Isle of Lewis

[Augusta08]

Thinking ahead a bit, post vax and as the UK hopefully eases up from lockdown. I was thinking of going north to the Isle of Lewis. All the current ferry and camping websites unhelpfully state "Not available ATM", but I'm trying to plan for May or June subject to availability. So do any funsters have any recommendations?

 

[Boris7]

In my opinion I’d not look at Lewis as early as May, I suspect covid will be around later than that and I suspect the locals may not be favourable to your visit, then if you get there and things change you might be stuck out on a limb.

That said it’s a lovely place and I’d go there as soon as practicable and you’ll love it

 

[irnbru]

Lots of wilding places to choose from. Well worth island hopping and doing them all down to Barra.

 

[Crazylegs]

Book a hopscotch ticket on Calmac ferries, no need to plan, we didn’t, just go when lockdown is over. However as previously stated, how welcome you would be is another matter entirely.

 

[dunnah01]

I doubt you'll be allowed over the border until late summer at the earliest tbh. Once everywhere is at the old tier 2 levels things will get better but that's a long way away yet.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Augusta08]

Maybe I should have added " Provided it is legal and approved". To prevent the all knowing grand proclaimed from informing all that "you shouldn't go until you're allowed" .

But hey ho, they need to vent....

 

[glenn2926]

We’re booked on a site in Northumberland early June. Hoping to head up to Scotland after that. We’re hoping to go over to Harris.
I do think this could be happening but the anti lockdown removal brigade will. Probably have a melt down if it is allowed.

 

[dunnah01]

There's a lockdown for a reason

 

[Googlebot]

There's a lockdown for a reason

No need to be angry, the OP knows that. They clearly say when allowed and approved.

We would love to go back to Scotland as soon as we can and the Isles are on our list for sure.

 

[dunnah01]

No need to be angry, the OP knows that. They clearly say when allowed and approved.

We would love to go back to Scotland as soon as we can and the Isles are on our list for sure.

Still be nice to think in terms of safe for residents of Lewis rather than 'legal and approved'..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[glenn2926]

There's a lockdown for a reason

There is, and if it’s gone we’ll tour. That’s being positive. We could always like your self be negative and hope the lockdown is still in place. Hopefully there are more of us positive people that want to get the vaccine done and get rid of lockdown than there are you negative types.

 

[glenn2926]

Still be nice to think in terms of safe for residents of Lewis rather than 'legal and approved'..

So when would you recommend going. Next year? Ten years time? One hundred years time?
Oh you won’t answer I guess. You do realise that when lockdown is lifted that it won’t be compulsory to travel? You can stay locked down for the rest of your life if you want to.
The rest of us ( the more positive) will be guided by the professionals that make decisions based on scientific evidence.

 

[Boris7]

There is, and if it’s gone we’ll tour. That’s being positive. We could always like your self be negative and hope the lockdown is still in place. Hopefully there are more of us positive people that want to get the vaccine done and get rid of lockdown than there are you negative types.

I so hope your right and we can all get out by the summer, I can’t wait to get back to the Highlands and or Europe and better still Ireland.

But we’ll just need to wait and see

 

[Boris7]

The simple fact is there’s no point in arguing about covid//restrictions things well or will not improve over time, we’ll just have to wait and see

 

[Tombola]

Still be nice to think in terms of safe for residents of Lewis rather than 'legal and approved'..

I have relatives on Lewis, and trust me some are missing tourism .
Its a fine balance but once legal and allowed where is the problem? we get fun & relaxation they get $$$ the economy grows.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

I so hope your right and we can all get out by the summer, I can’t wait to get back to the Highlands and or Europe and better still Ireland.

But we’ll just need to wait and see

I feel the same. I just get this feeling they will keep us in lock down as much as economically possible (rightly) until after both bank holidays, so idiots dont all flock and mingle too close like last time.
Hol camps gradually allowed after may day ?? to keep us all away (safe)

 

[Otter Spotter]

Thinking ahead a bit, post vax and as the UK hopefully eases up from lockdown. I was thinking of going north to the Isle of Lewis. All the current ferry and camping websites unhelpfully state "Not available ATM", but I'm trying to plan for May or June subject to availability. So do any funsters have any recommendations?

Firstly, most sites in the outer Hebrides were on a ‘first come first served basis’ but this isn’t an issue normally as the locals didn’t mind you wild camping as long as you didn’t block gateways and did not park up on the Macha. Currently They are tier 3 according to a local ‘Andrew ditton’. Check out his ‘ How to Hebrides’ on utube at present.
if you look at the Hebrides tourist website there is a usual map for sites and dump stations.
personally I think it will be July / August before we will be permitted past Gretna Green, but good luck, I am aiming now for Shetland mid August and will stay up there for a couple of months.

You will love Harris and Lewis, but try to go south if you have time, you will be amazed at how the scenery changes as you cross the various islands.

 

[Rosemary1]

It’s very difficult isn’t it to plan.

I have a trip in the UK booked in May in the motor home and a cruise abroad in July. The cruise is booked with a tiny deposit and the option to move if needed but I dared book the flights, extra hotel or excursions until much closer (and hope I can get what I want) as not convinced things will be back to normal by then. BUT if we don’t plan and but down deposits a lot of these firms, shops, tourist places will not survive.

 

[Tombola]

It’s very difficult isn’t it to plan.

I have a trip in the UK booked in May in the motor home and a cruise abroad in July. The cruise is booked with a tiny deposit and the option to move if needed but I dared book the flights, extra hotel or excursions until much closer (and hope I can get what I want) as not convinced things will be back to normal by then. BUT if we don’t plan and but down deposits a lot of these firms, shops, tourist places will not survive.

By all accounts many people are booking quite a way ahead and slots are becoming sparce. Id think about it if I was you so you dont miss out.
Maybe use a reputable credit car that will refund sooner if covid is the issue for cancellation.

Ive had refunds twice now both in 3 or 4 days from my cc card, one was Virgin atlantic who said expect almost 12 weeks one was Emirates who said 8 weeks.

 

[dunnah01]

So when would you recommend going. Next year? Ten years time? One hundred years time?
Oh you won’t answer I guess. You do realise that when lockdown is lifted that it won’t be compulsory to travel? You can stay locked down for the rest of your life if you want to.
The rest of us ( the more positive) will be guided by the professionals that make decisions based on scientific evidence.

Post #5 has my thoughts on when it will be considered safe to travel.
Simply based on the very rough scientific guidance of other countries wanting 70% of the population vaccinated prior to any significant removal of restrictions. At the current rate this will be around September in the UK.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[glenn2926]

Post #5 has my thoughts on when it will be considered safe to travel.
Simply based on the very rough scientific guidance of other countries wanting 70% of the population vaccinated prior to any significant removal of restrictions. At the current rate this will be around September in the UK.

That’s your hope. My hope is for sooner. Like I said some are more positive than others.

 

[irnbru]

The Ops post isn't asking about whether they can/should go when restrictions are lifted, merely asking about suggestions regarding planning recommendations.

 

[tjay]

Booked ferry to Orkney and site in Kirkwall for July, was meant the be going to France but cant see that happening so fingers crossed for up north !!