10-day itinerary in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides
Article updated on 23.06.25
The Outer Hebrides, off the north-west coast of Scotland, are a wild and spectacular archipelago, perfect for a road trip. Here, cliffs, turquoise beaches, Scottish sheep, surfing and Gaelic traditions await you.
We offer a 10-day itinerary through the main islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra, with our top tips for van-sleeping spots, breathtaking beaches and must-see places.
Our advice for travelling to the Outer Hebrides
1. Choose the right mode of transport
Vehicle: Ideally, you should have your own vehicle, or even better, a converted van in which you can sleep. The Outer Hebrides are perfectly suited to travelling in a van: there’s little traffic, plenty of parking with no height restrictions, and above all plenty of nature spots where you can spend the night for free or on donation. Respect nature: no fires, no rubbish, no noise, and always follow the Leave No Trace principles.
Cycling: Very popular with adventure seekers. The roads in the Hebrides are relatively quiet, with little traffic, making for an enjoyable trip. However, you’ll need to plan your itinerary well in advance, especially when it comes to ferries, refreshments and the weather, which is often changeable and sometimes harsh.
On foot: A choice for experienced walkers. Crossing the islands on foot means fully immersing yourself in the raw nature of the Hebrides. But beware: the distances between refreshment points can be considerable.
2. Book ferries
During the high season, and if you’re travelling with a van, remember to book ferries several days in advance. You can do this quickly on the Calmac website (and it’s even possible to change your ticket after you’ve bought it).
This itinerary requires 3 ferries:
- Ullapool → Stornoway (~2h30) : ~90£ for a van
- Leverburgh → Berneray (~1h) : ~27£
- Eriskay → Barra (~45 min) : ~22£
3. Set aside provisions
Supermarkets: Large supermarkets are concentrated in the larger towns: Stornoway (Isle of Lewis) has several options, including Tesco, Coop, etc. Tarbert (Isle of Harris) has a handy little Coop. Tarbert (Isle of Harris) has a handy little Co-op.
Outside these centres, the offer is very limited. Some islands or villages have only a small general shop, often expensive and with little choice. Think about doing some shopping before venturing into remote areas.
Petrol: Petrol stations are few and far between, especially outside Lewis and Harris. In any case, there is one petrol station per island, but not all of them are open 24 hours a day. Fill up as soon as you come across one (if you feel you’ll need to fill up soon).
10-day itinerary in the Outer Hebrides
Day 1: Ferry crossing
Start your adventure with a CalMac ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
👉 Duration: approximately 2 and a half hours.
It’s highly advisable to book your ticket in advance, especially during the summer months, as places (especially with a van) go quickly.
Once you arrive in Stornoway, take the opportunity to refuel and stock up (Coop and Tesco supermarkets). It’s one of the last major centres before diving into the wilderness of the islands.
Days 2-3: North Lewis
The Isle of Lewis is the largest in the archipelago and will immediately immerse you in the atmosphere of the Hebrides: sea breezes, stone houses, immense beaches and traces of an ancestral past. Between the megaliths, the cliffs and the small remote villages, these first few days set the tone for a trip in slow motion.
Not to be missed:
Butt of Lewis Lighthouse: the most northerly point on the island with its wild, windswept lighthouse. Ideal for seabird watching.
Port Stoth: a small hidden cove with turquoise waters, accessible via a narrow road.
Eoropie Beach: a long sandy beach popular with surfers.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village (fee required): recreation of a traditional village, with dry stone thatched houses.
Callanish Standing Stones: a stone circle dating back to the Bronze Age, mystical and spectacular at sunrise or sunset.
Camping spot :
Barvas Beach (58.3662, -6.54235): large beach with grassy area to land. Ideal for vans, free, no services but good 4G coverage.
Day 4-5: West Lewis
The west coast of Lewis is more rugged and beautiful. This is the realm of towering cliffs, windswept beaches and secluded huts. Perfect for a day exploring on foot or by van.
Not to be missed:
Cliff Beach (our favourite): a superb surfing beach in a wild setting. With few visitors, it offers incredible sunsets.
Reef Beach: a white sand beach with crystal-clear waters. Very photogenic and easily accessible.
Mangersta Bothy: a secret little hut also known as Eagle Nest. It is perched on the top of a cliff and can be reached by a short hike. The bothy is not shown on Google Map, but a little research will help you find it. You can park on the roadside here: 58.1731, -7.0912 and it’s up to you to set off on an adventure in search of this bothy (you’ll find it easily, there are clues along the way ;))
Camping spot :
Cliff Beach: small car park overlooking the waves. You can legally sleep here, but please play along and make a donation to the car park as requested.
Days 6-7: Island of Harris
To continue your journey to the island of Harris, no ferry is necessary: Lewis and Harris are in fact one and the same island, although often considered as two separate entities. The road between Stornoway and Tarbert is magnificent, crossing lochs, rocky valleys and peaceful little villages.
Not to be missed:
Hushinish: beautiful turquoise water where you can enjoy a short walk on the beach.
Luskentyre Beach: one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Magnificent at low tide when you can see the white sand.
Saltbox Sauna: wood-fired sauna with cold water bath in the sea. Book your place in advance on their website. And don’t hesitate to check out their other touring sauna in the Outer Hebrides.
Scarista beach: a lovely beach for walking and/or surfing.
Harris Distillery (in Tarbert): a great place to visit and sample the local gin and whisky.
The Golden Road: A winding road linking tiny hamlets, between rocks, lochs and forgotten coves.
Camping spot :
Luskentyre spot: Parking alongside the road but with a view over the fjord. Magnificent for the sunset. It is possible to sleep here legally, but please play along and make a donation to the car park as requested. GPS: 57.8722, -6.91113
Day 8-9: Uist & Benbecula
To reach the islands of North Uist and Benbecula, you’ll need to take a ferry south of Harris:
👉 Ferry from Leverburgh to Berneray (CalMac)
⛴️ Duration: approx. 1 hour.
The ferry is frequent but booking is still strongly advised, especially in summer. Once on Berneray, you’ll cross a superb bridge and then a series of raised causeways to reach North Uist, Benbecula and then South Uist.
Not to be missed:
Balranald Nature Reserve (North Uist): this protected nature reserve is excellent for watching seabirds, especially oystercatchers. Waymarked trails along the dunes and coastal meadows.
Traigh Iar Beach (Sollas): an immense, wild beach, often deserted, perfect for a meditative stroll or a picnic overlooking the Atlantic. When conditions are favourable, surfing is also possible.
Hosta Beach: popular for its surfing, but also for its wild, isolated feel. Access via a small road.
Cula Bay: another beach popular with surfers, with few visitors and bordered by dunes.
Benbecula Distillery: a rare distillery on these islands, producing artisanal whisky that is still little known. Visits by prior arrangement.
Camping spot :
Hosta Beach: wild site behind the dunes. Flat, stable ground, easy access even for large vans. No facilities, but perfect for a peaceful night lulled by the sound of the waves. GPS: 57.6267, -7.4993
Day 10: Barra
From Eriskay (south of South Uist), take the ferry to the charming island of Barra.
👉 Ferry Eriskay → Barra
⛴️ Duration: approximately 45 minutes.
Again, book in advance, especially if you’re travelling with a vehicle. The ferry drops you off at Ardmhor, north of Barra, from where you can easily explore the whole island.
Not to be missed:
Traigh Mhor Beach: the only beach of its kind in the world that doubles as a landing strip! See it at low tide.
Tangasdale Beach: a superb beach with easy access. Ideal for swimming.
Hike to Heaval: highest point on the island, with 360° views.
Traigh Shiar & Traigh a Bhaigh: beautiful walks on these two beaches south of Barra. You can also surf on Traigh Shiar.
Bagh A’Deas: The southernmost beach of Barra.
Camping spot :
Vatersay: car park between the two beaches. GPS : 56.9249, -7.5380
This 10-day road trip through the Outer Hebrides offers you a complete immersion in the archipelago, from the north of Lewis to the isolated beaches of Barra. But this itinerary remains flexible:
- Less time? In 7 days, you can explore Lewis and Harris, two islands rich in contrasts, without running.
- More time? With 15 or 20 days, you can really slow down, hike more, or even stay several nights at the same spot to savour the peace and quiet.
We highly recommend this trip because the Outer Hebrides are very different from the rest of Scotland. Here, there are no big crowds or overly touristy sites like in the Highlands or on the Isle of Skye. The atmosphere is more raw, more isolated, and deeply authentic. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track while enjoying some exceptional scenery, this is clearly a destination not to be missed.
Just remember to book your crossings if you have a vehicle, respect nature… and let yourself be carried away by the slow pace of the islands.
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