Frequently Asked Questions

To find out more about Culture, Fishing, Golf, Walking, Cycling, Outdoor, Film, Roots (genealogy) and Wildlife in the Hebrides, run your cursor over the logo menu at the top of this page to link in to nine websites dedicated to each! You'll find specific FAQs for each topic within each of the web sites.

The Hebrides is a chain of islands 30 miles off the North West coast of Scotland; part of Great Britain, at the very edge of Europe! Approximately 120 miles in length, the Hebrides lie between 57 and 58 degrees North and although they are surprisingly close to the mainland they feel like a world away once you are here.

The North Atlantic Drift keeps the water temperatures around our islands relatively high. This year-round current which originates in the Caribbean gives us relatively mild temperatures which means it very rarely goes below freezing in the winter and that we don’t experience the uncomfortable heat of some inland locations in the summer. Cool sea breezes and clear blue skies characterise our summers and although the winters are mild you can occasionally experience some of the wildest and stormiest gales around. Find out more in our Weather section.

There is year round activity in the Hebrides and with our mild climate there is never a bad time to visit, but depending on what you are looking for, some months of the year are better than others. Weather-wise, you will get the best temperatures between May and September but the winter months are equally beautiful as you experience the full force of the Atlantic pounding on our shores. There is year-round wildlife activity from sea and moor land birds in the summer to whales, seals and dolphins in the winter. On the social side June, July and August are the busiest with lots of cultural music festivals, dances and events happening. The Christmas and New Year period is a fun one with dances and fireworks displays. On the activity side, the surf gets better from September onwards and pursuits like golfing, walking, fishing (especially sea angling) and film trails are available all year round.

From walking the hills to surfing the waves, we have it all. Click on the following links for information about things to do: www.culturehebrides.com
www.wildlifehebrides.com
www.walkhebrides.com
www.cyclehebrides.com
www.golfhebrides.com
www.fishhebrides.com
www.rootshebrides.com
www.filmhebrides.com
www.outdoorhebrides.com

See our Events section for a listing of the major events which take place in the islands.

You can get around the Hebrides by bus, car, on foot, by bike, by boat, yacht or ferry! Click here to find out more...

A common misconception about the Hebrides is that we are living in a time warp, and that we all cut peats, don’t have televisions or electricity and live in thatched houses. Although our Gaelic culture is strong, we live in a thoroughly modern and fast moving environment. The town of Stornoway has a population of over 6000 and the islands as a whole hold over 26,000 people. Our islands are at the forefront of telecommunications with some very successful businesses relocating here for the peaceful environment, dedicated workforce and great technological facilities.

Sunday observance is an important aspect of the Hebridean culture. On this day people take time to relax and reflect in their peaceful surroundings. The ferries don’t sail to the islands of Lewis and Harris and most shops throughout the islands remain closed. In the Southern Isles of the Hebrides and in the main towns of Tarbert on Harris and Stornoway in Lewis, hotels and some restaurants are now open for meals on Sunday evenings, and locals and visitors alike are free to enjoy the great outdoors any day of the week.

It is courteous to respect the importance that Sunday has to many of the locals here and they in turn will respect how you choose to spend it. Local churches welcome visitors to their congregations and you may be able to hear the beautiful sound of Gaelic psalm singing.

At the last census 70% of islanders were Gaelic speakers and it is used throughout the islands everyday. For many of the older generations it was their first language when they were growing up and they had to learn to speak English at school. Everyone is fluent in English in the islands but there are plenty opportunities to hear Gaelic spoken. Firstly, the numerous feis (Gaelic music festivals) and the local mods (Gaelic singing competitions) provide a great chance to hear the very best of Gaelic talent that the islands have produced. If you are learning to speak the language and would like to immerse yourself, then you could stay in a Gaelic speaking Bed and Breakfast, and chat to your host in the native tongue. If you would just like to hear the Gaelic lilt in passing then you are guaranteed to experience it as the fishing boats come in, in many local shops and at community events such as ceilidhs and the summer agricultural shows. Gaelic is generally more widely spoken in the rural areas of the islands than in the capital, Stornoway.

There are direct flights to Stornoway from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh and to Barra and Benbecula from Glasgow. The flight times are as follows:

For ferry times please visit www.calmac.co.uk

Traditionally a ceilidh was an informal social gathering in someone’s cottage, with storytelling, poetry and Gaelic singing. Now ceilidhs refer to dances or musical gatherings which take place in village halls and pubs throughout the islands. The largest ceilidhs are during the summer, often on the evening of each village’s Highland games, gala day or agricultural show. A ceilidh band usually consists of fiddles and accordions, but some also have a Clarsach (Scottish harp), guitar, drums and singer. The dancing usually centres on traditional Highland dances such as ‘Strip the Willow’, ‘The Military Two Step’ and the "St Bernard’s Waltz." These dances are great fun and can be for couples or groups. They are not hard to pick up and there are bound to be lots of locals who are more than willing to teach any beginners!

One of the world’s most desirable wool textiles in the world, Harris Tweed, is produced in the Outer Hebrides. Often associated with the country lifestyle of shooting, fishing and hunting, Harris Tweed has evolved into a fashionable and modern material which is very popular with fashion designers at the moment. Traditionally the wool was gathered from the sheep and dyed using a number of natural sources found in the islands, such as lichen, which gave the tweed its unmistakable palette. The wool was then cleaned, spun and woven in the islanders by trained weavers and their family. To obtain the prestigious mark of the Harris tweed orb, the wool must be woven in the Outer Hebrides or else it can not be called ‘real’ Harris Tweed. This material is said to last forever and you are sure to get a lifetime friend in any Harris Tweed garment you might acquire. If you would like to purchase Harris Tweed products, the following suppliers can oblige:

You can buy tailor made Harris Tweed garments at the following:

• Donald Macleod Ltd., Tel:+44(0)1859 643300, www.harris-tweed.co.uk/
• Harris Tweed Mills, Tel: +44(0)1851 703618, www.harristweedmills.co.uk
• Lewis Loom Centre, Tel: +44(0)1851 704500, www.lewisloomcenter.co.uk
• Breanish Tweed, Tel: +44(0)1851 810022, www.breanishtweed.co.uk
• Butt of Lewis Textiles, Tel: +44(0)1851 810600, www.buttoflewistextiles.co.uk

You can purchase products from the Islands online at www.hebrideancottage.co.uk
If you are looking for a more specific product the best thing to do is call the Tourist Information Centre in Stornoway on 44(0)1851 703088, or e-mail info@visithebrides.com

Peats are the traditional fuel used in the Hebrides, although coal is now more common. This fossil fuel was formed when the islands were densely covered in trees and it offers a economical fuel source to the islanders. Every house in the villages has their own peat ‘bank’ to cut. It is a great social affair to cut, stack and gather your peats, with many neighbours and friends helping out and lots of celebrations once they are home. The peat gives off a beautiful and distinct aromatic smell when they are burned and many households still stack them in a unique, meticulously well-built, structure outside their house.

The old distilleries of the islands are no longer in use and there is no whisky now produced in the Outer Herbrides, but it is in ample supply in the pubs and restaurants around the islands. However, you can sample our own "Islander Strong" and "Clansman Ale" beers from Lewis’ Hebridean Brewing Company!

The Western Isles Museum on Francis Street in Stornoway has a great historical exhibition on the islands. It tells the story of the dramatic Norse invasion which has impacted upon the cultures and the environment of the Gaels. The phone number of the museum is +44 (0)1851 709305. To find out more about our exciting history look at www.culturehebrides.com.

The islands are full of ancient historical sites which date back to Neolithic times, some discovered and some partly uncovered. The standing stones of Callanish are world famous and are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. There are many standing stone circles throughout the islands as well as Brochs (circular forts) Mills and chambered tombs and many others. To find out more have a look at www.culturehebrides.com.

To find out more about accommodation, look at our Accommodation section. If you are travelling during peak holiday periods or to a special event, it is advisable to book in advance. If you arrive without accommodation, staff in our Tourist Information Centres will be pleased to help you.

The Tourist Information Centre ( info@visithebrides.com) in Stornoway will be happy to help with any information you require about coming to the islands and will also pre-book accommodation for you if you wish. If you would like to take the stress out of organising your trip then click on our package holidays link.

Stornoway, being the Hebrides’ largest town, has the main concentration of pubs, clubs and restaurants. However, there are really good pubs and restaurants all over the islands and village halls and community centres hold regular themed evenings, from traditional Salt Herring nights, to Italian and Indian nights, and all are welcome; ceilidhs are to be found all over the islands all year round. Visitors will be surprised to find how lively it gets at the weekends here and during the summer it can be positively buzzing!

All our local estate agents are online, you can reach them at the following addresses:
www.western-isles-property.co.uk
www.anderson-macarthur.com
www.kenmacdonaldlawyers.co.uk

• The Stornoway Gazette prints weekly employment vacancies: (www.jobstoday.co.uk) telephone +44(0)1851 702687.
• The local employment office in Stornoway can be reached on +44(0)1851 763100
• You may also find useful information and help from Work Global (www.work-global.com ), the local authority (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - www.cne-siar.gov.uk) and the local enterprise company ( www.wie.co.uk )

Probably the best spot in Lewis is around the Eye Peninsula (Point). In Point, Tiumpan Head is a great place to look out for minke whales and white beaked dolphins as there is very deep water close to the land. Broadbay is good for spotting harbour porpoises as is Traigh Mhor and Garry beach. The bay at Holm from Swordale Bay in Point to Holm Island is a great place to spot Risso Dolphins, especially between August and October, when they are being most sociable.

The Sound of Barra is an excellent place to watch for dolphins and whales and Loch Roag on the West coast of Lewis is great for Orcas.

You can watch for whales at any time of the day but the best times are first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon- just before sunset. Headlands and high up viewing spots are the best way to see whales and there is marine activity on virtually all of our coasts.

Seals occur in almost all fishing ports as they follow the fishing boats in looking for scraps. They are usually quite inquisitive and they will watch you out of the corner of their eye.

The Hebrides is formed on the oldest exposed rock in the world, Lewisian Gneiss. Gneiss is mainly a grey coloured rock with coarse bands of white and dark minerals squeezed into alignment by the pressures of the earth movements. These twisted and contorted metamorphic rocks were formed over 3000 million years ago, when a local ice cap sculpted the sharp mountains and U shaped valleys of Harris and the upland parts of Lewis and Uist. In Harris the underlying rock has been exposed in many places and is scattered with erratic boulders, forming a lunar landscape, which is often referred to as 'Moonscape'.

The highest peak in the Hebrides is the Clisham at 799m in the Harris Hills: it offers a spectacular view over the whole of the island chain and across to St Kilda on a clear day. The Hebridean hills are home to plentiful Grouse, Pheasants Golden Eagles, Red Deer, Rabbits and the Hebridean Black Faced Sheep.

For information about travelling to and within the UK see the travel section in: www.britfilmcom.co.uk
Or visit:
www.visitbritain.com

The following is a list of shops that sell or hire golfing equipment:

Colin Campbell Sports LTD
Balivanich
Isle of Benbecula
HS7 5LA
Tel: 01870 602236

Sportsworld
1-3 Francis Street
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS2 2XD
Tel: 01851 705464

Stornoway Golf Club
The Castle Grounds
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
Tel: 01851 702240

For equipment hire at other courses, contact the club directly.

All visitors are welcome without reservation at all the courses throughout the islands. It is remarked on regularly that one of the most refreshing aspects of golfing in the islands is the friendly atmosphere between local and visitors. You are always welcome here and can get involved in some of the social activities which are taking place. There are usually lots of ceilidh dances and social events in the Islands especially in the summer, so go on , grab your partner!!

Although the golf itself doesn't require booking, it's always a good idea to book your accommodation ahead, particularly in the summer season.

The sheer amount of fresh water to landmass in the Outer Hebrides means that for anglers, this is a paradise for truly wild fishing. With over 6000 lochs at the last count, the Hebrides is famed for having some of the best Salmon and Trout fishing in Europe. Here you can fish crystal clear waters in a wilderness landscape and not see a single person all day.

The variety of fishing opportunities in the Hebrides is outstanding. River catchments vary from vast peat moorlands, which hold infinite still waters to rough uplands with steep rocky burns and rivers. The western Atlantic fringe consists of productive lochs on grassy machair, while the east coast (which faces the Minch) is made of Fjordic inlets fed by short spate rivers. Sea fishing can be from boat, on the rocks or by the sea pools and beach casting. You can even fish on your own deserted island if you wish to and cast yourself away to paradise. The enormity of fishing locations in the Hebrides makes any angler's fishing experience one of discovery and adventure.

We have some of the best brown / sea trout and wild salmon fishing in Scotland. There are other freshwater species such as Artic Charr, eels and sticklebacks to be caught as well. To read about salmon fishing in the Hebrides click here. To read about trout fishing in the islands please click here.

There are unlimited possibilities for sea angling around the islands you can fish from the boat or by the shore. For more about sea angling click here.

Brown trout fishing is available on all the islands in the Hebridean chain. In the northern isles of Lewis and Harris the lochs are so numerous that it is often free to fish for brown trout once you have received the estates permission. North Uist is the most famous island for brown trout and fishing here is available for a small fee. South Uist and Barra are also noted for their fine brown trout fishing. To read an in-depth account of brown trout fishing in the islands please click here.

A directory of contacts for permits is coming soon!

Although the Hebrides are famed for their incredible record breaking salmon fishing, all the salmon runs are owned and managed by fisheries, so permits and permission are required. There are salmon rivers on all the islands except Barra and Benbecula.

To read more about our wonderful salmon fishing in the Hebrides please click here.

Whether you want a fun family day out or are a serious sea angler looking for a challenge, the Hebrides has it all. As a chain of islands, the Hebrides is positioned in some of the most fertile waters in Britain and has an incredible coastline of inlets, islets and bays with views over beautiful seascapes. Sea angling is unlimited here from casting off the rocks and beaches to daylong cruises out to sea; all you need is you rod and a packed lunch!

To find out about organised sea angling trips and boat trips please click here.

Catch and release is practiced voluntarily in the Hebrides and the trend is generally becoming more popular in the Hebrides every year. Most anglers understand the importance of preserving natural wild fishing stocks for conservation and future enjoyment for all and are happy to return their catch. The fisheries of the Hebrides are managed by the estates and monitored by the Western Isles Fisheries Trust, a body that seeks to promote sustainable development. Their mission statement is:

"To maximise the benefits of the Western Isles Fishery by developing and promoting this naturally wild resource to the angling community, visiting tourists and residents of the islands in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner" Western Isles Fisheries Trust 2001.

The Western Isles Fisheries trust offer advice and guidelines on using barbless hooks, disinfecting fishing gear and much more. Contact them at:The Sawmill, Marybank, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 ODD, Tel +44 (0) 1851 703419 Fax: +44 (0)1851 703434.

Using a guide for a day is a great way to maximise your wild fishing experience and receive invaluable local knowledge from where to cast and what flies to use to where to get your nearest pint! A list of fishing guides available is coming soon!

You do require permission to fish for all freshwater species in the Hebrides. Salmon fishing requires permits and you should consider booking in advance during the height of the season. Brown trout fishing, although mostly free in the Northern Isles of Lewis and Harris does require permission and mostly all that is required is a quick phone call. This way the estates can monitor the amount of fishing taking place and warn anglers if there are any shooting parties out in the season. A full listing of permit sources is coming soon!

For more detailed information about which flies to use for specific fish see the relevant sections of this website (see main menu.) In general the angling visitor will find this basic selection in the recommended sizes suitable for all our game fish: Butcher(s), Black Zulu, Soldier Palmer, Black Pennell, Peter Ross. Blae and Black, Cinnamon and Gold, Bibio, Grouse, Mallard and Claret, Invicta, Kate Mclaren, Camasunary Killer, Teal Blue and Silver, Alexandra, Claret and Golden Olive Bumbles, Irish Dabblers, Goats Toe, Connemara Black etc. Our own Western Isles Clan Chief and Green French Partridge are strongly recommended and try a size 10 Muddler (preferably pearly) on the bob for salmon and sea trout. Proper salmon files around size 10 and 8 work well - Stoats Tail (and silver), Hairy Mary, Blueharm, Thunder, Sweep, Garry Dog, Kennys Killer and many more - but bring your own favourites and experiment.

Sportsworld, 1-3 Francis Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Tel: +44 (0) 1851 705464, www.sportsworldlewis.co.uk. More information on where to get bait and tackle coming soon - meanwhile ask in the local Tourist Information Centre, shop or permit vendor.

The Western Isles Fisheries trust issues guidelines for disinfecting your fishing equipment for when you come to the islands. This is particularly relevant for fishermen from areas where the fish are largely stocked and can have diseases that could devastate natural fish stocks in the Hebrides.

The Western Isles Fisheries trust offer advice and guidelines on disinfecting fishing equipment and other issues. Contact them at:The Sawmill, Marybank, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 ODD, Tel +44 (0)1851 703419 Fax: +44 (0)1851 703434