The Western Isles of Scotland and Tourism in the UK

More and more areas of the world, which had previously been difficult to access to did not allow visitors, are becoming popular with tourists. The is also renewed interest in vacation destinations which were once popular in the distant past (the reasons for such renewed interest could be the resolution of war or something similar). The Western Isles of Scotland are one of the most unique places in the world today which are seeing increased numbers of tourists visiting each year.

The first tourist in Great Britain could be said to be those young men who did the "Grand Tour of Europe". Although the main aim of such a trip was to expand the mind, learning about new cultures, art and the likes it was often little more than an opportunity to meet important and/or influential people and have a wonderful time doing so.

For the adventurous tourist with a suitable budget there was always a visit to the unique islands of the Western Isles with the most interesting (and inaccessible) islands being at St Kilda. For the average working man choices were often limited to the annual works outing (where their places of work would close for the vacation) which was usually to somewhere not too far away.

With the development of air travel, and its steady decrease in cost and increase in wages, many British families were now able to afford to take European vacations. Instead of taking the family to the likes of Pontins and Butlins holiday camps in the UK, families now visited beaches in Spain, the South of France and the Mediterranean. Alternatively visitors from abroad started to visit the UK and many chose to visit places with unique aspects such as the Western Isles of Scotland, which started to become extremely popular with American and Canadian visitors as a vacation destination.

Today the tourism industry is extremely diverse but, maybe due to the increased knowledge of the dangers of over exposure to the sun, there seems to be a decreased interest in typical beach vacations and an almost corresponding increase in the number of people visiting inland destinations or other destinations which offer something unique. People are visiting the UK city of Liverpool in more numbers than ever before. Although this is, in part, due to the city being the European Capital of Culture this year it is also true that the steady increase means that it is now an important part of the local economy of that city.

Of all the islands around the United Kingdom some of the most fascinating are to be found amongst the Western Isles of Scotland. These remote islands, found off the west coast of Scotland, are home to many unique species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered, all set in the most astounding scenery in Scotland, the United Kingdom and, probably, Europe.

Also known to many as the Outer Hebrides the group, of over 200 islands, has a few which are inhabited and well known. The Isles of Harris, Lewis, North and South Uist, Barra and Benbecula are the most well known and most popular with tourists but there are several other small inhabited islands such as Scalpay which have some interesting aspects for the visitor, not least the incredible Gaelic culture (which has Celtic and Norse influences).

The Outer Hebrides have a long and fascinating history which goes back to prehistoric times. All over the islands can be seen evidence of their long gone inhabitants with the most spectacular, and most widely known, sites are the Standing Stones of Calanais. Once know as the Callanish Standing Stones they are now known in the Gaelic as are all place names. Happily the sign posts are in the Gaelic first but feature an English translation below.

Genealogy is another factor in the recent increases in tourism to the UK, Scotland and the Western Isles. The Scottish people are amongst the most widely traveled peoples in the world and the Hebrideans are amongst the most widely traveled in Scotland. This has resulted in a massive number of people from all around the world being able to trace their roots back to the islands. Will increases in the interest in genealogy many people are choosing to travel to the Outer Hebrides to research their family trees.

Accessibility has always been an important influencing factor in tourism and places which once seemed impossible to reach are now only a few hours away from a major conurbation. Not long ago it would take a few days hard, and dangerous, travel to reach such places as the Outer Hebrides and similar islands but today most have airports and quality road links. This is, most probably, the main reason why the islands are now a popular vacation destination.

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If you are thinking of visiting the islands then consider booking Isle of Harris bed and breakfast or Isle of Harris B and B accommodation as Harris has access to most other islands of interest.

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