Winter Holidays in Scotland
Cosy nights & long beach walks - Enjoy the Isle of Harris in Winter Check AvailabilityWinter Holidays in Scotland
Scotland in Winter is more than snow-covered mountains in the Highlands! Travel a little further and you can enjoy both – snowy mountains and beautiful beaches and have all the Scottish landscape to yourself!
If you are planning your winter holidays in Scotland, you should consider the Outer Hebrides as your perfect winter holiday destination.
The Isle of Harris is a place for those who love winter. As soon as we reach November Òran na Mara becomes a place full of warmth and cosiness. Hygge means being cosy and comfortable with friends and family during the winter months. It’s about enjoying the simple pleasures in life things like cosy fires, hot chocolate, mulled wine, yummy baked goods and that’s exactly the experience we are seeking to create for you…
Long beach walks in Winter
Hygge on Harris
We are excited to be the first and only place in the Outer Hebrides that provides a hygge experience for just four months of the year. To bring this tradition to life we will provide you with favourite things like winter treats, velvety hot chocolate, music from Spotify’s Chill list on our Sonos surround sound system, nights spent stargazing and days spent on wild windy walks. Experience hygge in the Outer Hebrides only at Òran na Mara.
Stunning starscapes & wild weather!
The winter months here in the Isle of Harris offer a breathtaking blend: stunning starry skies and sometimes wild weather. Nature is at its best during these long nights; you just need to go out looking for it! You might see the famous Northern Lights dancing across the sky, catch sight of a shooting star streaking past…
Why visit Òran na Mara in Hygge season?
The nightscapes
The nightscapes in Harris at this time of year are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The stars blaze bright, and there’s something about being in a place with no light pollution that makes your heart feel at peace
The wild weather
A beautiful location to visit in the wintertime because you might experience some wild weather like nowhere else in the UK. The unpredictable climate on this island make it an exciting place to come and explore during the winter.
The unique experience
It’s a magical place where you can experience all that is beautiful about our planet and its diverse natural wonders in their most pristine state.
The cosiness
Òran na Mara offers the most serene and charming winter retreat. Come experience a warm, cosy feeling by our fireside as you curl up with your favourite book or enjoy quality time with friends over dinner.
Winter Photography in the Outer Hebrides
Amazing light and magical scenery...
Shrouded by fog and mist, its stark landscapes have been captured beautifully on film, with these windswept hills and vistas showcasing their natural beauty to a backdrop of sea-laced skies during sunrise or sunset; photographers are sure to find some wonderful opportunities for shots that will last them a lifetime!
The quality of light unique to the winter makes it perfect for keen photo enthusiasts who want shots with mood and depth. Take advantage of the incredible views offered up here: lonely beaches with dark mountains in the distance and clear atlantic waters.
The scenery is stunning, no matter what the weather. We were blessed to have had a sunny daytrip to the extraordinary St Kilda.
The sea-stacks were out of this world, and we saw puffins and gannets. We also spotted two golden eagles flying high to the west of the house that really made our holiday.
Wow, what a wonderful place. The wild and beautiful surroundings are perfection.
The perfect location for the perfect holiday with the best views in the world! What a week – wall to wall sunshine!
When we pulled back the curtains on the first morning, having arrived in the dark, the view was worth every single minute of the journey.
I thought I’d woken up in heaven each morning! We had a fantastic time and fell in love with Harris.
Four winter months that are a gentle oasis of cosy goodness...
November
November is a perfect time to stay in the Isle of Harris because it’s when all the tourists are gone and you can enjoy some peace and tranquility…hygge style.
December
January
The end-of-year hustle and bustle can be overwhelming, see the new year in with beautiful scenery that will leave you feeling truly refreshed.
February
The Isle of Harris has a warm and welcoming climate all year round, but it’s especially lovely around this time – with spectacular light and a great time for stargazers.
Find out more about the Isle of Harris
Plan your Hebridean Holiday and create amazing memories
10 Must-Visit Islands That Will Take Your Breath Away
Published on 18 March 2023I am very fortunate to have travelled extensively, for business and for pleasure. I also absolutely love islands. They are so different from their mainlands, with their own character, landscape, light, cuisine, and sometimes unique flora and...
See the Northern Lights in Scotland – Attend the Outer Hebrides Dark Skies Festival
Published 12 January 2023The best night skies in Scotland - Discover the wonders of the cosmos A special event is the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival. This festival celebrates the unique and beautiful night sky you can observe in this part of the world, which has some...
Top 5 Safety Tips when travelling with your dog by ferry to the Isle of Harris
Published 10 January 2023Top tips for bringing your dog to the Isle of Harris A trip to the Isle of Harris with your furry best friend can be a great way to explore this beautiful island and create lasting memories with your dog. We welcome well-behaved dogs at Òran...
Visit the Outer Hebrides and start your Hebridean Adventure
Published 10 January 2023The Outer Hebrides are very different from the mainland of Scotland. The long Hebridean island chain lies off the west coast of Scotland, with the main islands being Barra to the south, the South and North Uist in the centre, and then to the...
Best Luxury Holiday Homes Isle of Harris
Best Luxury Holiday Homes Isle of HarrisIn the last 20 years, the Isle of Harris has become one of the best hide-away holiday destinations in Scotland. If you’re looking for a luxury Harris holiday home, we have put a list together for you.Published on 20 November...
Harris Weather – Forecast, Winter Climate & Temperatures
Harris in winter is brilliant! Want to know why? You’ve got the island, the beaches, the countryside mostly to yourself! Imagine going for a beach walk and not seeing another soul. Harris in winter is for those who really want to switch off, get away from it all and sit back, relax, sit by the fire, finish a novel or two, take amazing photographs, enjoy the starry skies and be rewarded with the Northern Lights.
The Best Beaches on the Isle of Harris
The Isle of Harris – part of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland – is undoubtedly known for it’s fantastic beaches. They look like they’ve been transported out of the Carribean, they just forgot to add the temperature and the constant sunshine.
Top 10 Rainy day activities Isle of Harris
If Harris is known for one thing – then it’s the weather and the unpredictability of it! The weather in the Outer Hebrides can be “interesting”: blue skies and then gail force winds at the same times, or horizontal rain. Nevertheless, Harris and Lews have got lots to offer on rainy days.
Electric Car Charging Outer Hebrides
Just as petrol stations are more sparse on the Isle of Harris and the Outer Hebrides in general, so are electric vehicle charge points. You do need to plan your EV journey to take account of this. But as an EV driver, you will be used to planning ahead, and with Scotland being EV-friendly you should have an excellent experience.