Things to see and do Hebrides

Its rectangular silhouette has dominated Loch Dunvegan since the 14th century and its beautiful walls were rebuilt between the 17th and 18th centuries. Seat of the MacLeod clan, it is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the country. A visit is a must to appreciate its elegant interiors. The gardens surrounding the building are magnificent. Take advantage of your visit for a "seal trip" and embark on a seal watching cruise or a short observation cruise.

The Cuillin Mountains are among the most breathtaking and unmistakable in the country. Their spectacular ascent is often a consecration but requires rigorous preparation, excellent orientation and considerable effort. There is no real path to climb there, so that some passages are almost like climbing. However, some routes are easier to climb if you have the will and a good map.

The Trotternish Peninsula is a postcard setting, a picture of the epinal of Scotland as you dream of it. Its reliefs look like the Wild West and erosion has created a spectacle of another world, populated by high rocky plateaus and natural monoliths. It lies to the north of the island, accessible by road, on the A87 and A855, which go around it. Several spots are to be discovered:

The north-west: Fairy Glen is a nice stopover to start your escapade on Trotternish. Follow the "Sheader & Balnaknock" road from the A87 at the southern entrance to Uig, where you will drive 2.5 km through a green valley that bears its name. Further north, Duntulm Castle is situated on the site of the same name. This ruined castle was built in the 14th century and became the seat of the MacDonald of Sleat in the 17th century. Not much remains of it, but it is still very photogenic. A little further up, Rubha Hunish Point is the northern end of the island. A path leads there between Duntulm and Kilmaluag. On the A855, at a phone booth, follow Shulista and park in the small car park. The path starts a little further to the left, just past the cattle gate. It is about 7 km round trip. The closer you get to the coast, the more impressive the view of the cliffs and the Outer Hebrides.

The Quiraing: these magnificent rocky plateaus overlooking Staffin Bay are the result of a landslide of volcanic origin. The Earth has done an extraordinary job there. The best way to enjoy it is to take the signposted Staffin via the Quiraing road from the A855 at the north exit of Uig and climb the peninsula's heights until you reach a small car park where the view is stunning. From here there are several hiking trails along the ridge lines along the Trotternish Ridge.

Kilt Rock: 2.5km south of Staffin on the A855, there is a car park on the coast at a loch. This is the vantage point of Kilt Rock, where the Mealt Falls, a superb waterfall, cascades down from the cliffs into the sea. In the summer, the place is overrun but the spectacle is definitely worth a stop.

The Old Man of Storr: this is the most famous old man in Skye! This 55 m long natural monolith stands proudly at 137 m above sea level. It is the undisputed icon of the island. It can be reached from a car park 11.5 km north of Portree and 16 km south of Staffin on the A855. Count about 4 km for the round trip, via a rather simple and visible route.

The Harris Tweed & Knitwear exhibition "Clo Mor"(Big Garment in Gaelic) offers an interesting retrospective of the local tweed industry and its journey through time. Between photographs and edutainment spaces, the visit is suitable for all ages. Models present clothing of all types and all eras, showing how Harris Tweed was honoured on the world's catwalks. It is possible to attend weaving demonstrations.

This elegant castle on the other side of Stornoway Bay was built between 1847 and 1857 for Sir James Matheson, who then owned all of Lewis thanks to his fortune built on the Chinese opium trade. Since 2016, following an extension of the site, there is a museum on the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides. It describes its people and their relationship to the land and sea. The Gaelic approach is predominant, but the texts are also translated into English.

It is the main tourist office of the External Hebrides, making it a compulsory passage to Stornoway.

The Old Man of Storr is a unique rock formation located 7 miles north of Portree, via the A855, on the Trotternish Peninsula. It rises among other rocks more than 50 metres above the ground. Legend has it that Storr's old man was a giant who lived here. When he lay on the ridge at the hour of his last breath, his thumb remained raised. The Storr refers to the group of rocks that surround the old man. It is a title derived from a Nordic word meaning "great man". The path leading to the site from the roadside parking lot represents approximately 3.8 km round trip. Allow 1 hour and 15 minutes of walking, without the inevitable breaks to admire the landscape and take pictures. The site is very popular... and very popular.

The beautiful Glen Brittle Valley is as magical as it is popular. It is also home to the world famous Fairy Pools, a succession of small waterfalls and natural pools with stunningly blue translucent waters. Much appreciated by photographers for their beautiful colours and their tropical aspect, they have become a real must-see during a stay in Skye. Come early enough or late enough to avoid the crowds and the further you go, the less people will come. Count 6-7 km round trip for the whole itinerary.

The only distillery on the island to produce "the golden spirit". The Talisker is fruity, hot, spray and, of course, a little smoked, but then very slightly… We fall under the charm of this sea whisky, with a fine and stubborn taste.

The Talisker Distillery is the star of the island and one of its main attractions. Celebrated throughout the world, it was founded in 1830 and was much appreciated by Robert Louis Stevenson. The simple tour lasts about 45 minutes and is very complete, through the entire manufacturing process. It ends with the tasting of the 10-year-old, a single malt with a 45.8% strength and a full-bodied, peaty, spicy and pleasantly iodized character. Another tour combines whisky and chocolate, and a third offers a guided tasting with an expert.

It was the last blackhouse hamlet to be abandoned by its inhabitants in Lewis in 1974. These nine traditional thatched cottages have been restored and are a mirror of the past. The setting is picturesque, with the beach and cliffs at the end of the road. The whole is particularly photogenic, full of character and authenticity. Today, there are several rental accommodation offers, a souvenir shop and a small museum that details the past of the place.

It is the oldest of Scotland's castles still inhabited; the MacLeods have been living there since the 13th century. Their motto is Hold Fast! ("Hang in there!"). The family never abandoned the building, its rock, and even less the Fairy Flag, an old piece of cloth that has caused many adventures.

The tour includes a visit to the castle, where you can see various objects from the MacLeod clan, but also the bedrooms, lounges and dungeons, as well as the gardens, created in the 19th century. The latter have become one of the largest horticultural gardens in Scotland.

The Calanais Standing Stones are among the best preserved prehistoric sites in the country. These stones were erected around 3,000 years before our era, in the shape of a cross around a circle of 13 monoliths. In the centre stands a 4.8m menhir, next to which a tomb was added generations later. Although we do not really know what happened here, some archaeologists have put forward the hypothesis of an astronomical observatory. The Callanish visitor centre aims to interpret the history of the site through its small retrospective exhibition.

The Carsaig arches, located near the town of Craignure on the Isle of Mull, are an impressive natural site. This coastal walk offers spectacular views of the arches from the sea, but is quite challenging due to the rocky terrain and some narrow sections prone to landslides. We recommend following the rocky shoreline to avoid the most dangerous parts. Extreme caution is required if you wish to visit the second arch. The trail is accessible from a parking lot just above the Carsaig quay. The hike takes around 5-6 hours and covers a distance of 13.25 km. There is no public transport to the starting point. Carsaig's arches also provide a habitat for seabirds, and seals can often be seen in the water. It's important to note that visiting the second arch requires mountain hiking experience, great caution and favorable weather conditions.

This small museum on the history and nature of the island is an interesting stop when the weather does not allow for outdoor activities. With two 30-minute videos, it explores the history of Mull and its people, as well as its rich and diverse biodiversity. There is also an exhibition section on the island's geology and fauna. The place also has its charming tea room, appreciated and known for its good food and homemade pastries.

Bella Jane Boat Trips and its AquaXplore cruises offer sea trips departing from Elgol in high season. The offer is very varied and includes short crossings to Loch Coruisk and Les Cuillin, as well as trips of a few hours or a day to Soay Island and the Small Islands. You should see many marine animals, including seals, and breathtaking scenery. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or fruit juice are available during the trip. Tours are for a maximum of 40 people.

Armadale Castle was the seat of the MacDonald of Sleat, a branch of the very powerful Donald clan. It was purchased by the Clan Donald Land Trust in 1971. The Museum of the Isles traces 1,500 years of clan history in the Islands and Highlands, with portraits of great chiefs, carved stones, reconstructions and a wealth of information in seven modern and educational galleries. There are pleasant gardens, where many walks are possible.

Founded in 1810, Jura is one of the most isolated distilleries in Scotland. It almost fell into oblivion in the 1950's, before two landowners of the island took it over. Today, it is an important activity provider for the island community and offers visits of its production. Two of its single malts are well known: Jura Origin is a typical western whisky, slightly smoked, with a grainy aroma and a touch of brine. The Jura Superstition is more unctuous, peaty and spicy.

If you want to vary your visits and discover the life of Islay, this small local museum is perfect. Located in an old church in Port Charlotte, it traces the history of the island with nearly 3,000 objects and a few thousand photographs, dating back 12,000 years. The museum brings together a rare collection of objects, books, photographs and stories illustrating life on Islay from prehistoric times to the present day. The Victorian and Edwardian eras are particularly well represented. The museum has its own store and library.

Distillery established in 2005, it is the latest addition to the island scene. Its production is low by local standards, but the one-hour visit remains instructive for all enthusiasts and includes the tasting of two dramas. She has the particularity of producing a whisky that you will only find in Islay, made from a malt exclusively grown on the island's farms and property. The Kilchoman Café offers lunch and all day dining, which is convenient for a gourmet snack on this side of the island.