The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival 2025 programme is here - surf and snorkel safaris, boat trips, wildlife walks, creative workshops and more!

This year’s programme has been announced and features a diverse range of free and paid-for events, including: guided walks in both English and Gaelic looking for otters, eagles, bumblebees and more; whale and dolphin boat tours; climate solutions workshops; surf, snorkel and SUP safaris; art exhibitions; a gin tasting; sea kayaking; gorge scrambling; creative workshops; and a public art event at Traigh Mhor, North Tolsta, commemorating the 2023 pilot whale mass stranding. 

The main week of the Festival will be taking place from the 21st to the 28th of June, with celebrations continuing in a Fringe Festival running through to the end of July.  

With events taking place across Lewis, Harris, Uist, Barra and the surrounding islands, the Festival offers locals and visitors alike a unique chance to explore the biodiversity of the Outer Hebrides in a fun, inclusive, and locally-rooted way. 

Organised by conservation programme, Species on the Edge, in collaboration with community groups, local venues, and conservation charities, the Festival aims to deepen connections—with each other, with the land and sea, and with the wildlife we share our island home with. 

Festival Coordinator Màiri said: “We aim to support communities in bringing their ideas to life and creating space for shared experiences. From keeping alive the traditional ways of looking after the machair at the heart of local communities to pollinator planting, the Wildlife Festival is all about connection—with each other, and with the incredible nature that surrounds us.” 

Shona MacLellan from RSPB Scotland, said: “The RSPB are delighted to be delivering a series of free guided walks as part of the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival again this year. It's a great opportunity to highlight the fantastic wildlife that can be found locally, with our staff on hand to show the work the RSPB does and how that helps nature on the islands. From Barra to Lewis, we hope to see the variety of wildlife that can be found in these places such as eagles, otters, waders and maybe even the corncrake.” 

Explore the full programme on the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival website: www.outerhebrideswildlifefestival.co.uk 

What’s on 

Nature Walks & Wildlife Tours 

Guided walks with the RSPB, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, North Harris Trust, and many more. Join local guides exploring the machair, moorlands, and coasts, spotting species such as corncrakes, red-necked phalaropes, hen harriers, eagles, otters, seals, dolphins, whales and much more. 

Marine Encounters 

Whale and Dolphin Boat Tour with Immerse Hebrides: a thrilling RIB adventure from Stornoway in search of dolphins, minke whales, seals, abundant marine bird life and more. 

Sea-gazing at Whale Trail Sites: Join Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust at Huisinis, Tiumpan Head, Gallan Head and aboard the MV Loch Seaforth for marine wildlife surveys and citizen science training. 

Adventures & Water Sports 

Snorkelling with Wild Harris: Led by Daryll, a qualified snorkel leader, free diver and marine biologist, discover vibrant marine habitats and a variety of fascinating sea life, including flat fish, starfish, sand eels, crabs, jellyfish and vividly coloured algae/seaweed in Scotland’s second snorkel trail right here in North Harris. 

Surfing, sea kayaking and SUP: Dive in with SurfLewis in an exciting series of outdoor, ocean-based adventures. Led by a marine biologist and keen ornithologist, sessions offer a perfect mix of water sports, wildlife watching, and nature connection across stunning Hebridean landscapes in Lewis and Harris. 

Gorge scrambling, kayaking and coasteering: Join the Scaladale Centre for adrenaline-fuelled outdoor activities designed to immerse participants in the wild, watery landscapes of Harris. 

Gaelic & Cultural Connections 

Bilingual bird walks led by the RSPB: explore the Gaelic names and folklore of our local species. 

Get Creative  

Cyanotype, creative writing and photography workshops: Explore the amazing wildlife of the Outer Hebrides with Emilie from Nature through a family friendly instant photography walk, a multi-sensory photography workshop designed for participants with additional support needs, cyanotype printing and creative writing. 

Barra birdies with Katy Malone: Join keen crafter Katy Malone for a fun and hands-on paper clay workshop, where you'll make and decorate your very own Barra Birdie to take home. 

Seabirds art workshops: discover the wonders of the natural world through Seabirds Art Workshops taking place in community venues across Lewis and Harris. 

Special Events & Talks 

Keening: The Song of the Stranding: a moving community remembrance event at Traigh Mhor, Lewis, in honour of the 55 pilot whales lost in 2023, blending sand sculpture, music, and storytelling. 

In the Wake of Whales: join artist Sam Gare for creative workshops in Uist, Harris and Stornoway, painting life-sized whales, sharing encounters, stories and community reflections on our connections with the sea and marine life. 

Discovering a Uniquely Scottish Ecosystem: the wet meadows of the Outer Hebrides: join Floodplain Meadows Partnership for a fascinating online talk on our rare plant communities, and how water, nutrients, and traditional land use shape them. Hear about pioneering efforts to conserve this critical habitat. 

Nature-based solutions workshop: join Climate Hebrides for a workshop exploring how climate and nature are deeply connected in the Outer Hebrides and the powerful role nature-based solutions can take in addressing the climate crisis. 

Coffee with a Conscience: head to Skyedancer Coffee Roastery & Art Café for a weekly conversation series over coffee. Learn about the ecology, behaviour, and conservation challenges of the magnificent Hen Harrier and discover how your coffee choices can help protect wildlife and ecosystems. 

Bumblebee G&T: Join North Uist Distillery and Bumblebee Conservation Trust for a special gin tasting experience. Learn about the essential role that bumblebees play in pollinating the botanicals that go into the gin and how you can help our bumblebees thrive in the islands.  

Art Exhibitions 

Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival Art Exhibition: Head to An Lanntair Café Foyer to enjoy nature-inspired pieces from local artists.