flyingfifi
Über Member
- Location
- Hamilton
Has anybody done the western isles 
,what,s the best way round ie south to north or to north to south 
,what,s the best way round ie south to north or to north to south 
Western Isles or Outer Hebrides
- Thread starter flyingfifi
- Start date
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iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
Prevailing wind south westerley so more likely to be a tail wind if you do south to north.
iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
Not just Stornoway - the whole of Lewis and Harris.It is getting a bit better now.
No Sunday Ferry either - so we couldnt escape
edit - actually as I recall it - Ullapool could hardly have be described as awake on the Monday
iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
That must have been a few years back? Sunday service started 2009
OP
OP
flyingfifi
Über Member
- Location
- Hamilton
Great thanks just looking into it for next year
Hill Wimp
Fair weathered,fair minded but easily persuaded.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
@dellzeqq was generous enough to share his experience: "The-journal-of-a-tour-to-the-hebrides". I commend it to you, indeed to any who have not yet enjoyed the story. Please note @flyingfifi (for planning purposes): May only.
iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
70 something
Sunday was quiet when I moved here in 1998, it is (a bit) better now.George Berwick (of Audax Ecosse fame) once told me that he stopped in Stockinish Youth Hostel many years ago and a local farmer backed a trailer up to the door so they couldn't get out the hostel to cycle on a Sunday.
Last edited:
OP
OP
flyingfifi
Über Member
- Location
- Hamilton
thanks taking some route on board but not all
oppps
PaulSB
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
It's a great place to ride and visit. My advice would be, for some odd reason mostly relating to Barra which is a great place:
1. If arriving on Barra at night be sure to eat on the boat. It's possible everything will be closed in Castlebay.
2. If you are using B&B be sure to book the night you arrive in Barra in advance as availability can be limited.
3. Use the western route round Barra, it's more interesting and avoids a steep climb
4. Visit in the little sandwich shop on Castlebay harbour for salmon sandwiches and/or tablet. It's to die for.
5. Don't over plan. Have an idea of where you want to go but don't bother with route planning. The place is small enough to idly wander through - just keep heading northish
6. If using bunk houses when I was there the Benbecula one was overrun with students staying longterm and partying all night. There were events which made me feel threatened, which is very unusual. This aside bunk houses are excellent accommodation but be sure to arrive early to get a bed.
Before I arrived I had no idea there was anywhere of such stunning and varied natural beauty in the British Isles. Breathtaking doesn't come close.
1. If arriving on Barra at night be sure to eat on the boat. It's possible everything will be closed in Castlebay.
2. If you are using B&B be sure to book the night you arrive in Barra in advance as availability can be limited.
3. Use the western route round Barra, it's more interesting and avoids a steep climb
4. Visit in the little sandwich shop on Castlebay harbour for salmon sandwiches and/or tablet. It's to die for.
5. Don't over plan. Have an idea of where you want to go but don't bother with route planning. The place is small enough to idly wander through - just keep heading northish
6. If using bunk houses when I was there the Benbecula one was overrun with students staying longterm and partying all night. There were events which made me feel threatened, which is very unusual. This aside bunk houses are excellent accommodation but be sure to arrive early to get a bed.
Before I arrived I had no idea there was anywhere of such stunning and varied natural beauty in the British Isles. Breathtaking doesn't come close.
L Q
Über Member
- Location
- Woodhall Spa
I wish I had thought about that when I planned our trip over there a couple of years ago.
Stornaway to Tarbet was brutal into a headwind all the way.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
UK's prevailing wind is not simply SW quadrant round the year.
Seasonal variation of the prevailing wind direction in Britain
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.301/pdf
"For the months of April and May the frequency of northeasterlies is about equal to that of southwesterlies. In fact, during some decades, the prevailing wind at many sites during these months is northeasterly."
So in April or May you're just as likely to have favourable wind going NE-SW to Barra. And (according to @dellzeqq ) midge free whatever the wind strength.
Seasonal variation of the prevailing wind direction in Britain
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.301/pdf
"For the months of April and May the frequency of northeasterlies is about equal to that of southwesterlies. In fact, during some decades, the prevailing wind at many sites during these months is northeasterly."
So in April or May you're just as likely to have favourable wind going NE-SW to Barra. And (according to @dellzeqq ) midge free whatever the wind strength.
