アウターヘブリディーズの湖・トップ20

Coffee cabin located at Balranald campsite that also has food. Opening days/times vary though.

A very nice welcome on a heavy rainy day. It made our day perfect.

One of the smaller islands in the Outer Hebrides Scalpay has been an important fishing and seafaring island for hundreds of years. There are two good harbours and the Eilean Glas lighthouse which was first built in 1788. The island is a popular wildlife spotting and photography site, look out for seals, otter and sea eagles as well as many other sea birds. The bridge was built in 1998 making the crossing to the mainland much faster and easier and helping the islands community which was in decline. The island has been community owned since 2011 and is part of the North Harris Community Trust. There is a community shop/cafe in Buth Scalpaigh which is well worth a visit.

The saying goes that a loch is as deep as the mountains around it. If that is true, then Loch a'Mhorghain must be very deep. On the southern edge of the loch Sgaoth Iosal towers above the waters. With craggy sides and dark blue waters, the loch is a stunning place to have lunch or camp for the night.

A beautiful stretch of woodland covering 155 acres (63 ha), Aline Community Woodland has a lake, play area and picnic tables. You will ride along a pretty boardwalk through the forest, spotting white-tailed eagles along the way. The birds bred here successfully after their reintroduction. You may also spot red deer darting through the woodland and otters swimming in the waters.

The sandy beaches, marshes, and rocky foreshore of Balranald Nature Reserve are home to many wonderful wildlife species. Look out for oystercatchers and Greenland barnacle geese as well as peregrines. The reserve is open at all times and there is a camp site as well as a visitor center and toilets (open from 9am to 6pm).

Pristine beaches, hidden coves and untouched nature sum up South Uist, the second-largest island of the Outer Hebrides. With a population of less than 2,000, you will find plenty of secluded spots where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery. Interestingly, the island is the only place in the UK where prehistoric mummies were found. It is also one of the last remaining strongholds of the Gaelic language.

Perfect to stretch your legs! Beautiful boardwalks, a lake, picnic tables and a playground - it's all there!