The Natural Environment

Marine

Hebridean seascapes are some of the most beautiful in the world, and just by looking at the changing colours of the sea, you can see that it is full of life.

The waters around our shores are crystal clear and when they wash onto the white sands of the west coast, they have a beautiful Caribbean blue and turquoise colour.

There are incredibly consistent swells hitting our shores from the Atlantic, which produce great surf and spectacular rollers, which crash onto cliffs and rocks.

The Minch is one of the most productive marine areas in the United Kingdom and has been awarded a four star rating for whale watching by the BBC Wildlife Magazine.

The marine life around these islands is incredible: Dolphins, Seals, Sharks and Whales, hunt alongside fishermen from all over the world for the plentiful bounty of fish, squid and shellfish around the Hebrides.

10% of the European population of Scottish Common seals live in the sea lochs of the Outer Hebrides: they can be seen sunning themselves on rocks and beaches all around the islands.

With its clean, clear waters, the Hebrides is famous for wild Atlantic salmon and fresh shellfish, which is exported all over the world.

We have some of the deepest kelp forests in Britain in our islands, which is home to an amazing array of wildlife.