Well, that's definitely "remote". Can you be more specific about these islands? why should we go there and not the mainland?
How's the weather there? What about accommodations - will we find any? (we don't plan to carry camping gear)
Is the landscape variable enough to be interesting along a 7 days ride? On the mainland the variety is big, and that's important when cycling.
Yep, it's remote and for me initially took me out of my comfort zone but I soon settled. I made the trip I'll describe below two summers ago. I'm now 60 and while I do go for what I call "cycle tours" most would probably think of it as credit card touring. I mainly use hostels, bunk houses and B&B and if I'm really stuck I'll drop into a small hotel. I live in Lancashire and so I'll just describe the part of my trip from home that is relevant to you. For the ferries you can get an island hopper ticket for about £35, you are considered to be a foot passenger so you simply turn up, no need for a reservation.
I am recommending this trip to you because before I went I had no idea anywhere so beautiful existed in Britain. I'm not a worldwide traveller by any means but I would put the Outer Hebrides right up there with the most special places I've visited. I found it a very emotional, and still do to think of, and enjoyable experience. The roads are excellent, the scenery and riding is enormously varied from easy in the south to some tough climbs on Harris and Lewis.
I took the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, Arran, cycled round the island to Lochranza and took the ferry to Claonaig. From there I rode to Tarbert and then turned south on the B8024 following this road until it joins the A83 south of Ardrishaig. Up to Lochgilphead on the A816 and turned off on the B840 to Loch Awe. (I needed to go to Taynuil to see friends - you could follow the A816 to Oban). I rode up the west side of Loch Awe which I found very hard and another time I would take the east road. At Kilcrenhan I turned towards Taynuilt.
On to Oban and take the ferry to Barra, visit Vartersay and Barra (rode round twice, it's very small) to see white beaches and torquoise seas. If going north on Barra use the west road to avoid a vicious climb. Great place to walk as well! If you go it's essential to book B&B before arriving on Barra as everyone getting off the ferry at around 10.30pm will be doing the same thing. Eat on the boat, the pub could be closed or not doing food. If it's a beautiful evening as you approach Barra the sun will be setting behind the island. From Barra ferry and ride to Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist. On to Berneray and then ferry to Harris to ride up Harris and Lewis to Stornoway to get the ferry back to the mainland at Ullapool. I would take the west road round Harris - I won't say why but it took my breath away. You then have a 70 mile ride to Inverness to get a train! There is a station before this after about 50 miles but I don't know where it goes!
I had no problem finding accomodation using B&B, bunk houses and hostels. My only problem on the whole trip was at the bunk house on Berneray. This appears to be a mecca for young people looking to party all night. There was one older, aggressive person who seemed to be a semi-warden (the only one I met in the various bunk houses) and saw himself as something special with his tales of world travel etc. - always bettering the person he spoke to. The night I was there this person lead the singing and partying in the communal area next to my room. I had to get up at 4.00am for a ferry, at 2.30am I went to ask them to stop. I was verbally abused by this guy, felt physically threatened and felt it necessary to sit guarding my bike till 4.00am before heading off to the ferry!! I only stayed because I was waiting for an Australian I had teamed up with to wake up!! Earplugs apparently.
I know this experience can happen anywhere but I would not recommend the Berneray bunk house as it did seem to attract party animals rather than walkers and cyclists that I encountered everywhere else.
For me the Outer Hebrides will always be a magical and special place. I raved so much about it my French friends from Nice insisted I take them the following year. They found the islandswonderful.