//
Archipelago and council area off the west coast of mainland Scotland
Photo: W. L. Tarbert, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Outer Hebrides are the most westerly islands of the Hebrides, west of the Scottish Highlands. They're sparsely populated with poor soil and few resources; historically they were in separate local government areas, which hindered their development and culture. But during the 20th century much of the island chain was linked by road causeways, their air and ro-ro ferry links improved, and they became the combined local government entity of the Western Isles (Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar). In 2021 their population was 26,830.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Western Isles Overland Route
This is a trail up the island chain from Vatersay to Stornoway, taking about 12 days to hike. It is also possible to cycle the route.
By boat
Calmac car ferries sail throughout the Hebrides. Buses run from Glasgow to the mainland ferry ports, and trains run to Oban and Mallaig. The routes are:
By bus
Buses reach all corners but are sparse M-Sa with nothing on a Sunday.
By road
Some visitors bring their own car, but it's a long drive to reach the mainland ferry ports. Even from Glasgow or Edinburgh, you need an overnight stop before joining the ferry.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Balivanich · Regional · BEB
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Outer Hebrides and United Kingdom.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsA complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.