We did Mull last year and loved it, so now looking further afield, but aren't sure if there's enough to do with the kids. Anyone else been camping g with family in the area? We'll be taking the car and a family tent, but I'll secretly be packing my backpacking tents too just in case
This time next week I'll be on my way to Ullapool for the Stornoway ferry and our first visit to Lewis and Harris.
We aren't camping, but have found some things to do if you get that far up the chain of islands.
If weather is good beaches, fishing, snorkelling, body boarding will fill the days.
If not Blackhouse Village at Gearranan, Carloway Mill if you have never seen a vertical mill operation i.e. the whole process from fleece to product in one factory. Callanish Standing stones.
I would advise you to book your ferry asap. We booked accommodation in February and had to wait to book ferries as the details weren't finalised on Calmac site. I then forgot to check the site and waited a little too long. When I went to book in early April the service I planned on booking was full so I had to rearrange the ferry crossing, cancel one booking on the mainland and book a hotel in Stornoway.
The subject line says Outer Hebrides.
I’ve got a friend who has a family home on Barra & goes there for a fortnight every year with her family.
If you enjoyed Mull, the Outer Hebrides are kinda similar: beaches, bogs, mountains (on some islands), wildflowers, free range sheep & highland cattle, bird life, single track roads, and not much happening on Sunday at the north end. Fuel will be eye wateringly expensive, like Mull.
The VisitScotland app is excellent. So to is an app called OuterHebrides which is very useful & lists crofts that take a few campers, over & above what’s listed in UKCS.
Watch the ferry times if you’re needing to be back home on a specific date - if you miss one because of weather or technical issues on the boat (that’s a problem with CalMac’s ageing fleet), it will throw out your schedule.
Hate to say it but avoid Skye in the tourist season - beautiful but it’s like the NC500 on steroids, mobbed.
An alternative is to try Islay, Jura & Tiree. I don’t think camping is allowed on Coll, Motorhomes aren’t.
Great answer, thank you Fiona. Will check out the apps. I've been on Pinterest and git the books from local library, but you can't beat first hand experience
PS go from south to north. The theory is that the wind is aye at your back that way. I did a draft program for the complete south to north years ago & 10 days was tight because of some ferry times. You might want to focus on Harris & Lewis (huge area with the glorious Luskentyre Beach).
Quote: Originally posted by Wet Never Again on 24/6/2022
Other question I have which, apart from Coll that you mentioned, do NOT allow cars via car ferry?
Coll allows vehicles, as do most islands, as the locals need to get to the mainland. The small islands of Rhum, Eigg and Muck are three which don't allow visitors cars unless a permit is arranged beforehand.
However taking vehicles to the smaller islands is an expensive luxury (£101 return to Coll!) especially when islands have very few roads and can be walked around in very little time. A bike makes more sense
It’s an interesting point: the Road Equivalent Tariff came in a few years ago. It was really cheap (less than £30) to take the MH (less than 6m) over to Bute & off the other side into Cowal recently. The road around the coast to the same point would have taken us very much longer & at £2/litre for diesel might well have cost more. And it’s much more fun taking the ferry.
Point taken about choosing a bike rather than a car for small islands - certainly true of Gigha.
Andrew Ditton (you tube channel) has a series of videos covering Outer Hebridies. They are more from a caravan/campervan perspective but definitely worth watching
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Suggestions for a 9 day trip to Outer Heb
via mobile 23/6/2022 at 11:15pm
