Things to see and do HÉBRIDES

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Founded in 1991, the Bruichladdich distillery presents itself as innovative and progressive. Recognizable by its turquoise blue bottles, it works with three types of single malts: Bruichladdich, not peaty, Port Charlotte, very peaty, and Octomore, claimed to be the most peaty in the world. You will discover that the Bruichladdich blue has quite a history, since it is present in the distillery and outside, on certain days of good weather, when the sun lights up the Loch. The distillery also makes The Botanist gin.

In a breathtaking environment, the Bunnahabhain distillery (the bh is pronounced v) is isolated in the north of the island, facing the Jura mountains. It opened its doors in 1881. Its whisky is much sweeter than the one of its neighbours, and uses very little, if any, peated malt. The 12-year-old is light, fresh, with a fragrance of spray and nuts. The single visit lasts about 1 hour, but there is a shorter, faster version for those in a hurry. The visit program is to be consulted on the distillery's website.

Bowmore is the mother of the Islay distilleries. Created in 1779, it is the oldest distillery on the island and remains the heart of the eponymous village. With a beautiful setting on the edge of Loch Indaal, the single visit lasts 1 hour and allows you to explore the entire production site before ending with a triple tasting: three samples of Bowmore whiskies, in the tasting room, with a spectacular view of Loch Indaal. You even leave with your tasting glass bearing the distillery's logo. Other tours offer cask tasting.

It is the westernmost distillery of the south coast, founded and marketed in 1815 by local farmers and master distiller John MacDougall. Today in continuous expansion, it has kept its traditional methods and reveals them to enthusiasts. The classic tour lasts 45 minutes, but there are longer options. Their standard-bearer is the 10-year-old, a very peaty, iodized single malt with hints of citrus fruits and cereals. The Old Kiln Café on the premises cooks up some good food for the lunch break.

Just next to Port Askaig, this distillery of 1846 has unfortunately destroyed a large part of its original buildings to rebuild a more modern complex. The location is nevertheless very nice in front of the Paps of Jura, but there may be a bit less to see than in some of its counterparts. At 43%, the 12 year old has sweet, oily flavours, with light hints of peat and citrus. Several visits are possible, from the classic to the one combining whiskies and chocolates.

It is impossible to remain indifferent to this institution, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2015. With its superb distillery with its feet in the water, Laphroaig is the favourite whisky of a large number of single malt lovers from Islay, who come here on a real pilgrimage. The tour is as exciting as it is complete, but if you don't have time to take part, at least drop by the visitor centre to sample a dram. The 10-year-old is the best known, with its very peaty mouthfeel, deep marine flavours and a hint of fruit and spices.

Nestled in a small cove on the magnificent south coast, the Lagavulin distillery traces its origins back to 1742, when its site was used as a hideout for illegal whisky distillation... Now everything is well and truly up to standard and the visit is one of the most complete and interesting in Islay. The 16 year old is a complex single malt that is dry, rich, peaty, slightly woody and salty. You can also stop at the Malt Mill Bar for exclusive tastings, as well as excellent hot chocolate, coffee, tea and pastries.

The Ardhanoe distillery opened its doors in 2018. It is thus the most recent distillery of Islay. Its water is drawn from the Loch Ardhanoe, close to the distillery. The place is shrouded in mystery: an unfathomable depth, the legend of a white courier ghost appearing at the full moon... Its water, filtered through peat and rock, is exceptionally soft. The establishment offers tours for everyone - from the express tour to the expert tour with multi-tasting - and a friendly café: The Illicit Still bar & cafe.