A photographic guide to the Outer Hebrides

A photographic guide to the Outer Hebrides
By admin


With its white sand beaches, turquoise seas, rugged moors and jagged peaks,  the Outer Hebrides is about as far from the United Kingdom’s urban metropolises as you could imagine.  

This beautiful chain of 200 interlinked islands  exists in a 200 kilometre archipelago, with a population of just over 26,000 people residing on 15 of the islands. 

The ancient Gaelic language instils a sense of heritage here, and is spoken by no less than 60% of the population.

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The Outer Hebrides is also home to the Callanish Stones, one of the most complete stone circles in Europe. 

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Found on Lewis Island, the 13 large stones are arranged, as if in worship, around a 4.5 metre-tall central monolith. 

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The formation is thought to be up to 5000 years old,  with the actual Gneiss rock dating back to the time the Egyptian pyramids were built.  

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Local tradition says that giants who lived on the island refused to be converted to Christianity by Saint Kieran, and as punishment  were turned into the stone we see today. 

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Religion is still a prominent aspect of life in these western islands, particularly in the Protestant north, where shops and pubs close their doors on Sundays. 

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Some hotels even request guests do not arrive or depart on the Sabbath.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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