Nature Reserves, Museums and Tourist Attractions in the Western Isles

Balranald (RSPB Reserve)

The reserve provides a cross section of sandy beaches, sand dunes, machir and moorland. The rocky foreshore and shallow lochs add to the wide variety of habitats.
Spring and summer brings the breeding birds, including corn crakes, skylarks, redshanks and lapwings, set of beautifully against the stunning machair. Barnacle geese start arriving in the autumn and overwinter here, joined by whooper swans, wigeons and teals.
Facilities include an information centre, 3 mile nature trail and guided walks between May and August.

Further information: RSPB website on Balranald Reserve or call 01463 715000.

Loch Druidibeg (National Nature Reserve)

A reserve of great contrasts between the sandy beaches and machair of the western edge of the reserve, and the heather moorland and rough grassland of the eastern stretches. Breeding birds include corncrakes, dunlin, redshank, lapwing, ringed plover and greylag geese.
Access to the south west corner is restricted during the breeding season to avoid disturbance.

Further information: NNR website on Loch Druidibeg Reserve. View reserve leaflet online.

North Rona and Sula Sgeir (National Nature Reserve)

These isolated islands provide a breeding site for the rare Leach’s and storm petrels as well as fulmars, gannets, razorbills, guillemots and puffins.
As the most remote NNR in Britain access is extremely difficult. To land on the islands could cause great disturbance to the nesting birds there. To quote from the NNR's leaflet "Please contact SNH in advance if you intend visiting and take a reserve supply of food in case bad weather stops you leaving. High winds are frequent and often violent, whilst the rocks, sheer cliffs and steep slopes can be very dangerous."
There are a small number of liveaboard wildlife cruises that include North Rona in their itineries, including Eda Frandsen from Mallaig, Kilda Cruises from Harris. See our wildlife tours and trips page for more information.

Further information: NNR website on North Rona and Sula Sgeir. View reserve leaflet online.

The Monach Isles (National Nature Reserve)

The five low-lying islands that make up the island group are renowned for their machair, breeding grey seals and sea birds, including one of the largest single black guillemot colonies in the UK. Although difficult to access, they are well worth the journey.

Further information: NNR website on the Monach Isles. View reserve leaflet online.

St. Kilda
(World Heritage Site, National Nature Reserve)

Reknowned as much for its location and history as for its stunning wildlife, St Kilda is a "must visit" destination for anyone interested in Scotlands wildlife. The archipelago supports Europe's most important seabird colony, including the world's biggest gannet colony and Britain's largest fulmar colony.
A number of charter boats make the trip each year, travelling from the western isles or the Scottish mainland. Access can be difficult, and tends to be restricted to the summer months.
See the wildlife tours and trips page for more information on visiting St. Kilda.

Further information: National Trust for Scotland St Kilda website. NNR website on St Kilda.