Rampant Scotland Directory! The sites included on this page relate to the Western Isles - the Inner and Outer Hebrides - though some of the inner islands are covered in the "Central Highlands and West Coast" section (see link below).
If you are planning a trip to Scotland you may wish to use a specialist company offering guided tours. Rampant Scotland has teamed up with Go Scotland to provide quick access to a one stop shop for a very wide range of tours in Scotland. Go Scotland offers tours from a number of recommended tour guide companies in Scotland with sightseeing tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Click the graphic to see what they have on offer:-
Use the Go Scotland Tour Search to find a tour departing on your desired time frame. If you can't find what your looking for contact them and they'll find it for you. Go Scotland Tours also arranges private driver guided tours and customised itineraries with tailor-made bespoke Scotland tours.
There are other separate pages for sites covering all of the Highlands and the following regions:
This is the main portal site for the Western Isles (Na h-Eileanan Siar) and includes lots of information about the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. There are descriptions and excellent photos of the individual islands:
There are sections on accommodation, geting there, a useful FAQ - and an extensive photo gallery with thumbnails in sections leading to the excellent larger pictures. The Things to Do section leads to a number of individual pages covering:
- Walk Hebrides - dedicated to walking in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
- Culture Hebrides - details the unique Gaelic-Hebridean culture, the true heartland of the Gaels.
- Roots Hebrides - genealogy and family research in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
- Outdoor Hebrides - all the adventure sports and crazy new activities available.
- Film Hebrides - profiles the major television and film productions which have been shot in the Outer Hebrides.
- Golf Hebrides - five outstanding coastal golf courses which are located here.
- Cycling Hebrides - cycling in the Outer Hebrides
- Fish Hebrides - the spectacular fishing which is available.
- Wild Life Hebrides - the incredible wildlife and landscape of the Outer Hebrides.
Guide to the Islands of the Southern Inner Hebrides
A well illustrated and comprehensive guide to the islands off the coast of Argyll. In addition to the individual islands, the site provides extensive information on such aspects as cruises, tours and wildlife boat trips; marinas, pontoons and moorings in the southern Hebridean waters; ferry travel; Southern Hebrides history; gardens of the Southern Hebridean islands and videos of Gigha, Islay, Jura and Colonsay from the air. There is a large section of Pictures and panoramas and like all good sites there's a Blog as well. The individual island pages cover:
This is a large site which provides a range of links to sites associated with Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. There are links to wildlife sites, local councils and tourist attractions. The links to specific places in the Western Isles (Inner and Outer Hebrides) include:
Part of the "Globalguide" series, the pages on this site offer a description of all the main Western Isles plus a limited range of illustrations and the opportunity to leave a message on the messageboard, add articles or events, opinions or small ads.
The council have produced a "where are we" fact file describing the language, transport, climate and industries of the area.
Gavin Shaw has beautifully illustrated the white sandy beaches, windsurfing and the 30 square miles of the Island of Tiree with lots of pictures.
The Community Website for the Isle of Colonsay has well illustrated pages for this lovely island in the Inner Hebrides. Sections on flora and fauna, especially the corncrake, one of Britain's rarest birds and probably Colonsay's most famous avian resident. Lots of maps and pictures, accommodation - and local honey and oysters for sale.
The site for the small Isle of Scalpay (which is connected -but only just - by a bridge to Harris in the Outer Hebrides) has sections on the island's history, music (featuring local bands), an active map linked to graphics, an artists' picture gallery plus a page of news - and one for the kids (with animated gif's).
Web Pages of Businesses, Organisations, Universities and Communities active across the Hebridean Region of the Highlands of Scotland. There are local directories and guides, and pages on tourist information, archaeology, history, accommodation, maps and journey planners.
This website offers a personal response to the Western Isles, with lots of illustrations and articles on a range of aspects of the Outer Hebrides, including living in a Blackhouse, a Norse Mill, Harris Tweed, flowers of Lewis, Calanais standing stones and beach life.
Unlock the secrets of Lewis with the help of this extensive online information resource for tourist related activites on and around the Hebridean island of Lewis. Covers places of interest, natural history, activities, arts and crafts, accommodation, food and drink, travel advice.
Mike Shailes has been a landscape photographer for over 30 years and is now based in Stornoway, on the Scottish Isle of Lewis. Original Outer Hebrides landscape photos are available for purchase online from the Web site via a secure, online payment system. A large number of photographs can be viewed in the online gallery shop.
Photographic images of the isles of Lewis, Harris,Uist and Barra in a series of photographic images by Stephen Whitehead, who lives and works on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The islands landscapes, culture and history are all themes celebrated on the site. All are available for sale in either print or digital format.
Lots of links, events and news about the Western Isles including sports fixtures, entertainment, local goods, jobs, ceilidhs, local services and public notices plus notes about local birds and wildflowers.
The remote island of St Kilda is 40 miles west of Benbecula in the Western Isles of Scotland. It has exceptional cliffs and the most important seabird population in north-west Europe. The last permanent inhabitants left the islands (it is an archipelago, with the largest island named Hirta) in the 1930s. In 1986 it became Scotland's first World Heritage Site. Administered by the National Trust for Scotland, about 1,500 visitors manage to reach the remote island each year. But now it is accessible to everyone with a Web connection. The site has some stunning photos, fascinating facts, maps and the sounds of the Gaelic St Kildan song - and the local Soay sheep.
Day trips from Tarbert on Harris on a fast motor launch which will do the journey in two hours and 15 minutes, making "weather permitting" day trips available to those in search of adventure and a unique experience.
This company is based in Berneray (North Uist) in the Outer Hebrides from May to September. They run wildlife cruises to St. Kilda and uninhabited Hebridean islands such as Taransay, Flannan Isles, Scarp, Monach Islands, Mingulay and Barra. The crusies are on board a 40 ft. sailing boat, built as a modern, fast cruising yacht, offering comfortable accommodation.
The small island of Berneray lies in the Sound of Harris and is especially known for its beaches and its rich wildlife. The community website covers how to get to Berneray, where to stay and what to do and see with a downloadable guide to visiting the island. The site also covers what's happening locally, information about local groups, businesses, and bus and ferry times. And there are screen backgrounds/wallpaper of Berneray - including those lovely beaches.
OK, so any web site about Skye gets off to a flying start because of the subject matter, but this is a well illustrated virtual tour, plus an encyclopaedia of the ecology, economy and sociology of the island.
Skye and Lochalsh Hospitality Association have included an extensive tour guide (six pages) of all of the Isle of Skye, with lots of photos.
Isle of Skye Photo Website is indeed that with thumbnails and larger images, well indexed and with an image map showing the locations which include Castle Moy.
Virtual Tour of Isle of Skye concentrates on the different areas of Trotternish in the north of the island, there is an overview and sections on its history and legends. The slide show tour uses RealPlayer to present the images.
Skyewalk.co.uk is a guide to everything you need to enjoy the best walking routes on Skye, from the classic routes to hidden gems not found in any guidebook. There's up to date, reliable information to help you get the most from your visit to this beautiful island. The walks can be searched by region, and are then ordered by grade and length.
Glendale is located between Dunvegan Castle, MacLeods Tables and Neist Point Lighthouse and this community Web site takes you on a journey to these locations, passing Orbost, Colbost and the famous Three Chimneys Restaurant on the way. There is a great selection of pictures from North-west Skye plus History, information and local knowledge. Glendale Newsletter is intended for locals & visitors to the area and provides accommodation and photos of Glendale - and other Glendales around the world.
Visit Waternish (also known as Vaternish) begins with the Fairy Bridge and the panorama of Loch Bay, Dunvegan Head and beyond to the Outer Isles. The site covers all the essentials for visitors - accommodation, eating out, local attractions, historical sites and has a map of the Waternish peninsula.
The Web site Blaven (or Blà Bheinn to use its correct Gaelic name) is named after the mountain of Blaven, one of most beautiful and photogenic mountains on the misty Isle of Skye. There is also information on the small crofting community Torrin on the adjacent shore of Loch Slapin. Lots of the local history and landscape is described on a page covering the seven mile journey from Broadford to Blaven.
Anders Lönn from Sweden also has a good collection of photos of Skye.
Skye Data Atlas is an exhaustive narrative covering the geography, economy, sociology and ecology of the Island of Skye.
Isle of Skye Toll Bridge between the mainland and Skye has been controversial from the outset and a major campaign against the tolls promoted by the Skye and Kyle Against Tolls (SKAT) is covered on this site with the legal battles and up-to-date position set out at length.
This site is introduced as a list of flowering plants and ferns recorded as growing wild on the Isle of Skye but it is much more than that as there are lovely photographs (often more than one) of more than 75% of the nearly 700 plants covered plus detailed descriptions. And the Nature Notes from Skye is a lavishly illustrated naturalist's diary of this lovely island.
Boat trips operating between Elgol, Isle of Skye and Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillins. See dolphins, whales, seals, basking sharks, otters, golden eagles, sea eagles, visit seal colony, Cuillin hills. After your arrival at breathtaking Loch Coriusk visitors have plenty of time ashore for the short walk to the loch or just to enjoy the surrounding beauty and tranquility.
Raasay is located off the east coast of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides. The site has been created by Raasay Heritage Society which preserves and promotes the language and culture of the island and shows visitors aspects of the island's unique past and its unusual geological and botanical features.
Pabay is located 2.5 miles from the village of Broadford, on the South side of the Isle of Skye. The site provides a history of the island - including its philatelic history, as it has been issuing its own stamps for over 40 years.
This guide to the Hebridean island has pages on the island's history, nature, ameneties, activities, crafts and alos accommodation available.
Tiree is the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Its outstanding natural beauty, unique lighting effects and stunning mix of colours make it a popular spot for photographers and artists. This website presents a terrific selection of the Isle of Tiree images on a wide range of subjects. The images are indexed on good size thumbnail pages linked to larger versions. But that's not all! There are also links to other sites displaying images of Tiree - and a selection of their work to encourage you to look further.
The Holiday Mull, sports and wildlife of these beautiful islands of the Inner Hebrides are illustrated along with maps and specific coverage of the cradle of Christianity in Scotland at Iona. Fingal's Cave on Staffa and the Treshnish Isles are also featured. MacKinnon's Cave is reckoned to be the deepest in the Hebrides and fossil MacCulloch's Tree is the cast of a tree over 12 metres high and a metre and a half in diameter which, standing upright, was engulfed by lava and has now been exposed through erosion. Mull and Iona in Films page describes a surprising number, including "I Know Where I'm Going" (1945) and "When Eight Bells Toll" (1971) from the novel by Alistair MacLean. Also on Mull is the Macquarie Mausoleum erected to honour Lachlan Macquarie "The Father of Australia". If you want to find out more about this Governor of Australia (who followed Captain Bligh of the "Bounty" in this post) there is a Lachlan Macquarie Room an extensive site at the Library of Macquarie University, New South Wales. It even includes a 17th Century Map of the Isle of Mull by Pont.
A well illustrated guide with maps and list of shops and the various Tourist Attractions with further links where available. Martin Marti's Visit to Mull is an extract from Martin Marti's description of the Western Isles of Scotland in 1703. His chapter headed Mull makes fascinating reading today for anyone who knows the island. There is also information on the Macquarie Mausoleum in memory of Lachlan Macquarie "The Father of Australia".
Other attractions covered by the site include:
In the middle of May Mull and Iona wildlife operators get together to make it easier to experience more of the wide range of wildlife these unique islands have to offer - whales, dolphins, puffins, seals, otters, deer and eagles etc. During the week there are many different events, walks, talks, displays,exhibitions and competitions.
This is a diving company based in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, providing experienced diving teams for the aquaculture industry. The site also has a series of pictures taken around Mull and information on the underwater finds which have been made in the area.
The goal of this website is to provide information and news about the island and its activities that are hard to find through "normal" media channels. It achieves that by covering industry, population, economy, religion wildlife, climate transport, music, education, crofting, farming, genealogy. It even has a picture of every named place on the Isle of Jura, which must be a first for any area.
Created by the Islay and Jura Marketing Group there is basic tourist related information including accommodation and places to visit such as Islay Jazz Festival and Machrie Golf Club plus Islay Whisky Festival and Finlaggan once the residence of the Lords of the Isles.
Ileach, the local newspaper for Islay and Jura is produced every two weeks from a cosy little office in the village of Bowmore on the Isle of Islay. In addition to local news there are pages of Islay in Pictures.
Comprehensive site on this lovely island - created by an enthusiast. It covers Islay's history, facts, travel information including maps (not just roads and place but a space satellite view as well), distilleries (most important!), weather, walks, accommodation, busineses - and things to do (with extensive links to other Islay sites). There is an extensive picture gallery which should convince most people that Islay is worth a visit! There are also individual pages on different areas of the island, including:
From the same stable as Islay, Queen of the Hebrides (above), the Weblog contains a lots of useful items on various aspects of the island including practical information for the visitors such as upcoming events and news, tales from Islay's past, wildlife, whisky and distilleries.
Information on Eigg, a wee Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides, with a map showing you where to find it.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
