Outer Hebrides
"Meeting some wild otters up close, (without trying to) on an evening stroll, a magical moment that will stay with me for ever."
Mr D Booth, London
"My children loved our trip to Lewis so much last year that we're coming back again this year. In particular they loved the beaches - miles and miles of clean white sand - and their first (unsuccessful) attempts at fishing. We also visited the Standing Stones and the Black Houses when the weather wasn't so good. Even the ferry over was part of the adventure."
Mr D Adams, Birmingham
"I live in Scotland and my favourite holiday destination is Scotland. I had heard many people say that Harris is the most beautiful place in the world. So I had to try this out. Seeing is believing let me tell you, but you haven’t seen anything until you visit a wee place called Huisinis. 17 miles or so along a dead end road. Beautiful scenery, stately home, gorgeous beach, view to islands, machair, walks, Golden Eagles soaring 100 feet overhead. There is even a public toilet! Is this the best kept secret in Scotland?"
Mrs G McCarron, Lancashire
"One of my favourite island experiences was on Barra. It was a blustery, sunny march day and after walking to Grean point, me and my fiance headed down to sealbay beach to have a picnic. We found a lovely sheltered spot, with a view down to the seals basking on the rocks below. Cracked open a bottle of bubbly and got tucked in to our sandwiches. Our lunch was cut short by a large cloud blocking the sun and in the space of 5 mins we were getting pelted by huge hailstones! 10 minutes later the sun was splitting the sky and we headed down to the beach to paddle in the sea and jump off the sand dunes!"
Mrs J Templeton, Glasgow
"In 1988 my parents took the family to Stornoway. After my first and fairly 'green' ferry trip over we arrived in this 'other world'. I was drawn to the beautiful beaches, golden sands and crystal clear waters with not a soul in sight for miles. They were like nothing I'd seen before and to this day despite a year in Australia, have never found anywhere quite like it since. Breathtaking scenery and immersion in culture - here I felt truly Scottish. I am looking forward to my return this summer where I will spend my time fully appreciating this part of the country from more mature eyes."
Ms K Torrance, Peebleshire
"My wife and I were touring the Outer Hebrides in our motor-home, we were on North Uist on a lovely summers day when we decided to stop at the side of a sea loch, and while waiting for the kettle to boil we decided to get out and stretch our legs, when suddenly a otter surfaced ten meters away with a crab in its mouth and unaware of our presence swam to the shore and ate his lunch three meters away!, a moment my wife and I will never forget."
Mr B D Rigby, Port Talbot, Wales
"The contrast of the lunar landscape, with the oldest land mass in the world, and beautiful and gentle sandy bays of Harris make a stunning visual experience. Access to the smaller isles and the St Kilda archipelago, bring both Nature and History together for the supreme sensory and spititual island experience."
Mr A Roberts, Derby
"Without doubt the most magical experience of my Hebridean holiday in 2007 was the discovery of an idyllic beach to the north of Stornoway. It took my breath away. Everything about it was perfect. There was a small car park with toilet facilities and what at first appeared to be a small sandy bay with a couple of picnic tables. As I walked towards the sea the bay suddenly opened out over the sand dunes and revealed a vast sweeping sandy bay totally deserted of course. As I walked to the left of me I found rocky formations of the most beautiful red and green colours. There were caves, rock pools deep enough to immerse your whole body in, blue sky, blue sea, foamy white waves and peace perfect peace. The place was Tolsta. Its image will remain in my head forever."
Mrs P Haigh, Knaresborough
Firth of Clyde | Southern Hebrides | Inner Hebrides | Raasay, Skye and the Small Isles | Rathlin Island