It’s a strange land risen out of the sea and laid across it like a woven blanket. There is a sense of remoteness which surrounds you as you drive on the single track roads across the water carved landscape. It is hard to fathom that the Outer Hebrides were shaped over billions of years by dramatic forces of nature. The land that was to become these islands began near the South Pole and moved through every climate zone on the planet creating a stark landscape that is at times haunting, stark and dramatic, and always beautiful. Some of the oldest rocks on the planet lie on these islands – a geologist’s dream.
The people of the islands work the land and draw upon its natural resources. They welcome you and are always ready for a conversation with a stranger. Wildlife shares this space and you are likely to encounter the famous red deer coming across the bogs or standing on the hill above the road. The weather is unpredictable – we waited for 3 days to catch a sunset, which quickly turned into another cloudy and rainy day. The landscape is all browns and greens and is dotted by sheep, often found walking in the road in front of you! This is truly a unique place and one worth revisiting.
