the production process of a local, small-scale and sustainable distillery.

The community on the Isle of Lewis is very much steeped in Gaelic myth and traditions, this is evident by a visit to the Bridge to Nowhere. In local folklore it is said that if a road ever encircles the Isle of Lewis, the whole island would be doomed. An English Lord (Leverhulme) tried to bring commerce and improve the economic security after he purchased Lewis in 1918 but was thwarted by this belief which resulted in a beautiful bridge leading to nowhere, as the workers refused to continue construction. A visit to Tolsta, not far from Stornoway to witness this and take in the magnificent views is a must. 

The Isle of Harris and Lewis offer a wonderful glimpse into Hebridean life and the sense of community that is part Gaelic culture. There are festivals that take place during the summer months and different activities to keep an eye on. The best time of the year to visit is April to September.