Hebrides Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Hebrides

Welcome to the Hebrides

A short 30 mile hop from the North West Coast of Scotland you’ll find a chain of islands around 140 miles long and fringed by empty sandy bays, unspoilt natural wonders, wildlife and warm welcoming smiles from the Hebridean Gaels.  In short a stunning location for your cheap cottage holiday.

The Isles, including Lewis, Harris, Uist, Barra, Eriskay, Taransay, Scalpay and Berneray, offer a wealth of get-a-way-from-it-all tranquillity and plenty of outdoors adventure within a stunning landscape dotted with sea and fresh water lochs.  These islands seem made for outdoor enjoyment, plus lots of traditional music, arts and crafts attracting visitors from all over the world.  For the experienced or first timer there’s sailing, canoeing and surfing, plus abseiling, climbing, fishing and bird watching.  Take a boat trip to spot seals, dolphins and whales in the crystal clear waters; watch wild otters and deer while spotting puffins or buzzards as they lazily circle high above.

Lewis is the largest of the Isles, its main port Stornoway is a vibrant community of over 6,000 with lots of great pubs, clubs, restaurants and amenities as well as annual festivals and regular cedilahs.  You’ll also find many important archaeological sites including Neolithic ‘Callanish Stones,’ (older than the Egyptian Pyramids) and the North Atlantic swell on Lewis’s west coast also offers some of the best surf in Europe!

Harris, the second largest isle (but actually connected to Lewis), plays host to mountains, miles of golden sandy beaches, moorland and fertile meadows.  Discover castles, great golfing and fantastic salmon and trout fishing.  North Uist beloved of HRH Prince Charles is home to RSPB Balranald nature reserve.  On each island you’ll find something special to savour and enjoy – which will be your favourite?

Things to do in the Hebrides

Heritage lovers head for the Neolithic ‘Callanish Stones, the Pictish Carloway Broch, Norse mill house and the restored Blackhouse Village on Lewis, where you can experience traditional activities and past islanders.  On the beach try your hand at controlling a power kite, feel the sea spray on your face sailing and kayaking, and explore the rich coastal waters spotting dolphins and sea birds by way of the many boat operators based in Stornoway.  Tee off for some great golf on courses around the isles and enjoy a spot of beach combing on the Uig sands, regarded as the best beach on Lewis

Lewis and Harris are home to quite possibly the best salmon and trout fishing that you’ll find in the whole of Scotland.  In total the Hebrides have over 2 000 fishable lochs and many tidal rivers where 7 -10 lb salmon catches are the norm. You’ll also find brown trout, Arctic char and ferox trout.

Have your very own castaway experience on spectacular and uninhabited Taransay, two miles off the coast of Harris, location for the popular BBC fly on the wall documentary ‘Castaway 2000’.  Take a light plane trip to the Isle of Barra where you land on the beach and a boat trip to St Kilda, home to some of the largest seabird colonies in Europe (take a hat).  A great way to see the islands is from the saddle of your bike; lap up the empty roads and, as you can imagine, take on some pretty challenging off road cycling too.

With their ancient myths, vibrant communities and all year round events, activities, festivals and laid back approach, the Hebrides is a very special place and offers the makings of a truly memorable cottage holiday break.