Outer Hebrides
3
Day Itinerary •
UK
Three days in the Outer Hebrides concentrates on the essential arc of Lewis and Harris, the two most extraordinary islands in the chain. The Callanish Standing Stones at dawn, the Gearrannan blackhouses, the most beautiful beach in Britain at Luskentyre and the Harris Tweed weavers with their remarkable looms fill three extraordinary days that feel entirely unlike anywhere else in Britain. This route stays on Lewis and Harris, exploring the extraordinary prehistoric landscape of Lewis properly and spending two full days on the remarkable beaches and crafting culture of Harris. Three days that leave wanting more is better than five rushed across too many islands.
Best Time To Visit
May to August for beaches and wildlife
Getting There
Fly to Stornoway (SYY) or ferry from Ullapool
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 170 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on beaches and coastal paths
DAY 1
LEWIS: CALLANISH, BLACKHOUSES AND ATLANTIC CLIFFS
MORNING
CALLANISH STANDING STONES
The Callanish Standing Stones are the finest prehistoric monument in Scotland, their extraordinary cruciform avenue of 50 Lewis gneiss monoliths standing in a dramatic Atlantic setting and aligned with the 18.6-year lunar standstill cycle. Built around 2900 BC, they predate Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. Visit at dawn or dusk when the light is on the stone and no other visitors are present for the most extraordinary prehistoric experience in Britain. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GEARRANNAN BLACKHOUSE VILLAGE
The Gearrannan blackhouse village is the finest restored traditional Lewis settlement, its extraordinary thatched longhouses showing the remarkable way of life that persisted here until 1974. The blackhouse tradition of sharing one long building between people and animals under a single heather-thatched roof, with no chimney and peat smoke filtering through the roof, is extraordinary. Several houses are open as a museum and the village atmosphere is outstanding. Entry approx 4 GBP. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MANGERSTA SEA STACKS AND UIG SANDS
The Mangersta sea stacks on the Atlantic coast of Lewis are the most extraordinary coastal scenery on the island. The extraordinary geometric basalt columns rising from the ocean below dramatic clifftops, the full fetch of the North Atlantic behind them and the complete absence of any other visitors combine to make it one of the finest coastal viewpoints in Scotland. The extraordinary Uig Sands beach, where the Lewis Chessmen were found in 1831, is nearby. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Calanais II and III stone circles on the same ridge as the main monument are almost always completely empty even when Callanish is busy. The views from both secondary circles back to the main monument and over Loch Roag are outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Stornoway cafe or hotel Lewis breakfast. An Lanntair arts centre cafe is excellent. | Lunch: Callanish Visitor Centre cafe Simple lunch beside the most extraordinary stones in Scotland. | Dinner: Digby Chick, Stornoway The finest restaurant in Lewis. Local seafood and Hebridean lamb.
DAY 2
HARRIS: BRITAIN'S FINEST BEACH
MORNING
LUSKENTYRE BEACH AT LOW TIDE
Luskentyre is the finest beach in Britain. Its extraordinary expanse of white shell sand, the turquoise Atlantic water changing colour with every shift of light, and the Harris mountains behind make it the most beautiful beach in the country. The beach is best at low tide when the full extent of the sand is exposed and the tidal channels between the sand bars create extraordinary patterns. Check tide times before visiting. The view from the dunes toward Taransay is remarkable. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
HARRIS TWEED WEAVERS AND LOCH SEAFORTH
The Harris Tweed weavers of Harris produce the only hand-woven cloth in the world regulated by an Act of Parliament. Visiting a working weaver near Luskentyre or Drinishader to hear the extraordinary sound of the traditional Hattersley loom and watch the cloth being created is one of the finest Hebridean experiences. The Luskentyre Harris Tweed company near the beach is outstanding. The drive along Loch Seaforth on the east coast of Harris is remarkable. Free to visit. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SCARISTA BEACH AND THE ATLANTIC SUNSET
Scarista on the Atlantic coast of Harris, 15km south of Tarbert, is the second finest beach in the Outer Hebrides and almost always completely empty. The extraordinary white sand faces the full Atlantic with the Sound of Harris and the distant Uists on the horizon. The Scarista House hotel, one of the finest small hotels in Scotland, overlooks the beach. The Atlantic sunset from the dunes at Scarista is the most extraordinary light in the Hebrides. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Seallam Visitor Centre at Northton near Scarista has the most remarkable genealogy and natural history collection in the Outer Hebrides. For visitors with Hebridean family connections the remarkable archive is outstanding. Entry approx 3 GBP.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tarbert Harris hotel Early start for Luskentyre at low tide. | Lunch: Picnic on Luskentyre beach Eat on the finest beach in Britain. | Dinner: Pierhouse Restaurant, Tarbert Local Harris scallops and the finest Hebridean seafood.
DAY 3
HARRIS: HUSHINISH AND THE REMOTE WEST
MORNING
HUSHINISH AND THE REMOTE HARRIS PENINSULA
Hushinish at the end of the long single-track road on the northwest coast of Harris is the most extraordinarily remote beach on the island, its remarkable white sand and turquoise water facing the extraordinary island of Scarp, abandoned in 1971. The drive from Tarbert through the most extraordinary Harris landscape of ancient gneiss, Atlantic lochs and open sky is itself one of the finest drives in the Hebrides. The extraordinary emptiness is the finest Hushinish experience. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
AMHUINNSUIDHE CASTLE AND THE RIVER
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on the west coast of Harris, passed on the drive to Hushinish, is the most remarkable private castle in the Outer Hebrides, its extraordinary baronial architecture reflected in the sea loch and the remarkable salmon river in front of the castle gates giving a combination of grandeur and wildness unlike anywhere else in Harris. The castle grounds road passes the extraordinary waterfall where the salmon leap in autumn. Free to drive past. Drive: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
TARBERT AND THE FINAL HARRIS VIEWS
A final afternoon in Tarbert, the finest small town in the Outer Hebrides, and on the remarkable viewpoints above the narrows that give the town its name. The extraordinary view of East Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert from the hill above the town, the remarkable ferry terminal and the extraordinary Harris landscape stretching in every direction make Tarbert the finest farewell to Lewis and Harris. The ferry or flight home departs from Tarbert or Stornoway. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary An Clisham summit at 799 metres, the highest point in the Outer Hebrides and visible from almost everywhere in Harris, is reached by a 3-hour walk from the A859. The view from the summit over all of Lewis, Harris and the Uists is outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tarbert hotel Final Hebrides breakfast before the Hushinish drive. | Lunch: Hushinish picnic Eat on the most remote beach in Harris. | Dinner: Final dinner, Tarbert or Stornoway Farewell to the finest island chain in Britain.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Stornoway, Night 1 Lewis base for Callanish and the west coast. Approx 80 to 140 GBP. Tarbert Harris, Nights 2 to 3 Harris base for Luskentyre, Scarista and Hushinish. Approx 80 to 150 GBP. Booking ahead Harris accommodation is limited. Book at least 3 months ahead in summer.
Top Tips
1. The Callanish Stones at dawn with nobody else there is the finest prehistoric experience in Britain.
2. Luskentyre is most beautiful at low tide. Check tide times before planning your visit.
3. Lewis and Harris observe the Sabbath strictly. Plan so you are not travelling or needing fuel on Sunday.
4. Harris Tweed weavers near Luskentyre welcome visitors. The sound of the loom is extraordinary.
5. The drive to Hushinish on the western coast of Harris is itself one of the finest in the Hebrides.
6. Atlantic weather changes rapidly. Pack waterproofs. A wet Hebrides day is still extraordinary.
Total Budget
145 to 245 GBP/day