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. Address

    Northton, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Harris

    Distinctive medium sized wading bird with dark green upper parts, white underparts and a crest.

    Add Lapwing - Northton Machair to your Itinerary

  2. Address

    Lochmaddy Ferry, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of North Uist

    Present on off-shore islands from late April - August.

    Add Puffin - Lochmaddy Ferry to your Itinerary

  3. Address

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

    Isle of Lewis

    Short, low growing with spike of bright yellow flowers

    Add Lady's Bedstraw-Dalmore to your Itinerary

  4. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Aird, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Benbecula

    This elusive, grey and brown bird is slightly smaller than a moorhen and found around thick cover.

    Add Corncrake - Aird to your Itinerary

  5.  © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust
     © Laurie Campbell and North Harris Trust

    Address

    Glean Meavaig, Meavaig, Isle Of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3AW

    Telephone

    01859 502222

    Isle Of Harris

    With some of the highest densities of breeding golden eagles in all of Europe, North Harris provides one of the best opportunities in Scotland for viewing this iconic species.

    Add North Harris Eagle Observatory to your Itinerary

  6. Address

    Balranald township, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of North Uist

    Much slimmer and smaller than the corn bunting this bird is often breeds in reed beds.

    Add Reed Bunting - Balranald township to your Itinerary

  7. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Hougharry, Isle Of North Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5DL

    Isle Of North Uist

    Corn Bunting is our largest bunting. Dull streaked brown, with paler underparts, a jangley song and is most usually seen perched on a wire or post.

    Add Corn Bunting - Balranald to your Itinerary

  8. Address

    Loch Skipport, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of South Uist

    Occasionally seen at close range from the old pier at the end of the road.

    Add Red Throated Diver - Loch Skipport to your Itinerary

  9. Address

    Bosta, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

    Isle Of Lewis

    Tall slim leaves with large bright yellow flower

    Add Yellow Flag Iris - Bostadh to your Itinerary

  10. Address

    Ness, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XB

    Isle of Lewis

    Loch Stiapabhat bird reserve and hide to watch golden plover, Lapwing, whooper swans, geese and many rare migrants. The hide is open all year.

    Add Loch Stiapabhat to your Itinerary

  11. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Eoligarry, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Barra

    Primula vulgaris
    Magnificent display of a common species

    Add Primrose - Ben Eoligarry machair to your Itinerary

  12. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Loch Carabhat, North Uist, Outer Hebrides

    North Uist

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

    Add Black Throated Diver-Loch Carabhat to your Itinerary

  13. Address

    Glen Langadail, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3DB

    Isle of Harris

    The red deer is Scotlands largest land mammal.

    Add Red Deer - Glen Langadail to your Itinerary

  14. © Laurie Campbell

    Address

    Vatersay, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides

    Isle of Barra

    The Field Gentian (Gentianella Campestris) on Vatersay is home to the largest display on Barra and Vatersay.


    Add Field Gentian-South Beach to your Itinerary

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Address

    Boisdale, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TF

    Isle of South Uist

    A good area to see this species during the spring and summer.

    Add Short Eared Owl - Boisdale to your Itinerary

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