outer hebrides trip (1 Viewer)

[suffolk man]

Hi All, we are looking at a two week trip to the southern outer Hebrides in September in our van (6m PVC). Ferry from Mallaig to south Uist then mooching down to Barra and then back up to south and North Uist and then the ferry back to Mallaig. Looking at a mixture of campsites and aires. All advice would be very welcome re ferries, overnight stops, service points etc etc especially whether we need to book overnight stays on campsites well in advance. Thanks in advance as usual

 

[ctc]

Is this to test how watertight your van is? Search 4 Sites is fairly good for pitches, you get reasonably accurate reviews.

 

[suffolk man]

Point taken! the ferry from south Uist to Barra would be better then testing the submarine properties of the van

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[Revolvor]

Based on my recent experience in planning a trip to Lewis and Harris this summer, I would suggest that you plan well ahead. When you book the ferry, this pops up:

On researching campsites, I discovered that my preferred site only had 1 vacancy left for our preferred dates.

 

[Jammi]

We’re doing similar this year, but Harris & Lewis.
Ferry timetables are out now so book asap.

We’re going from Uig on Skye to Tarbet.
Some campsites were already fully booked for May. Harris has West Harris Trust roadside stopover places. I don’t know if the southern islands have anything similar?

 

[68c]

Well worth a visit if you drive down the main road on the west of Lewis.

Bragar Whalebone Arch HS29DF
Shawbost Norse Mill HS29BJ
Dun Carloway Broch HS29AZ
Gearrannan Black Houses HS29AL
Callanish Standing Stones HS29DY

Good cafe at the Standing Stones, a very spiritual place with great views.

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[Otter Spotter]

The warning is that just a warning, and on our journeys to the Outer Hebrides, no one has ever asked us if we have a camp site booked but in September it is worth getting your first week booked.
In addition to the campsites and Aires the locals are very friendly and don’t mind where you park up as long as you don’t park up on the Machair as it’s very fragile and you ask permission. September will be harvest time so don’t block any field entrances.

You may realise this but get your main ferry across and back booked but you can book the inter island ferries at least a couple of days before travel.
Be aware that CalMac are having major issues with ferry boats breaking down etc so be prepared for delays.
Having said all that you will love it there.

A good guide here

Motorhome and Campervan Guide

We welcome responsible caravan, motorhome, and campervan visitors and we want you to have a fantastic holiday and keep coming back! We have some great resources in this section with maps,…

www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk

 

[CAB96]

We took our campervan in May / June 2022, Barra - S Uist - Benbecula - N Uist.

Bloody loved it.

Benbecula and S Uist have limited campsites, so I would recommend booking.

Also limited laundry facilities if you want them, nothing on Benbecula, so research and plan if necessary.

I would thoroughly recommend the Brandt tour guide book, very useful and also a fascinating read.

 

[suffolk man]

We are all booked!! Really looking forward to it and thanks to all for advice as usual

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[Louie25]

Wherever you end up make sure you visit Berneray Beach at the very Northern point of North Uist, it’s an absolutely amazing beach that you can walk for miles. My most favourite place

 

[EuroTrotters]

Beware, Ferry Prices have doubled !

 

[EuroTrotters]

Beware, Ferry Prices have doubled !

And People complain About Brittany Ferries Prices

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[PaulC70]

We did the Uists and Barra June 2021 and enjoyed it, not as good as Harris and Lewis but that's personal opinion.
We actually did it as our Shakedown run instead of a one nighter locally! In for a penny, in for a pound! Pictures, vids and even some reviews thrown in on our trip here.

Scotland Shakedown trip!

So a big thanks to everyone on this forum for answering questions etc and all the useful information too! We've finished our shakedown trip of 10 days to the Outer Hebrides and back and it's been a blast. Pretty much all wilding other than a night on Scurrival campsite on the Isle of Barra and a...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Otter Spotter]

And People complain About Brittany Ferries PricesView attachment 719333

You will have to get a shorter MH

 

[PaulC70]

You will have to get a shorter MH

Ain't that the truth!
I've just done a check for mine (<8m and 2 people) so about £360 all in for that same example as eurotrotters has shown above, but the OP has a 6.0m pvc and exact same trip would only be £171.30 Ridiculous that an extra 1.6m would cost me nearly £200 MORE than the front 6m of the same vehicle!

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[EuroTrotters]

You will have to get a shorter MH

I priced for under 7 but it came out 8!

Car is half that

 

[Otter Spotter]

Ain't that the truth!
I've just done a check for mine (<8m and 2 people) so about £360 all in for that same example as eurotrotters has shown above, but the OP has a 6.0m pvc and exact same trip would only be £171.30 Ridiculous that an extra 1.6m would cost me nearly £200 MORE than the front 6m of the same vehicle!

I priced for under 7 but it came out 8!

Car is half that

that’s why I chose a 6m van, after checking ferry costs as we do like to visit the Hebrides both Inner and Outer Orkney and the Shetland Isles, which all charge more the longer the van i. I don’t have a bike rack or rear box for the same reason.

 

[PaulC70]

I get that but a 6m doesn't suit us, this 7.6m is pretty much perfect for us. But since calmac started to punish those over 6m I'll simply spend my money elsewhere. My usual for a week / 10 days is about a grand and we used to go to the islands twice a year. That's money they won't see anymore. Believe me I'd like to, and I get that there should be a bit of difference if you take up more room, but it's not relative. Calmac have deliberately chosen 6m as that's the price for all the delivery vans on and off the island.

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[EuroTrotters]

I get that but a 6m doesn't suit us, this 7.6m is pretty much perfect for us. But since calmac started to punish those over 6m I'll simply spend my money elsewhere. My usual for a week / 10 days is about a grand and we used to go to the islands twice a year. That's money they won't see anymore. Believe me I'd like to, and I get that there should be a bit of difference if you take up more room, but it's not relative. Calmac have deliberately chosen 6m as that's the price for all the delivery vans on and off the island.

yes, but in my quote, I priced for a 7m. van

 

[Otter Spotter]

I get that but a 6m doesn't suit us, this 7.6m is pretty much perfect for us. But since calmac started to punish those over 6m I'll simply spend my money elsewhere. My usual for a week / 10 days is about a grand and we used to go to the islands twice a year. That's money they won't see anymore. Believe me I'd like to, and I get that there should be a bit of difference if you take up more room, but it's not relative. Calmac have deliberately chosen 6m as that's the price for all the delivery vans on and off the island.

Agreed CalMac don’t seem to consider the islanders and their businesses and not just on pricing but the debacle in respect of the ageing fleet and replacements not being ready for at least another 3 years. They seem to not want people to travel to the islands at all

 

[CAB96]

Wherever you end up make sure you visit Berneray Beach at the very Northern point of North Uist, it’s an absolutely amazing beach that you can walk for miles. My most favourite place View attachment 719329

Absolutely!

The West Beach, barely a soul and miles of it!

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[JohnnyRoyal]

Hello everyone
We are off on a 3 week Western Isle road trip on 28th April. We are going to Mull , Skye and Lewis/Harris, so looking forward to the trip. We have booked our ferries and lucky that “Maurice” is only 5.99 Mtrs long! We have booked a number of sites and then will wild camp the rest
Will look forward to hearing about every bodies experience and will hopefully post a few pics if we can get Wi-Fi!
John

 

[drpeej]

Try to get to Barra airport when a flight is coming in. https://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport

 

[Threeracers]

And People complain About Brittany Ferries Prices

I am booked on the earlier boat on that route for Saturday 29th, two adults and I specified 7.5m (booking confirms <8m) and it was £180.

Mark

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[EuroTrotters]

I am booked on the earlier boat on that route for Saturday 29th, two adults and I specified 7.5m (booking confirms <8m) and it was £180.

Mark

Islay gone from £120 return 7m van to £240

 

[Gingernuts]

Just come back from the Hebrides and… it was shut!
The season starts after March 31st so does the summer ferry timetable. Didn’t find a campsite open and there are no free wild camping places, I did find a couple of crofting sites with the best sea views and they wanted a tenner to camp with no facilities.
Any likely stopping place for a camper either has a “no campers” sign or a £10 per night for campers sign.
So if I visit again (unlikely) I would go after 31March

 

[suffolk man]

Has anybody been to the Outer Hebrides recently since the CalMac summer timetable came into force? Lot of coverage in the press re the total shambles going on at the moment. We are booked to go early September and wondering about cancelling and going elsewhere...........

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[PaulC70]

Not seen anything about it?

 

[Coolcats]

that’s why I chose a 6m van, after checking ferry costs as we do like to visit the Hebrides both Inner and Outer Orkney and the Shetland Isles, which all charge more the longer the van i. I don’t have a bike rack or rear box for the same reason.

With a 5.4M PVC you could place a box or bikes on the back and still be a 6M PVC

 

[Jammi]

What sort of issues? I know the ferries kept breaking down last year…

We’re heading to Harris via Uig in a few weeks, so would be interested to hear if there’s anything we should check up on!