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The Outer Hebrides: A Travel Video

March 28, 2016 By Katie MacLeod 51 Comments

uter Hebrides Travel Video

The Outer Hebrides.

It’s where I spent the majority of this month, and where I will always feel at home, no matter where life takes me. ย While there will be plenty blog posts to come from my recent time in the islands, I wanted to try and tell a more visual tale of my three weeks at home in the Hebrides.

Thanks to my upgrade to an iPhone (how did it take me so long?!), I’ve been playing around with travel videos, recording moments everywhere from a rainforest in Puerto Rico to the mountains of the Isle of Skye.

Naturally, I wanted to try and capture my home (a place I consider one of the most beautiful in the world) on film too. While I work on the words and stories to come, here’s a little video preview: my highlights from three weeks in the Outer Hebrides.

Music: The Story, by Runrig (one of my all-time favourite songs, from an album I highly recommend!)

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What are your thoughts on travel videos? Have you ever visited the Outer Hebrides, or would you like to?

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If you enjoyed this video, you might like:

A Boat Trip to the Shiant Isles – On Video!

A Local’s Guide To Visiting the Outer Hebrides

21 Must-Have Travel Experiences in the Outer Hebrides

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Comments

  1. Graham Edwards says

    March 28, 2016 at 2:16 am

    I can’t believe that was done on an iPhone. It’s exactly the ‘short’ that would introduce so many people I know around the world to ‘my’ world. And I think that the choice of that Runrig number was a superb one. You are inspiring me to greater efforts. In the meantime I shall point friends in this direction.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 28, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Thanks Graham, glad you liked it! I only got an iPhone recently, but I’m amazed at what it can do. And I love that Runrig song – it always makes me think of home ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    • Mark A. Greenwood says

      March 28, 2016 at 11:41 am

      Well I did as I was told and followed the link from your blog GB. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

      Excellent writing, fabulous photos/videos and a brilliant choice in music. I’m a huge Runrig fan (saw them recently in Sheffield) and I actually think your video is a better visual for that track than the official video! I really must make the time for a trip to Lewis to see all these places for myself.

      Reply
      • Katie MacLeod says

        March 29, 2016 at 8:03 am

        Thanks so much for the kind words, Mark! Glad you enjoyed the video ๐Ÿ™‚ And hopefully you make it there for a visit someday!

        Reply
  2. Catriona Dunn says

    March 28, 2016 at 8:36 am

    Took the liberty to share it on Facebook. Very well received.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 28, 2016 at 8:47 am

      Thanks Catriona ๐Ÿ™‚ !

      Reply
  3. Chris Clarke says

    March 28, 2016 at 9:28 am

    A nice start to the week. A lovely short reminder of a favorite part of the world.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:04 am

      Thanks Chris ๐Ÿ™‚ It’s my favourite part of the world too!

      Reply
  4. Catherine Kennedy says

    March 28, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Beautiful film Katie, you even managed to get the snowy mainland hills in. Couldn’t be more different from your new home (but New York is pretty special too).
    Love reading your posts and can’t wait to hear more stories about your time here.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Thanks Catherine! I love the days when you can see across to the mainland from Point – glad you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚ Plenty more stories to come too!

      Reply
  5. Marion says

    March 28, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Fantastic video of home. So pleased I’m heading that way at the weekend. Well done.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:08 am

      Thanks Marion ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope you have a wonderful time at home!

      Reply
  6. Annmarie Fowler says

    March 28, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    I have the great fortune of living on the beautiful Isle of Lewis and I was delighted to see this lovely video on facebook today and recognize many places that I love to visit myself, even though I live here. We love our visitors and I’m sure that, like many before you, you will return because you know there’s always a welcome for you here. Lots of love xxx

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:12 am

      Thanks Annmarie! Glad to hear you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚ I always think that visiting places close to home can be just as good as a trip abroad!

      Reply
  7. Kylie says

    March 28, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    Wow, great capture from an iPhone! Didn’t realise the quality was as good as that! It looks like a really awesome place, deserted beaches in the sun are always a winner! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:13 am

      Thanks Kylie! It’s one of the reasons I love my new iPhone so much – it’s really easy to film on too. And the Outer Hebrides are one of the best places on earth… but then again I am completely biased ๐Ÿ™‚ !

      Reply
  8. Christine Macdonald Pratt says

    March 28, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    This was marvelous; brought me to tears. I long to go back but unable to do it so I love all your blogs/posts. Thank you so much and so glad you had a wonderful holiday back “home.”

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:14 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it Christine ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope I can bring you a few more bits of ‘home’ in the next few weeks!

      Reply
  9. DONNIE says

    March 28, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    Glad you got down to Uist, and enjoyed your stay at Margarets. Although the weather was poor, I’m sure it was a worthwhile and eventful trip.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:19 am

      Thanks Donnie -we had a brilliant time at Margaret’s! And even though the weather was dreadful there’s lots to write about ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  10. Alan Cunningham says

    March 28, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    Great film. sometime it takes a visitor to remind those of us who live in Scotland what a wonderful country it is

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:21 am

      Thanks Alan! I completely agree. I’m from the Outer Hebrides, but it was going back after living away for a few years that made me look at it differently, and appreciate what a wonderful place we live in.

      Reply
  11. Eddy Carter says

    March 28, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    Having visited Stornaway a few times I can say that is just as we remember it , been to Harris as well . September is a good month to go , the video is exellant well done.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Thanks Eddy! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and that it brought back some good memories for you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. Teresa Kirk says

    March 28, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    I loved your video & Runrig track. I am doing the Island hopper this summer & looking forward to it so much….something ticked of my list of places to visit

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Thanks Teresa! I hope you have an amazing time island hopping (and that you get some good weather too!)

      Reply
  13. Neil Macaulay says

    March 29, 2016 at 6:08 am

    Hi Katie,just got back from North Uist and to see your film is So fitting,great choice of song.Brilliant

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Thanks Neil! I love that Runrig song – always reminds me of home and the islands!

      Reply
  14. Donnie says

    March 29, 2016 at 8:00 am

    Wow! Brilliant video and great choice of song! Trying to make more videos on the iPhone here – but still a way to go! Loved the video – still to try Harris Gin! Cheers Donnie

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 8:29 am

      Thanks Donnie! I’m still amazed at how good the iPhone is for capturing and creating videos. I didn’t use it for this video, but the Cameo App by Vimeo is great for iPhone videos – it’s what I’ve used for all my previous travel videos, and it’s really easy and intuitive to use.

      And Harris Gin is delicious – I definitely recommend a sip or two ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  15. Janette Turbe says

    March 29, 2016 at 8:58 am

    Love the video, on my list 2017 for sure

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 29, 2016 at 9:08 am

      Thanks Janette – delighted to hear the Hebrides are on your to-visit list!

      Reply
      • janette turbe says

        March 29, 2016 at 7:05 pm

        Katie, this video has given me so much pleasure today I keep watching it over and over…… I am Scottish from Old Kilpatrick and I just want to go home more when I watch this video especially the music by
        Runrig. Thank you for posting

        Reply
        • Katie MacLeod says

          March 30, 2016 at 9:05 am

          Thanks so much for your kind words, Janette ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the video!

          Reply
  16. Suzanne Jones says

    March 30, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Love the video and the music compliments it perfectly. I’d love to visit (and try the Harris Gin!)

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      March 30, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      Thanks Suzanne! I highly recommend visiting (and I definitely recommend trying the Harris Gin! You can even order it online from the distillery…)

      Reply
  17. Lynne Nieman says

    March 31, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Love the video, Katie! I’ve not been to Scotland yet, but it’s so high on my list. This makes me want to pack my bags and go!!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

      Thanks so much, Lynne! I hope you make it to Scotland sometime soon ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  18. Homeschool on the Croft says

    March 31, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    Absolutely beautiful! I think when you spend time away from the island, you come to appreciate its beauty with new eyes … that was true for me at least. We spent the first twelve years of our married life on the mainland, but were so glad to spend the next twelve years ‘back home’. It was wonderful to be able to give our own kids a similar experience to the lives we’d had growing up.
    To us, and to them, Ness will always be home….. as you say, no matter where our suitcases take us.
    Anne x

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Thanks so much for your lovely comment Anne ๐Ÿ™‚ I completely agree; after being away from home, you really do appreciate it more when you return. We are so lucky to have grown up somewhere so beautiful. And I’m the same – Lewis will always be home, no matter where I end up! x

      Reply
  19. Carolyn says

    April 15, 2016 at 11:16 am

    Stunning video set to perfect music. Thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your home. Growing up there, did you appreciate the views or did you have to leave and return to see what you had? I often wonder if I had grown up someplace beautiful, would I have become immune to it? I certainly find the beauty now.

    Thanks for a glimpse into your Scotland…

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:53 am

      Thank you, Carolyn! As a child I appreciated it – it’s a wonderful place to grow up – but as a teenager I felt ready to leave. So yes, returning as an adult made me love the islands more than ever ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  20. Elizabet says

    May 5, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    Hi Katie, just returned totday from my holiday
    In Scotland. Was in Lewis and Harris for 1 week. My third time. I looooooooove it. The beauty is beyond words.
    Try to go back in the summer. Your film is so Nice! I can show my friends where i have been. Thank you so much! Greetings from Holland!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      May 9, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Hi Elizabet, thanks so much for your lovely comment! I’m so happy to hear you loved Lewis and Harris – and that you enjoyed the video too ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  21. Anne-Mette says

    May 19, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Hi Katie,
    What a wonderful and inspiring video. Hope it’s OK that I shared it with my friends and family on Facebook for them to see my coming destination? I am one of the lucky ones to visit the Hebridies this year and was very grateful for your 21 must sees Great blog!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      May 22, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Anne-Mette! Thank you for your kind words about the video – I’m so happy you enjoyed it! And I’m delighted you shared it with your family and friends ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope you enjoy your trip to the islands this year!

      Reply
  22. Karen tamblin says

    May 23, 2016 at 4:36 am

    Fantastic. Was in stornoway last year meeting relatives I didn’t know existed until last year . long story! ! Going to see Runrig at Edinburgh Castle in July. It’s truly in my heart now. beautiful place beautiful people.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      May 23, 2016 at 7:46 am

      Thanks Karen! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Stornoway (and I’m very jealous of you going to see Runrig!)

      Reply
  23. Ian Schneider (Born Ian Lamont McGonnigal ) says

    May 23, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    That was wonderful. My grandfather was Alexander Murdoch MacLeod, my father was James Finley McGonnigal.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      May 24, 2016 at 9:54 am

      Thanks Ian – I’m so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  24. Eve Andrew says

    September 5, 2017 at 5:15 am

    Enjoyed reading your blog and also your article on the BBC website. I visited Harris and Lewis in the 80ยดs long before the arrival of social media. I stayed on Harris at a place called Geocrab. What an amazing lunar landscape! I did quite a bit of sketching there. I have developed a passion for islands since my departure from Scotland in the 80ยดs As a child my parents took me to Tiree on the Inner Hebrides. That was an experience I wonยดt forget. In those days the island was undevloped. I remember lying on my back on the machair stargazing, watching the shooting stars, with the cattle sleeping next to me, not so far from Scarinish. ….

    Reply

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I'm Katie, an expat Scot in the States, and the journalist behind Stories My Suitcase Could Tell, the travel blog which inspires you to explore the world. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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