Why not visit Scotland? Published May 14, 2010 By Angela Marquis Menwith Hill Community Relations Adviser RAF MENWITH HILL, United Kingdom -- This is the second installment of the piece about the islands of Scotland. This week we concentrate on the Hebrides and learn a little about whiskey! The Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, are a crescent of islands stretching 210km (130 miles) from Lewis in the north to Barra Head in the south, about 65km (40 miles) off Scotland's north-west coast. The largest of the Western Isles, Lewis and Harris, is effectively two islands joined by a narrow isthmus. To the south lie the smaller islands of North and South Uist, Barra and St Kilda. Lewis, covered by peat moor with many small inland lakes, is the largest of the Outer Hebrides. Its capital Stornoway is the largest town and is less than three hours by ferry from Ullapool and a short plane ride from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness. The island has notable archaeological sites including the Neolithic Callanais Stones, older than the Egyptian Pyramids, and the Pictish Carloway Broch (roundhouse). Butt of Lewis, the far northerly tip of the island, is home to many seabirds, and is an excellent spot for watching whales, dolphins and porpoises. Great Bernera, a small island joined to the north-west of Lewis by a bridge, has an Iron Age Village overlooking the beach. Harris, from the old Norse meaning 'high land', has a diverse landscape, mountainous in the north, with a rocky volcanic east coast and some of Scotland's best beaches in the west. The Harris Hills are formed on the oldest rock in the world. The village capital of Harris is Tarbert, which is also the ferry terminus for Uig on Skye. Sunday observance is part of the unique culture of Lewis and Harris: most transport links, shops, petrol stations, cafes, pubs and visitor attractions are closed on Sundays. The Uists - North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist, linked by causeways - can be reached by ferry and plane from the mainland and the neighbouring islands. They offer hills, sandy beaches, nature reserves and ancient monuments. They have a strong Gaelic character (the roadsigns are in Gaelic). The tiny island of Barra likes to be known as 'Barradise', and is accessible by ferry, which arrives at the main settlement, Castlebay. The airport is one of the most unusual in the world, with flights landing on the beach at Cockle Strand between tides. At high tide the runway disappears beneath the waves. The island is steeped in Gaelic tradition and heritage, and was the home of the ancient MacNeil clan. St Kilda is often known as the island at the edge of the world and is famed for its remoteness and seabird colonies. This archipelago of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray was inhabited for centuries but evacuated in 1930. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has the world's largest colony of guillemots, the biggest colony of puffins in Britain and more than one million birds in total. The Hebridean Maritime Festival (12-17 July) is held annually in Stornaway, with long distance sailing, windsurfing, raft racing, stalls, exhibitions, rescue displays and more. www.sailhebrides.info . It coincides with the Hebridean Celtic Festival (14-17 July) which takes place in the Victorian mock-Tudor Lewis Castle, Stornoway. The 2010 line-up includes Runrig, Imelda May, Julie Fowlis, Treacherous Orchestra, Adrian Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, Blazin' Fiddles, Breabach, Iain Morrison, The Fox Hunt and The Poozies. www.hebceltfest.com The Inner Hebrides Closer to the mainland are the islands of the Inner Hebrides, stretching 240km (150 miles) from Skye in the north to Islay in the south. Several of the islands are home to some of Scotland's most famous whisky distilleries, many of which offer guided tours and tasting. www.whiskycoast.co.uk The largest of this archipelago is Skye, which has long been one of Scotland's most popular island destinations, especially in recent years since the island was connected to the mainland by a bridge. Visitors are attracted by the wildlife, history, geology, scenery and hill-walking. Further south the Inner Hebrides continue, with the larger islands of Mull, Islay and Jura surrounded by dozens of smaller islands, many of them uninhabited. Mull is the third largest island in Scotland. It has a rich cultural heritage, land and seascapes and wildlife. It is one of the best places to see rare sea eagles, and is a good base for boat trips to the surrounding islands, including Staffa, where Fingal's Cave formed from giant basalt columns inspired Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Mull celebrates the composer with an annual Mendelssohn Festival (27 June-3 July, www.mullfest.org.uk ), now in its 21st year. The Mull Highland Games take place in Tobermory on 23 July. The Isle of Tiree lies off the west coast of Mull, right on the edge of the Atlantic. It is one of the sunniest and windiest places in Britain, which makes it a popular destination for windsurfing. The tiny island of Iona, now looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, is thought to be Scotland's first Christian site, and is popular with pilgrims who come to visit its ancient abbey. The long, narrow island of Jura is one of the wildest and most mountainous of the Inner Hebrides. Its name comes from a Norse word meaning 'deer island'. Today there are more than 6,500 deer on Jura - and fewer than 200 people. The west coast is uninhabited and inaccessible except to keen walkers. The writer George Orwell completed his book 1984 while living here in 1949. The small island of Rhum is a Nature Conservancy Research Centre with special interests in botanical and geologic research and the study of the local red deer, wild goats, and local Highland cattle and ponies. Islay is noted for its eight whisky distilleries, including Lagavulin, Bowmore, Laphroaig and Ardbeg. Visitors can tour some of them and watch the production process. The Islay Festival of Malt and Music celebrates the island's twin traditions on 22-30 May (www.feis.streamlinenettrial.co.uk). The Cantilena Festival (4-9 July) presents a variety of classical music in The Malt Hall, Lagavulin and other venues. www.cantilenafestival.co.uk The Highland-Lowland dividing line runs through the middle of Arran, dividing the wild, unspoilt, mountainous north from the forest, farmland and resorts of the south. The island's capital is Brodick, where Brodick Castle was once the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and now houses a collection of furniture, with pieces dating back to the 17th century. The island has seven golf courses. Arran events include a week-long Wildlife Festival (12-19 May), the Brodick Highland Games (first weekend in August) and an Outdoor & Walking Festival (17-20 September). www.visitarran.com The small Isle of Bute is less than an hour from Glasgow. It has sandy beaches, three golf courses and several ancient monuments. Its capital town, Rothesay, was a popular seaside resort in Victorian times. As the eldest son of the reigning monarch, Prince Charles is the current Duke of Rothesay. Bute has a Jazz Festival (30 April-3 May, www.butejazz.com ) and its own Highland Games (21 August, www.butehighlandgames.org.uk ) For more information on the Scottish islands: www.visitscotland.co.uk www.shetland.org www.visitorkney.com www.visithebrides.com All information taken from the Press Centre at Visit Britain www.visitbritain.co.uk