Did you say the Hebrides were 500 miles away?
From London, yes. But they are only a three-hour drive from Edinburgh and a ferry trip from Oban.
Is that the only way of getting there?
No. You can fly to Stornaway from various airports in Scotland, or travel by sea from Skye or Ullapool.
I assume, it's freezing all year round?
It's a little windy, certainly. But that drives away the fog and, at this time of year, there are only two hours of darkness. Since the islands are so far north, the chance of seeing the Northern Lights is also quite high at certain times of year.
Haven't I seen that coastline somewhere before?
Possibly in Whisky Galore, or in the Castaway TV series. (Incidentally, if you want to go and live there, the cheapest houses cost around £25,000 - and the authorities would like it if you did: migration to the mainland is a real problem here). It costs relatively little to stay in a B&B (from about £16) or hotel (£30), and most places are only a short walk from a beach.
Too cold for swimming?
For the hardy, the summer sea temperature is about 13C. Why not take a picnic and watch the seals, dolphins and puffins. If you are lucky, you might see a golden eagle or an otter, particularly on a special otter walk; or you could follow the otters' example and fish for salmon, trout and arctic char.
I want to get some exercise.
Cycling, kayaking, surfing, walking and golf are the other main activities - and, of course, genealogy: so many Hebrideans have left the islands that the tourist office hopes their descendants will want to come back. This is where this otherwise exemplary website becomes, frankly, embarrassing. "Have you ever wondered where you got those bushy red eyebrows?... why you feel a shiver down your spine when you hear the skirl of the bagpipes?"
