stumpy66
Veteran
- Location
- Lanarkshire
Vatersay is definitely worth seeing when on Barra, as is going to Luskentyre beach while on Harris. If time to go to Lewis head up to see the stone circle at Callanish
Hebrides tour
- Thread starter Ice2911
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
https://www.cyclechat.net/media/snow-on-skye.10787/
Snow on Skye
Not really useful to topic, but memory of my own Outer Hebrides tour.
Snow on Skye
Not really useful to topic, but memory of my own Outer Hebrides tour.
- Location
- Glasgow
@Cranky Knee Girl might have some tips.
Read about her tour here, excellent info to be had, and a great read.
Read about her tour here, excellent info to be had, and a great read.
There are a series of good hostels on the Outers, starting from Castlebay on Barra up to Harris. Maybe further north too but I'm not sure. And there are more cafes and food shops now than in earlier days.
The route from Uig to Armadale to link up with the Mallaig ferry is not pleasant; modern roads and too much traffic.
But from Mallaig to Oban via Strontian, Lochaline, and Mull, is a classic cycle.
The route from Uig to Armadale to link up with the Mallaig ferry is not pleasant; modern roads and too much traffic.
But from Mallaig to Oban via Strontian, Lochaline, and Mull, is a classic cycle.
I don't want discourage you at all but I would advise once you have an idea of your route, re examine it with a plan B in mind for times the ferries may not run, also take a tent. Sailings are not only affected by the weather but more recently by breakdowns. The frequency of sailings, the limited downtime for maintenance and lack of spare vessels have recently resulted in severe disruption to passengers on more than one route. The week before last the Ullapool/Stornoway ferry developed a fault out in the Minch. It had to be nursed into Stornoway by two lifeboats. In fairness to Calmac they did work to get it sorted and it did eventually sail but instead of arriving at Ullapool at 4.30pm it eventually got there at 01.10. Not particularly nice when you hadn't planned to stay in Ullapool and all accommodation appeared to be booked up not only in Ullapool but for miles around.
Last edited:
Ticktockmy
Guru
- Location
- Crawley, West Sussex
A few years ago I cycled from Castlebay to Stornaway, in June the weather was terrible even the midges hid away for the whole trip. The ferry from Oban was battered by strong winds, I camped by the Airport on Barra, luckily my tent is designed for mountain use as it took a battering. Next day the weather had improved and the ferry to Eriskay was calm and sunny, until I got to North Uist where the wind picked up on the A867 heading for South Mor the wind was pushing me along at 30Km’s.
By the time I got to the Youth Hostel at Berneray it was like a winter’s day with sleet and hail, thunder and Lighting. Luckily I got the last bed at the hostel as it was packed with people whose tents had been wrecked by the high winds.
Next morning the storm had abated just light rain, took the ferry to Leverburg then rode up the east coast to Tarbert camping overnight at the campsite at ceann-na-cliethe. From Tarbert I used the A859 to Stornaway which was the best of days nice and sunny and no wind and used the campsite there. Next day I planned to ride to the Butt of Lewis had a nice strong tail wind going took just over 2 hours however it took over 5 hours to do the return trip because of the wind. From Stornaway I took the ferry too Ulla pool and then cycled to Inverness for the night sleeper back down south. I would say judging from what appears to be the prevalling wind I would do as I did and travel south to North.
By the time I got to the Youth Hostel at Berneray it was like a winter’s day with sleet and hail, thunder and Lighting. Luckily I got the last bed at the hostel as it was packed with people whose tents had been wrecked by the high winds.
Next morning the storm had abated just light rain, took the ferry to Leverburg then rode up the east coast to Tarbert camping overnight at the campsite at ceann-na-cliethe. From Tarbert I used the A859 to Stornaway which was the best of days nice and sunny and no wind and used the campsite there. Next day I planned to ride to the Butt of Lewis had a nice strong tail wind going took just over 2 hours however it took over 5 hours to do the return trip because of the wind. From Stornaway I took the ferry too Ulla pool and then cycled to Inverness for the night sleeper back down south. I would say judging from what appears to be the prevalling wind I would do as I did and travel south to North.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I always found the locals on Sky a clannish lot, even by the standards of Scottish islanders. The Outer Hebrideans are more chilled than the inner lot. Orcadian's can be a bit funny to outsiders, even those who might have lived there for decades. Shetlanders couldn't care less so long as they have something to drink and a toke, and are so friendly they'll be happy to sell you drugs in some of the relatively urbanised areas.
OP
OP
Ice2911
Über Member
Brrrrrrrr!
OP
OP
Ice2911
Über Member
A really interesting read, many thanks for the link.
OP
OP
Ice2911
Über Member
Thanks for this. My mate and I are in the process of planning the plan B. If the weather looks awful might pop over the channel instead!
OP
OP
Ice2911
Über Member
Thanks for this, sounds like a trip you will always remember
OP
OP
Ice2911
Über Member
I’m definitely happy to have a drink, will pass on the Toke though if that’s ok ( in my naivety I had to look this up)
- Location
- London
Er somewhat negative?
- Location
- London
yes I have camped all over the inner and outer hebrides. I was in a car at the time but the tent was a modest dome Vango. Have also sat out storms in a tent.
That's a significantly different tour altogether. If you haven't been to the Outer Hebrides before I suggest you go for it. The islands are so unique and stunningly beautiful. I've never had a tent blow away yet.
