The tourism industry is continually seeking out new vacation destinations to satisfy the ever increasing demands of the modern tourist however many are also taking a new interest in places which have been popular destinations of the past. The reasons for the decline in the areas popularity with tourist may not be applicable today (such reasons could include such things as wars ending). The Western Isles of Scotland are one of the most fascinating and beautiful places, in the world, which are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of folk taking vacations there.

The early UK tourists could be said to be more like explorers, than their modern counterparts, often traveling to difficult places to get to which were not often visited except for locals. European travel was generally limited to the very rich who indulged in the “Grand Tour of Europe” for educational reasons but mainly to meet new important friends and to generally have a wild time abroad.

In the United Kingdom, during the early days of the tourist industry, people generally tended to visit places not too far from where they lived or worked. Working men and women often had only the annual works outing to look forward to, which was attended by all of the employees while their work place was closed. Those of more means were able to venture further and some even went as far as traveling to the islands of St Kilda in the Western Isles of Scotland.

When air travel became cheaper more people could afford to travel abroad. Over time the family vacation was less to the British holiday camps like Butlins and Pontins and more to European destinations. Usually this was to Spain or, at least, somewhere with a beach and a bar. As some British destination fell into disuse the better transportation systems meant that areas previously considered inaccessible, such as the Western Isles and other places in Scotland, were now a possible vacation destination for the masses including visitors from Canada, America and elsewhere.

Today the tourism industry is extremely diverse but, maybe due to the increased knowledge of the dangers of over exposure to the sun, there seems to be a decreased interest in typical beach vacations and an almost corresponding increase in the number of people visiting inland destinations or other destinations which offer something unique. People are visiting the UK city of Liverpool in more numbers than ever before. Although this is, in part, due to the city being the European Capital of Culture this year it is also true that the steady increase means that it is now an important part of the local economy of that city.

The Western Isles of Scotland (mentioned above) are a small group of islands just off the Scottish west coast. Although there are over two hundred Isles only thirteen are still inhabited. These islands are amongst the most unique in Europe with unique landscapes, flora and fauna and it is for their uniqueness that many visitors choose to tour the islands.

As well as the islands being unique they also have some rather confusing qualities too. One of the most frustrating is that, for most people, they are more commonly known as the Outer Hebrides. The Outer Hebrides are widely known as the Gaelic heartland and while the culture on the Isle of Harris, Lewis, Barra, Benbecula and the Uists are truly Gaelic there is also evidence of influences from their Celtic and Norse past (which show through in place names and the likes).

The islands of the Outer Hebrides have been inhabited by man since prehistoric times. Driving around the islands you will immediately notice the enormous number of single standing stones and small stone circles. The most spectacular prehistoric site is to be found on the Isle of Lewis and is considered one of the most important stone circles in Europe. Just by the village of Calanais (Callanish in English) is a most interesting stone circle with four avenues and a number of satellite stone circles in the surrounding area. Every visitor to the islands should make a point of taking the trip out to see them.

The growth in the Internet has also had an impact in the number of people visiting the Western Isles. Many people now use the Internet to trace their family roots and, as the people from the islands are amongst the most widely traveled in the world, many can trace their families back to Harris, Lewis or one of the other islands (some of which are no longer inhabited). More and more people are visiting the islands to take their research further and to experience the land of the ancestors.

Accessibility has always been an important influencing factor in tourism and places which once seemed impossible to reach are now only a few hours away from a major conurbation. Not long ago it would take a few days hard, and dangerous, travel to reach such places as the Outer Hebrides and similar islands but today most have airports and quality road links. This is, most probably, the main reason why the islands are now a popular vacation destination.