It can seem quite formidable trying to get to the Outer Hebrides or the Western Isles as they are alternately known, but in reality it's not. There are two main ways of actually getting onto the islands and that's either by sea or air. Both have their own set of advantages and it comes down to personal preference. If coming by plane, it's only a short flight from Glasgow direct to Benbecula or via Barra. Coming via Barra is an experience in itself as you can only land here when the tides out as the run way is actually a stretch of beach. It's an excellent and very novel way to get to the Outer Hebrides as you skim over the top of locals searching the sands for cockles. If you fly in to Benbecula  in clear conditions the views are superb as you pass over the eastern hills you can see that the islands appear to be more water than land with the myriad of lochs that stretch out below you. You can also fly into Benbecula from Inverness or via Stornoway. Flights to Stornoway arrive from Glasgow and Inverness regularly throughout the week, even on Sundays nowadays.             

                                                                                               (Barra airport with tide in)                                 

Loganair operate 4 times daily to Stornoway from Glasgow, Edinurgh and Inverness. They also operate daily flights Glasgow to Barra and Benbecula. phone: 0345 222 111 or book online www.british-airways.com         British Midlands fly from Edinburgh to Stornoway seven days a week see; www.flybmi.com or telephone 0870 60 70 555. There are also flights from Inverness to Stornoway with Highland Airways; 0845 450 2245 or www.highlandairways.co.uk

The islands are also served by Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries sailing from both Oban and Uig in Skye to the southern isles and from Ullapool to Stornoway and Uig to Tarbet, Harris. Calmac also run the inter island ferries crossing the Sound of Harris between Leverburgh, Harris and Berneray, N Uist. In the far south there is a regular ferry connecting South Uist from Eriskay to Barra. Vehicles can be taken on all these routes although it's worth booking in advance, in the Summer at least. Book online www.calmac.co.uk or by phone: 08705 650 000.

Regular bus services provided by the Scottish Citylink connect with the ferries, call 0990 505 0505 or online: www.citylink.co.uk Skyeways Express Coaches operate between Glasgow and Inverness to Uig in Skye, tel: 01599 534 328.

Bringing your own vehicle has its own advantages, especially if you're not going to join a tour, as although there is a bus service it can restrict your movements to particular times of day. To really see the islands joining an organised tour will give you a good taste of what the place has to offer, even just a day will help provide useful insights into how the islands work. It's also possible to hire a vehicle once you get here from a variety of garages throughout the islands.

Bus timetables may be obtained from Stornoway Bus Station on 01851 704 327

Where to stay:

There are many places to stay throughout the islands from the rustic to top class hotels. For more information on accommodation online: www.visithebrides.com/accommodation or phone the National Booking and information service on: 0845 22 55 121.

Weather:

The weather is generally mild with little variation in temperature throughout the year (around 10 degrees warmer in the summer than the winter). The oceanic current known as the North Atlantic Drift influences the weather in the Outer Hebrides making summers generally cool and moist and the winters mild compared with other locations on the same latitude in mainland Scotland. The marine current originates in the Gulf of Mexico and not only transports warm water across the North Atlantic but is also responsible for the occasional appearance of turtles or coconuts along the miles of beaches. Being way out in the north-west reaches means that the islands frequently experience windy weather and storms may blow up at any time of year although December and January are the stormiest months. The islands have been shaped by the extremes of the weather over the millennia creating the shell-sand machair plains so rich in wildlife to the myriads of freshwater lochs and spectacular scenery, it's a truly enthralling place to visit at any time of the year.

 (Loggerhead Turtle, Baleshare Feb 2006)