Starting trip to Outer Hebrides 2023 (1 Viewer)

[Otter Spotter]

First night on road to Harris and Lewis for a photography workshop, staying at West Mossside CCC CS right on the Solway firth near Annan. No photos as it’s raining and wind is picking up
Tomorrow 3 hour journey to Tyndrum. We are breaking the run from Todmorden to Uig Ferry terminal on Skye over 4 nights to enjoy the trip instead of rushing up and possibly getting caught in the storm on ferry.

 

[PaulC70]

You know the Uig ferry wont be open until day after tomorrow I hope?

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

We have closed the west coast......
All the otters have buggered off to the east coast....

 

[CWH]

These days I always take at least 3 days to go down to Yorkshire (or is Tod in Lancs again yet?) from Skye, often more. That's the beauty of this stage in life - you can always stop and breathe.

I came down through Tyndrum yesterday, an easy drive, very light traffic, just a couple of short stretches of roadworks. The trees around Bun Loyne and Cluanie are looking gorgeous and worthy of a photo-stop; the drop down through Glencoe is magnificent in the low cloud - no matter how often I drive it, I still find that stretch of the journey to be nothing but 'Kodak moments'. Be aware that the goats - with lots of youngsters - are down on the road at Shiel Bridge and are roaming further east than usual. I'm currently parked up in the rain at Strathyre with a late-ish start planned after a good walk and breakfast at the Broch Cafe.

Give yourselves plenty of time through Skye though - the potholes on the Highland Council maintained roads are horrendous, and on some of the BEAR maintained roads, though some short stretches of the road from Portree northwards and from Sligachan to Dunvegan have been resurfaced. There's been some patching but even that's fairly teeth-rattling and is very haphazard, seems to be only the individual holes where people have put in claims for shredded tyres/ shattered windscreens/ broken suspension etc. There are still areas where you have to drive down the middle, or go the wrong side of the road, or wait for oncoming traffic - and I'm not talking about the single-track roads. Worst is when it's been raining and the holes are full of water so you can't tell what's a pothole and what's just surface water. It's manageable, just take your time.

You should have a great trip - there have been lots of sightings of various whales and pods of dolphins in recent days so you could have sightings in the Minch from the ferry; and the scenery will be magnificent. I'm looking forward to seeing the outcomes of your work!

 

[Nigel L]

Look forward to following this thread, as we are setting off to the outer Hebrides on 26th April for a couple of weeks. Never been before, so any info is much appreciated

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[Otter Spotter]

You know the Uig ferry wont be open until day after tomorrow I hope?

Yes, not getting the ferry until Saturday 25th. I gave them some time when we ‘planned’ this trip, they said target opening date was 13th March

 

[Otter Spotter]

We have closed the west coast......
All the otters have buggered off to the east coast....

Hi Hazel, not really going for Otters this time, it’s a Landscape workshop with a professional Photographer named Gary Gough. After Harris & Lewis the plan is to saunter up to Durness to Cocoa Mountain if they reopen if not then Sango Sands camp site and then possible to the Flow country, if it’s not too wet

 

[Russell's Dad]

Jealous. Out of all the places I've visited, Harris remains my favourite. Just stunning. Are you going to try for the Golden Eagles near the hide at North Harris on the road to Huisinis?

Edit: just noticed it's a landscape workshop. I really like Gary and his work. Enjoy.

 

[Otter Spotter]

This morning, after a breezy night with showers, getting light over the Solway Firth. The single tree gives you an idea of the prevailing weather View out of window

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

Hi Hazel, not really going for Otters this time, it’s a Landscape workshop with a professional Photographer named Gary Gough. After Harris & Lewis the plan is to saunter up to Durness to Cocoa Mountain if they reopen if not then Sango Sands camp site and then possible to the Flow country, if it’s not too wet

Hope you both have a great time, make the most of it, you'll be banned from Harris after this visit.....

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[namwaldog]

If we are not in a rush when travelling along M74, we often detour via B7076 /A702 between Moffat and Abington junctions.
They are good roads that shadow the motorway and give plenty of opportunities for stops (and or photos) of the beautiful landscape up there.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Hope you both have a great time, make the most of it, you'll be banned from Harris after this visit.....

We are going under cover no one will know we are there, unless they read this ! Hope you two are fine

 

[Threeracers]

I am also looking forward to following this thread as we set off in just over three weeks. I have already booked the ferry crossings with the exception of the Glenelg Ferry onto Skye but I plan to just turn up on the day for that one and use the bridge if is too busy.

Safe travels

Mark

 

[WillH]

Been up to Fort william a couple of times in the last few weeks, traffic is still light up there but there are quite a few vans on the road already. Mountains mostly snow free last weekend. Enjoy your trip.

 

[CWH]

I have already booked the ferry crossings with the exception of the Glenelg Ferry onto Skye but I plan to just turn up on the day for that one and use the bridge if is too busy.

Safe travels

Mark

Mark, you don't book the Glenelg ferry, it just runs every 20 minutes or so, you might have to wait a couple of crossings but there's a nice cafe at the Glenelg side, and in any case it's worth it for the drive either side - not for the faint-hearted or the American RV though!
(Mallaig-Armadale ferry should be booked.)
P.S. the feral goats have been roaming the Glenelg road as well!

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[Otter Spotter]

Onwards and upwards to Tyndrum via A85. Photo is of Loch Lubhair
Weather Grey overcast with showers but 12degrees so not cold.
stopping on Tyndrum holiday park £27 with EHU, full heated facilities, very nice and clean though they appear to be planting log cabins and taking touring spaces
Tomorrow Broadford camping on Skye for 2 nights before Uig Ferry.
I am hoping to get to Skye Skyns to order a real sheepskin fitted seat cover for drivers seat. I looked at them before the plague and they were fantastic but I didn’t buy as I wasn’t sure I was going to keep the original seat.
Looking at this shot, now you can see why I am going on a ‘Landscape’ workshop

 

[Grianan]

That should be a great course. I did a day’s landscape course up around Torridon one New Year and got great weather and some good shots.

 

[Threeracers]

Mark, you don't book the Glenelg ferry, it just runs every 20 minutes or so, you might have to wait a couple of crossings but there's a nice cafe at the Glenelg side, and in any case it's worth it for the drive either side - not for the faint-hearted or the American RV though!
(Mallaig-Armadale ferry should be booked.)
P.S. the feral goats have been roaming the Glenelg road as well!

So I might not be too popular down the narrow lanes in the Bedford then?

M

 

[CWH]

So I might not be too popular down the narrow lanes in the Bedford then?

M

A single track road can only take 1 vehicle, no matter how big (or small) it is! Not sure if you're being serious but if any concerns you could check Google Street View. There are some challenges on these roads, not all related to width.

 

[Otter Spotter]

A single track road can only take 1 vehicle, no matter how big (or small) it is! Not sure if you're being serious but if any concerns you could check Google Street View. There are some challenges on these roads, not all related to width.

Do you mean nuts in hire vehicles who don’t understand what passing places are for ?

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[Otter Spotter]

Decisions, decision, should we wait to cross over Rannock Moor with a 45MPH South Westerly wind? which I think would be a broadside wind. I wanted to stop and take some photos but SHMBO is flapping

 

[paddymcc]

Decisions, decision, should we wait to cross over Rannock Moor with a 45MPH South Westerly wind? which I think would be a broadside wind. I wanted to stop and take some photos but SHMBO is flapping

If flapping you need to tighten the sheet a bit and you'll be sailing on a broad reach
Have a great trip

 

[Threeracers]

Do you mean nuts in hire vehicles who don’t understand what passing places are for ?

I am normally a courteous driver who would give way and for some reason the Bedford seems to encourage similar. But I have met a couple of idiots who have pushed their luck a bit and I now have a dash cam to record the highlights.

Thank you I did look on Google maps CWH and I should be ok.

Safe travels

Mark

 

[Otter Spotter]

I am normally a courteous driver who would give way and for some reason the Bedford seems to encourage similar. But I have met a couple of idiots who have pushed their luck a bit and I now have a dash cam to record the highlights.

Thank you I did look on Google maps CWH and I should be ok.

Safe travels

Mark

I think if I saw you coming in the opposite direction I would go off-road just be safe

 

[Jammi]

I look forward to hearing about your trip too.
We are heading to the Hebrides in early May, so looking forward to it as it’s been on my bucket list for years.

Any tips or advice you may have will be gratefully received!
Have fun.

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

If flapping you need to tighten the sheet a bit and you'll be sailing on a broad reach
Have a great trip

I don't think Dee would appreciate having her flaps tightened......

 

[Otter Spotter]

Well that was an experience, Glencoe, 50MPH winds rain, hailstone, thunder and lightning !!!
Couldn’t stop as worried we would loose the doors so first stop the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Arrived at Broadford Skye Camping a community owned Campsite for all sizes of Motorhomes, caravans and tents.£30 per night for van and 2 adults. Toilets and showers spotless and warm The site is probably 3rd full. A cool 6degrees on Skye. Photos tomorrow for those who are interested.

 

[DavidG58]

Do you mean nuts in hire vehicles who don’t understand what passing places are for ?

I quickly learnt that U.K. plates don’t guarantee U.K. driver, driving north of Ullapool a few years discussing why they had arrows on the road showing which side of read to use, next thing had a small car with think Chinese passengers coming straight at me presumed tourists in hire car. No harm done and I hope they learnt a bigger lesson than I did

More feedback on Broadford camp site appreciated it’s on our list for next trip

 

[Otter Spotter]

I quickly learnt that U.K. plates don’t guarantee U.K. driver, driving north of Ullapool a few years discussing why they had arrows on the road showing which side of read to use, next thing had a small car with think Chinese passengers coming straight at me presumed tourists in hire car. No harm done and I hope they learnt a bigger lesson than I did

More feedback on Broadford camp site appreciated it’s on our list for next trip

Staff really nice, pitches are stones clippings, 16amp EHU and well space out from each other. It has a good Motorhome service point with Chem disposal and fresh dinking water. The site is 5 mins walk North from the Co-Op garage and shop along with the other shops in Broadford. Built and run by the community since 2018 the same people who built the Elgol toilets and service point with Go fund me help from Motorhomers. It’s a good location for Bars, Deli, Fish & Chips and local services Including Post Office.

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