Place of interest Archive

Tobha Mòr on South Uist – Ruins and the Clanranald

Thatched houses, the ruins of early Christian chapels, and a cosy youth hostel – that’s what the small settlement of Tobha Mòr, or Howmore, offers its visitors. South Uist’s most beautiful spots usually lie just a stone’s throw from the island’s main road, and Tobha Mòr – or Howmore in English – is no exception. […]

Dun Cuithir on Barra – Watching Over the Atlantic

Was danger looming from the west? The fort of Dun Cuithir certainly keeps a wary eye on the Atlantic. What its builders meant as a watchtower now gives us a wonderful view over Barra’s west coast. Not much remains of what was once a proud structure – the outline of the walls, a few stones. […]

Polochar Inn and the Standing Stone

A stone, an inn, a view – here at the southern tip of South Uist, history and nature meet quiet and pleasure. This is the Polochar Inn and its Standing Stone. It’s as if someone wanted to mark a turning point here. From the Polochar Stone onward, the coastline, coming from the east, swings north […]

St Michael’s Church on Eriskay and the mystery of the two bells

A small island, a small church, a big story: the bell hanging by the door of St Michael’s Church has come a very long way. And the church’s altar is something quite special too. On a plain iron frame in front of St Michael’s Church on Eriskay hangs a bell. Painted black, not particularly large. […]

Uig – a wild paradise in the west of Lewis

Deep in the west, somewhat off the beaten tourist track, lies the community of Uig. It ranks among the most beautiful things the Isle of Lewis has to offer. The road leads through a deep valley. On the slope to the left stands a deer, while to the right golden eagles circle above the ridgeline, […]

Castlebay – where film and comic heroes meet

Barra’s main village, Castlebay, once served as the drawing reference for a famous comic-book hero. No wonder – this dreamy little place has real charm, and plenty of other attractions besides. Where Castlebay gets its name becomes obvious to every visitor the moment they arrive: right in the middle of the large bay along which […]

Cladh Hallan – Frankenstein mummies in the machair

Near Cladh Hallan lies a Bronze Age village hidden in the dunes. Beneath it, archaeologists made an astonishing find: two mummies, each assembled from the body parts of several people. What’s the story behind them? Bronze Age people had built themselves a small, idyllic village right in the middle of the machair of South Uist. […]

Suainaval B&B – the window to the sea

A view to dream about, cinnamon bagels to indulge in, and hosts with gold medals – the Suainaval Bed & Breakfast on the Isle of Lewis really is a special place to stay. Television? Not a chance! Who needs one, anyway? Set into the wall opposite the bed is a panoramic window – and no […]

Balranald Nature Reserve – a paradise for colourful birds

On the island of North Uist, threatened birds have found a protected home: the Balranald Nature Reserve. But it’s not just birdwatchers who’ll love this stretch of coast. Listen to this article: “Is that a Crex Crex?” the woman asks, holding her camera display right under my nose. On it is a rather unlovely, upright […]

The Golden Road on Harris – not for the faint of heart

Over crests, past lochs and between rocks winds the Golden Road on the Isle of Harris. But driving through this landscape takes strong nerves. A single lane. Sea to the left, a loch to the right, rock ahead of us. In the distance the tarmac strip winds off towards the horizon, before vanishing behind one […]