Fly Fishing

Many folk are discovering a unique part of Scotland which is a superb vacation destination, the Hebrides. The Hebrides are a group of islands which are found off the west coast of Scotland and are split into two regions, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides. If you are planning a vacation to this outstanding area of the United Kingdom then you need to be aware of a few things that make the place unique. This article examines some of the problems which a tourist may have to overcome when visiting these islands.

The main Island in the Inner Hebrides is the Isle of Skye which is the most populated, most visited island with the largest landmass. Now connected to the Scottish mainland by a bridge (previously the only access was by ferry) the island is the easiest of all the islands to visit.

The Inner Hebrides are extremely well known for their outstanding beauty and this is the main reason why people visit this area of Scotland. While the scenery is incredible the islands also offer superb opportunities for sports. Cycling in the Hebrides offers unique challenges and the range of mountains, on Skye, known as the Cuillins, attract numerous hill walkers and mountaineers. If you wish to spend a vacation in this region you need to understand how changeable the weather can be. The weather can suddenly change from a hot sunny afternoon to a chilly, cold and wet day and back again in a short time. It is therefore vitally important that you have suitable clothing and equipment for all weathers.

To get to the Outer Hebrides you need to cross a stretch of sea water known as the Minch, this can be done by ferry or air. Although there are over 200 islands in this group only a few are populated. The Isle of Lewis is the most populated and largest island and it attached to the Isle of Harris (to the south). Further south you will find North and South Uist, Benbecula, Barra and Eriskay with a multitude of smaller islands spread around.

Most people visit the Outer Hebrides to enjoy the most amazing scenery which is somewhat different to the inner islands. While the bulk of Lewis consists of moorland the coast is astounding and it would appear that the further south you travel the more the west coasts of the islands appear to consist of breathtaking shell sand beaches. Cycling is again a popular sport as is walking and hill walking. Fishing and hunting are also popular and there are a number of excellent golf courses. Surfing is becoming incredibly popular and other sports such as wind surfing and sand surfing are in the increase.

Accommodation in the Hebrides is always of the highest standard. Hotels can prove to be a little on the expensive side but the hospitality is unbeatable. Throughout the islands you will see numerous guest houses and smaller houses offering bed and breakfast accommodation available at a very reasonable cost. Sadly it is often the case that such places are fully booked so it is incredibly important that you arrange your accommodation before you set off. It is becoming increasingly common to be able to book accommodation online and there are several web sites listing accommodation in the Hebrides.

One of the most noticeable aspects of the Hebrides is that most places are now named in the native Gaelic language. The language is widely spoken but nearly all folk speak beautiful English and nearly all signposts display an English translation. If you need to communicate with somebody and they are speaking in the Gaelic it is reasonably safe to assume that they speak English.

The Hebrides is a deeply religious part of Scotland and many areas observe a Sunday Sabbath. This means that most places are closed on Sundays such as shops, offices, golf courses and even play parks. If you are staying in self catering accommodation this means that you really must ensure that you stock up well in advance with essentials. If you are visiting out of season and staying in self catering accommodation it is also important to check that there are candles as the strong winds can sometimes cause short failures in the power supply.