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.

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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,…

Golden Eagle © Laurie Campbell

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

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…

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.

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

    Address

    Lingerbay, Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Harris

    Low growing evergreen shrub found in rocky moorland areas.

    Add Dwarf Juniper-Lingerbay to your Itinerary

  2. Address

    Ardroil, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9NB

    Isle of Lewis

    Short, low growing with spike of bright yellow flowers

    Add Lady's Bedstraw-Ardroil Sands to your Itinerary

  3. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Grenitote, Isle Of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5BP

    Isle Of North Uist

    The Common Buzzard is sometimes described as "The Tourists Eagle". A commonly seen bird of prey.

    Add Common Buzzard-Aird a Mhorain to your Itinerary

  4. Address

    Northton, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    Frog orchid, northern marsh orchid, early marsh orchid, greater twayblade, and lesser butterfly orchid are typical machair orchid species.

    Add Machair Orchids - Northton to your Itinerary

  5. Address

    Sollas, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of North Uist

    This dumpy looking finch with prominent white flashes in the wing can often be found on the machair in winter.

    Add Snow Bunting-Sollas to your Itinerary

  6. Address

    Vatersay, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Barra

    Coeloglossum viride

    When heading uphill towards Eorisdale, look out for this easily over-looked member of orchid family.

    Add Frog Orchid-South Beach to your Itinerary

  7. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Marvig, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9NB

    Isle of Lewis

    Short, compact plant with pale yellow flowers

    Add Primrose - Marvig to your Itinerary

  8. Address

    Arnol, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9DJ

    Telephone

    01859 511136

    Isle Of Lewis

    RSPB Loch na Muilne nature reserve and nearby coastline.

    Add RSPB Loch na Muilne Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

  9. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Sound of Barra, Eriskay, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5JN

    Eriskay

    This stunning diver species breeds on large moorland lochs in the summer and winters in coastal waters.

    Add Black Throated Diver-Sound of Barra to your Itinerary

  10. Address

    Bosta, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Lewis

    Low/medium annual flowering plant with White/Mauve flowers

    Add Sea Rocket-Bosta to your Itinerary

  11. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Acarsaid Mhor, Eriskay, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Eriskay, Isle of South Uist

    Common Seals can be found in small numbers and usually present themselves on the rocks.

    Add Common Seal - Acarsaid Mhor to your Itinerary

  12. Address

    Maaruig, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    An unmistakable mammal perfectly adapted to living in the water.

    Add Otter - Maaruig to your Itinerary

  13. Address

    Borve, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Benbecula

    The Great Yellow Bumblebee is a large bee with a yellow or brownish yellow body with a single black band (between the wings).

    Add Great Yellow Bumble Bee-Borve to your Itinerary

  14. Address

    Garynahine, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9DS

    Isle of Lewis

    Our largest mammal. Mature males have distinctive antlers.

    Add Red Deer - Garynahine to your Itinerary

  15. © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell
    © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Amhuinnsuidhe, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    Large migratory fish species closely related to Trout

    Add Atlantic Salmon - Amhuinnsuidhe to your Itinerary

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

    Address

    Grimsay, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of North Uist

    A huge bird of prey, with its long broad wings and longish tail, it has a different outline to the smaller Buzzard.

    Add Golden Eagle - Kallin Harbour to your Itinerary

  17. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9NB

    Isle of Lewis

    A low growing plant with small white 2 lobed flowers. Found on improved agricultural land and coastal grasslands.

    Add Eyebright-Butt of Lewis to your Itinerary

  18. Address

    Toddun, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    The mountain hare is about twice the size of a rabbit with much longer hind legs and a white winter coat.

    Add Mountain Hare - Toddun to your Itinerary

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