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Article By: DonaldMacDonald
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The Outer Hebrides of Scotland
Further out, and separated by the Minch, from the Isle of Skye, in the Inner Hebrides, the islands look out across the Atlantic ocean. The Atlantic has played a major role in the development of the islands, it has provided the fish for the menfolk to catch but it's main role has been in the shaping of the spectacular coastline.
It would seem that wherever you turn in the Outer Hebrides there appears an archaeological site. There are certainly many unusual mounds, lumps and bumps which could easily be ancient burial chambers and each year more and more sites are unearthed and documented. One of the most famous sites is to be found in the small village of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis. The standing stones there rather than forming a stone circle they have and inner circle and four avenues making a shape rather like a cross or crucifix.
The Outer Hebrides are also incredibly interesting for their rather unique flora and fauna (much of which is endangered). Surprisingly there are areas of ground which are extremely fertile, rather than damaging the ground the Atlantic weather fronts work to enrich the ground with a dusting of shell sand rich in calcium and other minerals. Though this land, called Machair, is only thin it manages to bring forth a multitude of wild flowers which appear as a blanket of color in the spring and summer months.
The countryside of the Outer Hebrides is world renowned. While many consider the interior of the Isle of Lewis just to be boring moorland others see a unique and important habitat and others enjoy the excellent fishing in the many lochs and lochans dotted all over the island. However the finest scenery has to be along the coastal areas of both east and west.
The beaches of the Outer Hebrides are truly astounding and many consider them to be amongst the greatest in Scotland, the United Kingdom and some even believe them to be the finest beaches in Europe. You will find the beaches along the west coast of the islands (the east coast is rocky), with the best beaches being to the south.
Sport is something else which attracts many to the Outer Hebrides and, in recent years, a number of competitions and tournaments have helped increase awareness in surfing and other sports such as running and cycling. Of course golf and fishing remain as popular as ever and hill walking, rambling and mountaineering continue to be popular also. Windsurfing and wind carting are becoming popular on the larger beaches and it is common to see numerous kites from a distance.
All across the Outer Hebrides are superb places to enjoy a wide variety of sports. While golf, fishing and hunting remain as popular as ever newer sports are becoming increasingly important. Surfing and other sea & wind related sports such as wind surfing and wind carting have recently become extremely popular. However, when you visit you will notice just how popular cycling vacations are here.
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