Western Isles Vacations

If asked where we are planning to visit for this year's annual vacation few of us would reply "the Western Isles of Scotland" but to be fair the Western Isles of Scotland have, in the last ten years or so, seen a noticeable increase in tourism. Each year there has been an increase in the number of visitors from elsewhere in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. Below we examine some of the reasons for this apparent increase in popularity.

The Western Isles of Scotland are a group of around 200 islands separated from the mainland by an expanse of water known as the Minch. The Isle of Lewis is the largest, and most inhabited, island in the archipelago and where you will find the main town (and administration centre) of Stornoway. Considered the heartland of the Gaelic language, of which the vast majority of islanders have as their first language, the islands are also known as the Outer Hebrides.

The people of the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides are known as Hebrideans and they are some of the most widely travelled people in earth with many families from the islands settling in far off places such as America and Canada. With most emigration being during the eighteenth, nineteenth and very early twentieth centuries there are now vast numbers of people who can trace their roots back to the region. More and more folk are developing an interest in genealogy and therefore this can account for some of the increased number of visitors to the islands.

Many rich and important people can trace their origins to the Western Isles. Donald Trump famously can trace his roots back to the islands and this has played a role in his choice of Scotland as a venue for the development of a new golf resort. Of course Scotland is the home to golf and nearly everywhere in the country has one or two courses nearby. In the Hebrides there are a number of unique golf courses and along with other sports, such as fly fishing, cycling and surfing, the islands are becoming increasingly popular with folk looking to enjoy their favorite sports in places which offer unique challenges.

Of course all sports enjoyed in the Western Isles have one distinct advantage to other areas of Great Britain in that the scenery is absolutely spectacular. You can find yourself fly fishing alone on a flat calm loch with open moorland in one direction and a mountain range in the other. All around you will notice the incredibly diverse flora and fauna and, if you are very lucky you may witness otters at play, Golden Eagles hovering above their prey or deer gently roaming nearby.

One thing that the Western Isles are widely known for is the stone circle found at Calanais. Second in importance to Stone Henge these spectacular stones are a "must see" tourist attraction. All across the islands it is possible to find any number of historic sites ranging from further smaller stone circles, monoliths, iron age houses, duns and much, much more.

Another period of history which played an important role in the development of the Hebridean culture was the period during which the Vikings troubled the coastal settlement of the U.K. At first they just pillaged, often they would do so on their outward journey and again on their return. Eventually some settled in the Western Isles and, at one time, they were ruled by the Norse. Today the vast majority of the place names if the islands have Norse origins.

Finally I would like to make mention of my most favourite aspect of the Western Isles of Scotland, the beaches. The south west coasts of the Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris and the Uists feature some of the most incredible beaches to be found in the United Kingdom. Often it is possible to enjoy some of these beaches alone and rarely are there more than just a handful of souls even on the most popular beaches in the Western Isles.

Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com

About the Author: If you plan to visit the Outer Hebrides you will find accommodation listed at Western Isles bed and breakfast and Harris bed and breakfast 

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