all the essential information you could need to visit the outer hebrides
Voted the Number 1 European Island to visit by TripAdvisor in 2014, it’s not difficult to see why the Isle of Lewis consistently receives so much acclaim...
From beaches and crystal clear waters that rival the most tropical of luxury islands, to its rich history and stunning scenery, this utterly spectacular (and surprisingly accessible) destination in the Outer Hebrides is an excellent choice for a Scottish staycation.
Where are the Outer Hebrides?
How to travel to Stornoway (and Lews Castle)
When travelling from mainland Great Britain to Stornoway there are plenty of options to choose from;
ARRIVE VIA FERRY
With daily passages arriving directly into Stornoway harbour (within eyeline of Lews Castle), one popular way of travelling to the Outer Hebrides is via ferry. As one of Scotland's largest providers, Calmac (Caledonian Macbrayne) is a great starting point for planning your journey from mainland Scotland to either the Isle of Lewis or the Isle of Harris.
The route we try and recommend to guests is the crossing between Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands to Stornoway Harbour. The voyage lasts around 2.5 hours, with plenty of on-board amenities to keep you entertained. Ullapool is approximately 4.5 hours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, meaning that those travelling from Scotland could happily make the journey to Stornoway in just half a day.
VIEW THE CALMAC FERRY TIMETABLE & BOOK TICKETS
ARRIVE VIA PLANE
For those looking to hop on a flight to Stornoway Airport, there is a varied route map and flight schedule from all over mainland UK. We recommend starting your planning via LoganAir, who specialise in short-haul, domestic flights to the Scottish highlands and islands. Guests from England can take advantage of connecting flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, with the route taking less than a few hours in most cases.
At Stornoway Airport there are a number of car rental services, and with the terminal being small and perfectly formed, your arrival will be a walk in the park!
VIEW THE LOGANAIR FLIGHT SCHEDULE
NAVIGATING TO LEWS CASTLE
Both Stornoway Ferry Port and Stornoway Airport are within a 10-minute drive of Lews Castle, making your transfer short, smooth and stress-free! The Isle of Lewis is well signposted and guests have no trouble navigating from their arrival point to our luxurious accommodation overlooking the harbour.