Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides, a part of the Hebrides, are an island chain off the west coast of Scotland, separated from the mainland by the stormy stretch of water known as the Minch. The main islands from north to south are:

Lewis and Harris, which are one island. Lewis refers to the flat north while Harris refers to the hilly south.
Taransay
North Uist
Benbecula
South Uist
Barra
Saint Kilda to the west
and a large number of small islands: Berneray, Boreray, Campay, Coppay, Flodday, Floday, Great Bernera, Gilsay, Heiskers, Hermetray, Kirkibost, Lingay, Little Bernera, Little Shillay, Mealasta, Mingulay, Opsay, Oronsay, Pabay Mor, Pabbay, Sandray, Scaraway, Scarp, Shiant Islands, Shillay, Soay Beag, Soay Mor, Stockay, Sursay, Tahay, Taransay, Vacsay, Vallay, Vatersay, Wiay, and many more.

To the west lie a remote group of islands: Rockall, and the Flannan Isles.

Ferry services operate on the following routes:

Oban to Castlebay on Barra
Uig on Skye to Tarbet on Harris
Uig on Skye to Lochmaddy on North Uist
Ullapool to Stornoway on Lewis

The islands are administered by the Western Isles Council in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, and Gaelic is spoken in most communities.