Advice about touring the Outer Hebrides, please.

[Revolvor]

We had planned a trip to the Outer Hebrides in 2020. I had booked ferries and campsites, but then Covid happened. Luckily I was refunded for all of my bookings.

We now want to try again this year, and I'm just wondering how much things have changed since 2020. We aim to spend a couple of weeks there in June.

I know that CalMac now don't allow MHs to just turn up for a ferry, but that's not a problem to me. We plan to go via Uig - Tarbert and return via Stornaway - Ullapool.

My main question relates to booking campsites. I now see that there are a lot more available than when I looked 3 years ago. I will probably try and book a couple of sites in areas where we want to spend a few days, but will I also be likely to find "last-minute" places to overnight - either on formal stops, or else "wilding"?

Are there any sites/places that anyone particularly recommends?

Also is the road to Port of Ness suitable for our 6m MH? (I see there are a couple of places to stop on this road)

What are peoples' recent experiences?

Thanks, John

 

[Jane And Rog]

We toured Lewis/Harris, Uist, Uig and Hoy in May 2019. we left through Ullapool after the NC500 and returned to the mainland through Skye. We loved it. I can’t reccoment the hebredies enough. We especially feel in love with Uist for some reason (I suspect scallops and Downpour Gin)

Our PVC is 6.5m and we didn’t have any trouble with roads - they’re generally single track but everyone is really polite about passing. Diesel occasionally seemed hard to come by. Not sure about LPG.

We did a mix of wild and site camping and I can’t remember any problems finding anywhere to stop. We plan to go back and see Isla and some other islands maybe even this year.

 

[Teedubyaa]

We plan to do the same next year when our new van eventually arrives ……

Check out Andrew Ditton‘s YouTube Channel - he’s done some good videos including How To Hebrides

 

[PaulC70]

Im on Skye right now (overnighting opposite the Talisker distillary on the pier) and love the Hebrides, Inner and Outer. Plan to get back on Harris and Lewis this year or next in the Motorhome, have only been there in the car before. But yeah, everywhere is accessable, I prefer off grid so can't speak to sites Im afraid. I do know I'd avoid late May all the way through to mid September though.

 

[Kelsae2]

DO NOT go through Stromness to get to the Port of Ness campsite or the ferry terminal. There is a road that goes up the top of the town and takes you there without any problems.
Book your main sites in the areas that you want to stay longer, but you should not have any great problems either turning up on spec or finding places to park up.
Husinnis car park would likely be a problem to turn up on spec as it is a tight place, although they do have a 5 van area back up the hill.
Luskentyre has parking areas in certain laybys if you don't leave it too late.
Uig Bay ( Ardroil Sands ) also gets busy, but it has toilets/showers as well as cassette empty point, fresh water fill up for a very reasonable fee.
Lots of other areas with plenty space.
I have a folder with all the information for the whole Hebrides that i can look out and check if you need any further info.
Enjoy the whole experience.

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[Revolvor]

I do know I'd avoid late May all the way through to mid September though.

Is that because of crowds or midges?

 

[Revolvor]

I have a folder with all the information for the whole Hebrides that i can look out and check if you need any further info.
Enjoy the whole experience.

Thanks for all that information, and your offer to provide more information if needed. If I think of anything important, I may contact you.

 

[PaulC70]

Is that because of crowds or midges?

Bit of both to be honest

 

[ceejayt]

Any real "no gos" at 9m either ferry or road problem?

Thanks

 

[Rapido925M]

We had one of our best holidays on the Outer Hebrides, in our 6m MH. Most of the roads were no problem although The Golden Road, down the east coast of Harris, provided a few challenges with narrow sections and tight bends. The B887 to Hushinish was also "interesting" (especially the long bend just before the hotel) and seemed worse going than coming back.

We really liked the large area near the Bridge to Nowhere (North Tolsta) and spend several nights there. There was a cheap fuel station en route from Stornoway and they provided drinking water in our container, as did the shop in N Tolsta, along with lots of other ventures.

Port of Ness was a good overnight stop although the road down to it was steep and narrow but not very far (100-200m) with good vision. Butt of Lewis is a good alternative BUT very exposed.

Lots of folk rave about Luskentyre but we were disappointed, especially as we couldn't get on to any of the parking spots and there was a pipe being laid across the road which caused traffic problems.

OTOH we had a good night on a small carpark just above Rhenigidale, where we were treated to a flying display by a pair of golden eagles (no guarantee they will still be there ). IF you are a keen walker, this is a good starting point for the Postman's Steps.

There is a fairly basic campsite at Kneep (£15pn when we were there) with direct access to a lovely beach. However, one mile further west at Cliff is a community area overlooking a bay (£5 honesty donation).

We spent a couple of good free nights at Leverburgh ferry terminal, adjacent to the Butty Bus and a fish 'n chip shop. Quite a bit of aquatic activity. The shop at the other end of the village has an interesting display of woolcraft upstairs.

Our final night was spent foc on the quayside at Stornoway, with views of the illuminated memorial to the HMY Iolaire. Don't forget to visit the Chessmen!

Prices at the Co-ops were very reasonable, especially on Sat afternoon when they get rid of all the perishables (no shopping on Sunday). Parking was much easier at Co-op Stornoway than at Tesco.

The black waste disposal near the airport was useful. There are quite a few such facilities and are marked on a handy map available from Calmac and other places.

Enjoy - Gordon

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[Revolvor]

We had one of our best holidays on the Outer Hebrides, in our 6m MH. Most of the roads were no problem although The Golden Road, down the east coast of Harris, provided a few challenges with narrow sections and tight bends. The B887 to Hushinish was also "interesting" (especially the long bend just before the hotel) and seemed worse going than coming back.

We really liked the large area near the Bridge to Nowhere (North Tolsta) and spend several nights there. There was a cheap fuel station en route from Stornoway and they provided drinking water in our container, as did the shop in N Tolsta, along with lots of other ventures.

Port of Ness was a good overnight stop although the road down to it was steep and narrow but not very far (100-200m) with good vision. Butt of Lewis is a good alternative BUT very exposed.

Lots of folk rave about Luskentyre but we were disappointed, especially as we couldn't get on to any of the parking spots and there was a pipe being laid across the road which caused traffic problems.

OTOH we had a good night on a small carpark just above Rhenigidale, where we were treated to a flying display by a pair of golden eagles (no guarantee they will still be there ). IF you are a keen walker, this is a good starting point for the Postman's Steps.

There is a fairly basic campsite at Kneep (£15pn when we were there) with direct access to a lovely beach. However, one mile further west at Cliff is a community area overlooking a bay (£5 honesty donation).

We spent a couple of good free nights at Leverburgh ferry terminal, adjacent to the Butty Bus and a fish 'n chip shop. Quite a bit of aquatic activity. The shop at the other end of the village has an interesting display of woolcraft upstairs.

Our final night was spent foc on the quayside at Stornoway, with views of the illuminated memorial to the HMY Iolaire. Don't forget to visit the Chessmen!

Prices at the Co-ops were very reasonable, especially on Sat afternoon when they get rid of all the perishables (no shopping on Sunday). Parking was much easier at Co-op Stornoway than at Tesco.

The black waste disposal near the airport was useful. There are quite a few such facilities and are marked on a handy map available from Calmac and other places.

Enjoy - Gordon

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive reply. Lots of good information. It will be very useful to help us with planning.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Is that because of crowds or midges?

Both

 

[Rapido925M]

IF you are a whisky drinker, you may be disappointed, as I was, that the distillery in Tarbert has a crowded carpark and they only sold gin, as the proper stuff hadn't matured long enough.

However, Abhainn Dearg, just west of Ardroil, has a large flat carpark and there is a "public" parking area just across the road towards Carnish. I spoke with an American quartet there who were in their third week of a four week distillery tour and they reckoned it was the best so far: OTOH they might have been hoping for a free drink! It was moderately expensive (£60 for their cheapest bottle).

Gordon

 

[Otter Spotter]

If you can get to North Uist, Grimsay call in at at the Cafe at Kallin harbour for the best Lobster and chips fresh caught

If you are into bird watching, we found a pair of Golden Eagles nesting on the ground behind a museum Sheiling just south of the Eileen Fraoch camp site on Lewis, apparently they are there all year round according to the locals.

 

[Revolvor]

If you can get to North Uist, Grimsay call in at at the Cafe at Kallin harbour for the best Lobster and chips fresh caught

If you are into bird watching, we found a pair of Golden Eagles nesting on the ground behind a museum Sheiling just south of the Eileen Fraoch camp site on Lewis, apparently they are there all year round according to the locals.

Just sticking to Harris and Lewis this time. We plan to stay at Eileen Fraoch for a bit, so will keep our eyes open for Golden Eagles.

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[Revolvor]

IF you are a whisky drinker .........

Actually, I prefer Gin!
(Though I do have some good whiskeys for visitors.)

 

[poppycamper]

Actually, I prefer Gin!
(Though I do have some good whiskeys for visitors.)

I am on my way... see soon.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Just sticking to Harris and Lewis this time. We plan to stay at Eileen Fraoch for a bit, so will keep our eyes open for Golden Eagles.

Park up at the Sheiling on the A858 postcode HS29DJ and the Eagles are behind approx 1/2 mile, you may hear them calling but with a pair of binos you should see them, they flew over us whiost parked on car park, it went dark

 

[Puddleduck]

Our daughter was at Uni in Stornoway so we have been a few times but some years ago.

Galson campsite was little expensive but worth the money back then - but there was also a lot of wild and permitted camping sites.