The Outer Hebrides: 40 Coast and Country Walks

Paul and Helen Webster

The great island chain of the Western Isles is situated on the outermost edge of Europe and possesses the UK’s finest beaches, wild mountain ranges, varied wildlife, a long and rich history, and unique Gaelic culture. The full chain of islands stretches almost 200km from the Butt of Lewis to Barra Head, and lies some 60 to 90km west of the Scottish mainland, with a population of around 30,000, nearly 6000 of whom live in Stornoway, the capital of Lewis. Featuring 40 mostly moderate walking routes from Lewis in the north to Vatersay in the south, this guide takes in some of the most magnificent sweeps of sand, dramatic sea cliffs and hill ascents, as well as famous cultural sights such as the Standing Stones of Callanish and the blackhouse village of Na Gearrannan. Routes are divided into five sections, each of which is introduced by a summary giving a flavour of the island and a map to locate the start points of the walks.

This handy and informative guide features 40 mostly moderate walks. The Lews Castle walk at Stornoway and the walk to the Eagle Observatory on Harris are possible with an all-terrain wheelchair. Other routes – such as the ascents of An Cliseam and Eaval – should be treated as proper hillwalks, requiring appropriate equipment and navigation skills.