Closer to Wildlife

Close to nature

  1. otter in water
    Official tourist guide to Otters and Seals in the Outer Hebrides
  2. Machair flowers a luskentyre beach, harris
    The Outer Hebrides Machair
  3. Coastal birds
    Official tourist guide to coastal birds in the Outer Hebrides

Island Highlights

Hen Harrier © Laurie Campbell

Surrounded by rolling moorland and young plantations this is a hotspot for hen harriers and short-eared owls. The roadside car park is an excellent vantage point from which to watch.

White-tailed Sea Eagle © Laurie Campbell

Located at the North of the Archipelago, this rich Machair loch and surrounding wetland is an important migration stopover for wildfowl and waders attracting regular visits from hunting bird of prey,…

Hen Harrier © Laurie Campbell

This location is on the shore of a large fresh water loch surrounded by moorland with views south over Beinn Mhor, the highest peak in the Uists. Both species of eagle, hen harrier, merlin and…

Common Buzzard © Laurie Campbell

A path leads you into the North Harris hills; one of the largest areas of un-roaded land is Scotland. One of the most reliable places for locating both golden and white-tailed eagles and where the…

Common Buzzard © Laurie Campbell

The observatory is a purpose built hide perched in the interior of the rugged North Harris hills commanding spectacular views over the territory of a pair of golden eagles.

Common Buzzard © Laurie Campbell

A path leads into the interior of Barra with views over Heaval, the islands highest peak. Scan the ridges for golden eagles and white-tailed eagle and keep an eye out for melin darting across the moor

Merlin © Laurie Campbell

Beinn Langais is a prominent hill surrounded by vast areas of peatland, freshwater and sea lochs. A short path runs up to an archaeological site with excellent views over the area.

Hen Harrier © Lauries Campbell

A path runs across Benbecula, through an area of low lying moorland and lochs. This is an excellent area for hen harrier, short-eared owl and merlin during the breeding season.

Golden Eagle © Laurie Campbell

A path takes you to the shore of Loch Seaforth, a long fjord-like loch and a stronghold for the white-tailed eagles and otters.

Golden Eagle © Laurie Campbell

Located in the northern end of South Uist, Loch Sgioport is a great placee to spot white-tailed eagles.

Golden Eagle © Laurie Campbell

This visitor centre, hostel and cafe have good views over the shore of loch Erisort, a sea loch regularly visited by white-tailed eagles. This is also an excellent place from which to explore the…

White-tailed Sea Eagle © Laurie Campbell

This ferry route runs from Eriskay to the north end of Barra. White-tailed eagles, golden eagles and peregrines are often seen from the ferry as it passes numerous islands and skerries close to Barra.

White-tailed Sea Eagle © Laurie Campbell

The Sound of Harris ferry runs between Berneray and Leverburgh. The route meanders round skerries and rocks and is a haven for wildlife. White-tailed eagles are a particularly common sight around…

A few ideas.....

  1. Puffin and boat at the Shiant Isles
    Take a wildlife trip to The Shiant Isles
  2. Many wading and farmland birds nest on the machair including corn buntings and corncrakes.
  3. White-tailed Sea Eagle © Laurie Campbell
    At Loch Stiapabhat in Ness there is an fantastic eagle hide
    1. 1st January 202331st December 2023
  4. Puffins
    Puffins are lots of people's favourite bird. Their iconic colouring - the blacks, whites and bright oranges, instantly giving rise to nicknames like ‘Sea Parrots’ and ‘Clowns of the Sea’.
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Number of results: 155

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  1. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Polochar, South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TU

    South Uist

    Bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the Sound of Barra.

    Add Bottlenose Dolphin - Polochar to your Itinerary

  2. Ardvourlie Woodland Observatory
    Ardvourlie Woodland
    View from the observatory
    Pete's Shed
    Ardvourlie Woodland Observatory
    Ardvourlie Woodland
    View from the observatory
    Pete's Shed

    Address

    Ardvourlie, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AB

    Telephone

    01859 502222

    Isle of Harris

    Awards

    • Other Awards Outer Hebrides Tourism Member 2020Outer Hebrides Tourism Member

    The breath-taking views over Loch Seaforth and the chance to see native trees in an otherwise rugged and tree-less landscape make this well worth a visit. The Observatory sits near the top of the circular track through the 100ha community woodland in the often-overlooked northern part of the estate.

    Add Ardvourlie Woodland Observatory to your Itinerary

  3. Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
    Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust

    Address

    Kildonan, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    Scan the hills to the east of the main road.

    Add Golden Eagle - Kildonan Glen to your Itinerary

  4. Address

    Princes Strand, Eriskay, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5JN

    Eriskay, Isle of South Uist

    This pink and white, striped funnel-shaped flower is found only here in the Outer Hebrides

    Add Sea Bindweed - Princes Strand to your Itinerary

  5. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Poll na Crann, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, HS7 5QA

    Isle of Benbecula

    This small bay holds Eiders throughout the year.

    Add Eider - Poll na Crann to your Itinerary

  6. Address

    Boisdale, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    More abundant to the west of the main road. You can access the area easily as it is unfenced although plants can be seen from the main road in fenced fields further north too.

    When to See
    Flowers in June.

    Add Lesser Butterfly Orchids-Boisdale to your Itinerary

  7. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Ardvule, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5SA

    Isle of South Uist

    There are regular sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins to the south and west of the headland.

    Add Bottlenosed Dolphin - Rubha Ardvule to your Itinerary

  8. Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust

    Address

    Loch Druidibeg, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    Frequently seen above the surrounding hills.

    Add Golden Eagle - Loch Druidibeg to your Itinerary

  9. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Kilpheder Beach, Kilpheder, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    Common Seals can be found along the rocky areas inshore at low tide.

    Add Common Seal - Kilpheder to your Itinerary

  10. Address

    Tigh Na Breacain, Lochskipport, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5NS

    Telephone

    07795634525

    Isle of South Uist

    Awards

    • Other Awards Outer Hebrides Tourism Member 2020Outer Hebrides Tourism Member

    Add Long Island Retreats to your Itinerary

  11. Address

    Ardivachar, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5RE

    Isle of South Uist

    Seals are often found "bottling" just off the rocks to the south and west.

    Add Grey Seal - Ardivachar to your Itinerary

  12.  © Copyright Ian Capper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

    Address

    Loch Thallan, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    The Common Twayblade is an orchid which can be found around Loch Thallan.

    Add Common Twayblade - Loch Thallan to your Itinerary

  13. Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
    Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust

    Address

    Loch Eynort, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    Can be seen over any of the hills here.

    Add Golden Eagle - Loch Eynort to your Itinerary

  14. Address

    Finsbay, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    Elegant white seabird with a black cap, orange bill and long forked tail.

    Add Artic Tern - Loch Fionsabhaigh to your Itinerary

  15. Address

    Rubha Ardvule, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5SA

    Isle of South Uist

    You can usually find seals hauled out on the rocky promonatry looking south-west from the car park at the base of Ardvule.

    Add Common Seal - Rubha Ardvule to your Itinerary

  16. Address

    Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3HP

    Isle of Harris

    An unmistakable mammal perfectly adapted to living in the water.

    Add Otter - An Clachan to your Itinerary

  17. Address

    Griminish, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of North Uist

    The Outer Hebrides are an exceptional place to see this iconic bird, hosting one of the densest breeding populations in Europe.

    Add Golden Eagle - Griminish to your Itinerary

  18. Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
    Copyright- Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust

    Address

    Bogha Glas, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    The golden eagle is one of two eagle species found on Harris

    Add Golden Eagle - Bogha Glas to your Itinerary

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