Mairi Thomson - Reading Time: 2 minutes
Explore the artistic and cultural treasures of the Outer Hebrides.
If you are looking for Outer Hebrides Art and Hebridean crafts, the Outer Hebrides is home to a vibrant array of artists, craftsmen, and cultural centres, each offering a unique glimpse into the rich heritage and natural beauty of the islands. Here’s an introduction to some of the standout creative businesses and attractions you can visit either with a tour guide or self guided and you can find more here.
Cliff Studio
Uig, Isle of Lewis
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Image: Cliff Studio
Cliff Studio is the base for Isle of Lewis artist’s Margaret Uttley and David Knight.. The differing seasons have a profound effect on their work. The sheer power, energy and dramatic light evident in winter contrasts with the colour, calm and shimmering light of summer.
Interested in similar themes both interpret the coastal landscape; Margaret’s powerfully observed figurative approach complements the colour and surface movement of David’s abstract paintings.
Dancing Flower Crafts
Carloway, Isle of Lewis
Image: Dancing Flower Crafts
Dancing Flower Crafts design and handmake one-of-a-kind Harris Tweed® gifts and accessories, inspired by the vibrant colours, sights, sounds, life, wildlife, and enchanting environment of the Outer Hebrides.
Personally visiting local weavers to handpick the finest Harris Tweed® fabrics for their exquisite creations, each piece is hand-embroidered and paired with stunning lining fabrics to enhance the design. They are delighted to craft custom pieces tailored just for you.
ishga
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Image: Ishga
ishga is an award-winning luxury skincare brand with a shop in Stornoway.
The name ishga (ish-ga) is derived from the Gaelic word for water. The unique seaweed extract is at the core of the award-winning organic skincare range. This wonder ingredient is sustainably harvested on the shores of the Isle of Lewis, allowing nature to replenish her stocks by rotating harvesting locations and only taking what is needed.
Coll Pottery Craft Centre
Coll, Isle of Lewis
Image: Coll Pottery
Located 6 miles from Stornoway on the road to Tolsta, Coll Pottery Craft Centre features three galleries showcasing art, crafts, and gifts made in the Western Isles, mostly created on-site.
Watch resident artists at work and for those looking to get hands-on, join half-day, full-day, and evening classes in glass or ceramics. tuition is available. Perfect for a unique experience or a rainy day activity.
Nicola Stevenson Art
Aird Uig, Isle of Lewis
Image: Nicola Stevenson Art
Nicola is a full-time contemporary landscape painter working from her croft based studio, an old byre overlooking the Atlantic in the village of Aird Uig.
Nicola graduated in Art & Design and later computer graphics, and has returned to her first love, painting. Working in oils, acrylics and mixed media her paintings capture the ever-changing beauty of the Island allowing the viewer to step inside the wild Hebridean landscape.
An Taigh Ceilidh
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
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Image: An Taigh Ceilidh
An Taigh Cèilidh is a Gaelic community and cultural centre with community café and shop which holds regular events connected to Gaelic language and culture in Stornoway. An Taigh Cèilidh is a not-for-profit grassroots community project, which aims to promote and protect the Gaelic language.
The staff are Gaelic-speaking and encourage and support customers to speak Gaelic too with a 10% off hot drinks when ordered in Gaelic!
Hebridean Isle Tours
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Image: Hebridean Isle Tours
Hebridean Isle Tours offers relaxed, small-group or private tours across Lewis and Harris, including bespoke itineraries. Welcoming solo travellers with no minimum numbers, tours are led by local guides Hugh or Gordon, who share island history and hidden gems. Collection is available from ferries, the airport, or accommodation. Booking is easy online, or contact them directly for custom dates - then relax and enjoy!
The Spirit of the Hebrides Upholstery
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Image: The Spirit of the Hebrides Upholstery
Crafted from a whisky barrel, our award-winning handmade chair celebrates the Spirit of the Hebrides. Its design honours iconic symbols: Callanish Stones, Lewis Chessmen, Stornoway woodlands, and world-renowned Harris Tweed. Each element- from the chessmen seat to the hidden drinks cupboard - tells a story of history, heritage, and craftsmanship. Find out more on their website here.
Related
Cliff Studio, located by Cliff Beach, Valtos, Uig, shows coastal landscape and abstract influenced paintings, drawings and ceramics by artist’s Margaret Uttley and David Knight. Open for visitors April to Sept, Tuesday to Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
Dancing Flower Crafts designs and handmakes one off, unique Harris Tweed® gifts and accessories. Inspired by the colours, sights, sounds, life, wildlife and environment of the magical Outer Hebrides. Each design is unique and I’m happy to design something special just for you.
ishga is an award-winning luxury skincare brand based in Stornoway. Results-driven skincare that is created using the pillars of provenance, science and sustainability.
A working craft centre featuring fused glass, ceramics, and silver jewellery. Featuring 3 galleries showing a wide range of work, all made in the Outer Hebrides, no imports or tourist tat. We also offer classes and workshops in glass and/or ceramics at all levels from beginner upwards. https://www.collpottery.co.uk/classes-courses
An open studio situated in an old byre overlooking the Atlantic in the crofting village of Aird Uig.
Nicknamed “The Gaelic café” by locals, An Taigh Cèilidh is a Gaelic community centre with events, café, bookshop & gifts. The use of Gaelic is encouraged, though everyone is welcome regardless of whether fluent or don’t have a single word.
At Hebridean Isle Tours we aim to make your visit to the Hebrides a memorable one. All our tours are done at a relaxed Hebridean pace where you set the timetable. We welcome lone travellers and we will not cancel due to lack of numbers.
A Handcrafted Hebridean Chair made from a whisky barrel embodies the infamous icons of the islands, the Callanish Stones, the Lewis Chessmen and the world renowned Harris Tweed. Made to order in your choice of fabric in a small or large size to suit your home or business interiors.
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