Wildlife and Bird watching

The islands are rich in all kinds of wildlife, we even have our own Hebridean Bee! It isn't unusual to see Eagles, deer, dolphins and seals, just keep an good lookout and you will be amazed at what you will find.

For Birdwatchers this is one of the few places in the UK where Corncrakes can still be heard in the summer evenings, although you will be lucky to see one! There are migratory birds that stop over, or are summer/winter residents. 

Western Isles Wildlife

Heb Birding Bird Sightings Western Isles

Fishing

The Hebrides are rated to have some of the best Salmon and Trout fishing in Scotland, why not give it a go?   Permits are needed for some, but not all rivers, so please check before you go.

Ever tried saltwater fly fishing? This is a relatively new sport why not try it first here in the Hebrides?  You might like to spend a day sea angling in some of the richest waters in the UK.

Stornoway Sea Angling Club
Stornoway Angling Association
Fish Hebrides

Hebridean Fishing Experience
(Photo courtesy Hebridean Fishing Experience)

Hill walking

Why not take advantage of some of the spectacular walks the islands have to offer. There are a few good publications available to help you plan your routes: the handy little Hallewell pocket guide has 34 walks of varying difficulty; Mary Welsh's Walking The Western Isles (Clan Walk Guides) describes 40 walks with only a small amount of duplication; and there's a leaflet guide to The Harris Walkway from Bill Lawson Publications. All are available at the Tourist Information Centres and various craft and tourist shops throughout the islands.

Golf - Lewis and Harris

With the most Westerly courses in the UK here are two to tick off the list.

Scarista Golf Course
Stornoway Golf Club

Surfing - Kiting - Kayaking

There are some good surf beaches on Lewis and they are never crowded, most beaches you will have to yourself, summer or winter! A word of caution, a lot of the beaches are affected by strong rips, please check the surf forecasts, or ask locally before taking to the waves.

Get the Surf Forecast Here

Adventure Hebrides -  Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing, Surfing, Kiting, Climbing, Wildlife, Hill walking and more. Explore our site to unlock your adventure.

Stornoway Canoe Club - Flickr gallery

Canoe Hebrides are the leading sea kayak guiding operator in the Hebrides. "Our local guides have a wealth of knowledge on the coastline and wildlife of the area and can be relied on to make your trip special."

Go Karting - location - Viking Paintball - location

Mountain Biking - Cycling

With rough sheep tracks and peat roads the island is ideal for mountain biking, there are no end of places to cycle. If you just wish a gentle mode of transport and don't mind the hills then cycles can be hired from Alec Dan's cycle shop in Stornoway.

Photography

Leumadair Guest House is situated within site of the famous Callanish Stones and the surrounding scenery is both surreal and dramatic.  Take a picture from the same spot at the same time on several consecutive days and still end up with very different stunning images.

(Photo by Donald MacLeod Leumadair Guest House)

Should you fancy doing something a little different?  Some of the estates on the island offer 'Stalking' at certain times of the year, shooting wildlife photographs!  Enjoy all the adventure of a hunt, with a 'shot' of a lifetime. Check with the various Estates for further details.

Morsgail Estate
Scaliscro Estate