Autumn & Winter Breaks

The Outer Hebrides environment is recognised internationally as being of global importance and for good reason – it is one of the last great wildernesses in Europe, right here on our doorstep. The islands have an amazing 53 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Three National Scenic Areas and four National Nature Reserves, full of rare and iconic species.

Autumn and winter months on Harris.

Autumn and Winter can be relatively mild with minimum snow fall. Although the pace of life is never very fast on Harris, during these months it becomes a little more sedate. Cafès and shops have limited opening times.

Wildlife

Quiet autumn mornings are a great time to chance upon otters feeding where the tide meets freshwater streams arriving on the shore. Common seals are also plentiful in the Outer Hebrides. The best time to see adults and fur-coated pups is during the autumn months,  where they can be seen lazing in shallow waters around the coasts and hauled up on rocks.

During the winter months there is still an abundance of wildlife to see such as Long-tailed duck, Surf and Common Scooters and Slovenian Grebes. Whooper Swans, Barnacle Geese, White-fronted Geese, Pink Footed Geese and Greylag Geese can also be seen at the beginning of the winter months. On leisurely walks along the coast you are likely to come across large concentrations of waders including Sanderling, Purple Sandpipers, Curlew, Shearwater and Greenshank.

Dark Skies

The Outer Hebrides are one of the UK’s best places for a break in the depths of winter thanks to the darkness of the region’s skies and lack of light pollution.

Between late September and March you can gaze in wonder at the spectacular “big” night sky with occasional displays of the ‘northern lights’.

Whatever the weather you can watch the ever changing colours and moods of the Atlantic Ocean from the large panoramic windows in the cottage.