He Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides

The third edition of Outer Hebrides is the definitive book of sailing directions for those seeking to explore the challenging yet rewarding waters of this remote archipelago, one of the wildest corners of the British Isles. Guided by the experienced hand of the Clyde Cruising Club, these directions will help you navigate with confidence through spectacular landscapes rich in wildlife and natural splendour - from Barra Head in the south to the Butt of Lewis in the north. This latest edition is thoroughly updated to reflect the latest developments, complemented by stunning aerial photography and updated chartlets to enhance your experience. It's an indispensable resource for sailors, whether you’re chartering a boat for a holiday or cruising long term, giving you the essential information to enjoy this breathtaking cruising ground safely. Supplements with updates are available to download from www.clydecruisingclub.org

Outer Hebrides

This new, thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt’s Outer Hebrides is the only up-to-date guidebook to focus solely on Scotland’s Western Isles: the islands of Lewis, Harris, St Kilda, Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. Informed and intimate, this guidebook is ideal for people who travel with curious minds to discover places of great cultural, historical and wildlife interest. The Outer Hebrides is an archipelago of 15 inhabited islands and more than 50 others that are free of human footprint. It is perfect for a staycation where you can get off the beaten track, switching off from the modern world. Huge variations in landscape are found across the islands – from Lewisian gneiss, which dates back almost three billion years, to rugged Harris with its magnificent, almost unbroken sands running down its western flanks, and the undulating flatness and jagged sea lochs of the Uists. Here Gaelic is increasingly spoken (driven both by a strong sense of regional identity but also, unexpectedly, boosted by commitment from many incomers). Ancient monuments abound, from enigmatic 2,000-year-old brochs to Tobha Mor, the earliest Christian site on the Outer Hebrides. Here too are the Standing Stones of Callanish (where a vibrant new visitor centre opens in 2025) and the Uig peninsula (where the ‘Lewis Chessmen’ were uncovered nearly 200 years ago). Nature-lovers can watch stunning seabird colonies, birds of prey, seals and red deer – or become absorbed in the machair, grassy coastal zones that are transformed into glorious carpets of wildflowers in late spring and summer. Walkers have an impressive choice of routes, while cyclists can enjoy the new Hebridean Way cycle trail. Alongside providing all the practical details you could ever need, experienced journalist Mark Rowe contextualises your visit with detailed and enlightening background information – from geography and geology to art and architecture, via extensive coverage of wildlife. New elements of this third edition include advice on camping and campervanning, a round-up of deserted villages and first malt whisky produced on Harris. Whatever floats your boat, Bradt’s Outer Hebrides is your perfect travel companion.

The birds of the west of Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides