The Outer Hebrides are well known across the globe for their sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, rich history, and warm hospitality.
So much so, that this week the island chain was listed as one Best of the World destinations for 2025 by travel authority National Geographic.
If you've got no plans for a Hebridean escape on the horizon, don't worry, as we've put together a list of 10 food and drink finds for a taste of all the area has to offer.
Stornoway Black Pudding
A true culinary institution that can be found on menus in the finest of restaurants across the UK has been produced by a family-run business on the Isle of Lewis for more than seven decades.
The winner of an incredible nine Great Taste Awards from the Guild of Fine Foods, this breakfast staple is made with beef suet, pork blood, a mix of spices and Scottish oatmeal to create a unique texture and distinctively rich flavour.
Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon
The entire smoking process at Uig Lodge is carried out by hand, beginning with the filleting of a whole salmon.
Fresh fillets are then cured in salt for several hours before being placed in a kiln to absorb the smoky aroma created by smouldering pure oak chips.
The team likes to keep the finer details of their recipe a secret, but the end result is an expertly balanced flavour that has in the past secured them the coveted distinction of three Great Taste gold stars.
Isle of Barra Distillers
isleofbarradistillers.com
This island distillery invites you to ‘immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Outer Hebrides’ with every sip of their Barra Atlantic Gin.
To achieve this, they rely heavily on a signature botanical of carageen seaweed which is sustainably sourced from the local coastline.
If vodka is your preferred tipple, look out for their Hebridean spirit which is triple distilled and released in batches of just 100 bottles.
Hebridean Charcuterie
hebrideancharcuterie.co.uk
Hebridean Charcuterie from Croft No.9 is the brainchild of Brian and Melinda Whitington, a duo with a shared passion for food provenance and sustainability.
From venison prosciutto to seasonal smoked goose breast, the wild and free-range animals that have sustained crofters in the Outer Hebrides for centuries now “form the backbone” of their range of cured meats.
SkyDancer Coffee
Located on the Island of South Uist is SkyDancer, the only coffee roasters in the Outer Hebrides.
Established with a vision to produce the “finest and freshest coffee”, small batches are processed in a drum roaster to bring out the subtle nuances of each green bean and its country of origin.
Isle of Harris Brewery
In July 2020, Nick, Anna and Spud the Brewery Dog began brewing, bottling and labeling beer from a small tin shed on their croft in Borrisdale.
Four years later, they’ve just completed their first summer at a new taproom, bottleshop and HQ at Leverburgh Pier which serves a core range of 10 beers alongside limited edition seasonal specials and bespoke creations.
The Hebridean Mustard Company
The German born-founder of Mustheb artisan mustards launched her company in 2017, on a mission to challenge our assumptions about the power of this punchy condiment.
Add a little pep to your plate with a Slàinte Liquorice blend said to pair well with robust meat like lamb and venison or ramp up the heat with a fiery Inferno Bliss infused with red jalapenos and cayenne pepper.
North Uist Distillery
From the Barra Atlantic featured in this week’s list to the Isle of Harris Distillery spirit which has taken the world by storm, there’s no shortage of wonderful gins produced in the Western Isles.
The North Uist Distillery deserves a mention amongst the best, and so too does their pre-mixed Negroni cocktail made with Oak aged Downpour Gin, vermouth and amaro for the perfect blend of sweet and bitter.
Stag Bakeries
stagbakeries.co.uk
Stag Bakeries has been an integral part of the foodie landscape of the Outer Hebrides since 1885.
Based in Stornoway and still following original recipes, their range of savoury bakes and sweet treats are stocked by big name retailers such as The House of Bruar and M&S.
Cheese straws with buttery pastry, seaweed-infused biscuits or classic oatcakes are sure to make any charcuterie board extra special as the festive season approaches.
Namara
This small seafood processing company on the Isle of North Uist is said to be surrounded by ‘some of the cleanest and most pollution-free waters in the world’.
If visiting the island, stop by their café for a sit-in lunch and some fresh fish to go, or instead, explore an online shop offering everything from Hebridean fresh king scallop meat to cocktail crab claws or whole cooked lobster.
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