a group of over 500 islands off the W coast of Scotland: separated by the North Minch, Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides: the chief islands are Skye, Raasay, Rum, Eigg, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Jura, Colonsay, and Islay (Inner Hebrides), and Lewis with Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Barra (Outer Hebrides)