“A Lewis man would be homesick in heaven.” I’m not sure where I first heard it, but this phrase – about the island in the Outer Hebrides where I’m from – has stuck with me ever since. It felt particularly…
How to Experience Gaelic in the Outer Hebrides
When you think of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, you might think of beautiful beaches, Harris Tweed, or gin distilleries. But what makes visiting the Outer Hebrides truly unique is the Gaelic culture and language, giving the islands an identity which offers…
An Expat’s View of the Importance of Language
Growing up in the Outer Hebrides, Gaelic was just… there. I never thought anything of it. Everyone around me was bilingual. My parents spoke it, as did my grandparents and every one of our neighbours. Gaelic was a normal part…
15 Scenic Sights That Will Make You Want to Visit the Outer Hebrides
From beautiful beaches to historic blackhouses, picturesque harbours to crumbling forts, there’s an Instagram-worthy shot around every bend in the road in the Outer Hebrides. Here are some of my favourites, which might just inspire you to visit the Outer…
On Leaving Home, and Loving the Hebrides
Some say home is where the heart is, but I think home is different things to different people. I think, although I cannot speak for us all, that home has a particular meaning for us islanders: for the Leòdhasachs, the…