A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Outer Hebrides vs. Loch Lomond National Park for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a natural, tranquil, and serene archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a relaxing, scenic, and serene national park. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less hiking options


Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Outer Hebrides than Loch Lomond National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries. Also, Outer Hebrides is famous for Barra. Loch Lomond National Park is well known for becoming the first designated national park in Scotland in 2002.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Loch Lomond National Park and Outer Hebrides. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Outer Hebrides is a great archipelago for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Outer Hebrides has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some traditional Scottish food to sample but in general for the best food, head to one of the nicer hotels in the area.


Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Outer Hebrides is a great archipelago for the beach. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Outer Hebrides attract visitors from all over. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Outer Hebrides is an amazing archipelago to visit for hiking. Also, Loch Lomond National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for the nearby hiking options.

Around Outer Hebrides visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some nice hiking trails. You can choose from relaxing walks or more strenuous hikes and options run along the shoreline or into the surrounding hills and forests. Some of the more popular hikes in the area include Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, and Callander Crags.

Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Families?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Loch Lomond National Park is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a wide range of diverse activities for kids around the park. They can explore the maze at the Lodge Forest Visitor Center, get up close with animals at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, or Loch Lomond Pony Trekking, or have an adventure at Doune Castle. Other highlights for the kids include Wellsfield Farm and the Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Outer Hebrides. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.


Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park both very good destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Couples visit Loch Lomond National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many waterfront accommodation options that make for a beautiful and peaceful couples retreat. The nature and serenity is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all.

Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Loch Lomond National Park. There are some camping options available for backpackers and those who want to experience nature in its fullest.

Is Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Outer Hebrides
Loch Lomond National Park

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park.

Public transit is mostly limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Public transit is generally limited in Loch Lomond National Park. You can reach the park by train, but transportation option within the area are generally limited.


For even more information, also check out Is Outer Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 2-4 days is enough time in Loch Lomond National Park.

Families should spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park than Outer Hebrides. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Loch Lomond National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Outer Hebrides than Loch Lomond National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Outer Hebrides that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Outer Hebrides than Loch Lomond National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Outer Hebrides.


  • How many days in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Outer Hebrides 4-10 
    Loch Lomond National Park 2-4

One day in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the remote archipelago of Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

In Loch Lomond National Park, you'll find . But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Outer Hebrides. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the hiking. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Loch Lomond National Park is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Outer Hebrides is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have five days, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here. It offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Loch Lomond National Park. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Outer Hebrides is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Most people visit for the hiking. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the national park of Loch Lomond National Park. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Loch Lomond National Park or Outer Hebrides?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Outer Hebrides is £123, while the average daily cost in Loch Lomond National Park is £61. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Outer Hebrides £62
    Loch Lomond National Park £31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Outer Hebrides £124
    Loch Lomond National Park £62
Compare Hotels in Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park

Looking for a hotel in Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Outer Hebrides


Hotels in Loch Lomond National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Outer Hebrides £51
    Loch Lomond National Park £20

Is it cheaper to fly into Outer Hebrides or Loch Lomond National Park?

Prices for flights to both Loch Lomond National Park and Outer Hebrides change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Outer Hebrides £31
    Loch Lomond National Park £15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Outer Hebrides £20
    Loch Lomond National Park £16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Outer Hebrides £6.36
    Loch Lomond National Park £3.93


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Outer Hebrides and Loch Lomond National Park, we can see that Outer Hebrides is more expensive. And not only is Loch Lomond National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Loch Lomond National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Loch Lomond National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Outer Hebrides would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Outer Hebrides than you might in Loch Lomond National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Outer Hebrides Expensive? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Expensive?.


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