Western Isles

  • Thread starter Thread starter glenboy
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glenboy

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Hi everyone and a Happy New Year to you all :) !!

Anne and I are planning a trip to the Western Isles end of May/June in our Motorhome. We will be using CalMacs Hopscotch ticket. Any advice / insights re touring and camping in the Isles would be most welcome. Al:hammer::anyone:so any info on a sensible stop off point en route from the south lakes

Glen
 
Oban is always best to start your trip, a hotscotch is good, but its only good for someone want to do quick stops at places, if you like to plod about its best to chose a few islands and space out your ferry trips.
If staying at Oban overnight the two motorhome spaces next to Tesco supermarket are useful. what islands are you thinking of visiting?
 
best time to go, long days, less busy & fewer midges although a bit early for the Machair flowers. be prepared for wind as so open & sanblasting by some beaches
plenty of wilding spots by L Lomond or on the Tyndrum/Oban rd on the drive up
the WI the place for motorhoming, the best way as often few facilities, even those at the ferries vary a lot + few eating places
best advice is to try & engage with the locals (if you can find any), we find them so welcoming & helpful with interesting info on the different way of life + what to do/best wildlife spots etc if approached properly
we find N & S Harris the best, varied & beaches out of this world, take it easy & savour, unbelievable wilding spots, the eagles/ basking sharks/ seals/deer etc are there to see. take binocs/telescope & pref a camera with a good zoom
generally west for beaches, east side rough mountains & difficult access
we find interest/distance to travel ratio lowest on Lewis so tend to return via Tarbert to Uig on Skye, then the hol starts again with many more gems
GL
 
that's sound advise from cumbria lad, I find that a chat with locals means you'll find somewhere to wildcamp that suits you as well as the locals, and also where to avoid (ie noisy places where the younger locals hang out)

Off to Barra this year, will Wild it on the way up, one night at Oban (hopefully Tesco motorhome spaces), then onto barra, booking in at a site for a few nights, then wild a few nights then back on a site again. I find its a good combo offering a bit on money into the local economy and allowing to take on water and have a shower, while still allowing a few nights wilding for freedom. You used to be able to wild at the airport on barra but due to people overstaying there welcome and cause heavy erosion its been stopped, another reason why I have a view that you should only say in one place a few nights....
 
Spent 3 weeks last September doing the whole chain from Lewis to Vatersay. Wild camped most of the way. Showers widely available and laundrette on Benbecula (£8 full load service wash and dry). Spent the last week on Barra. Decided to try a local crofter (Angus John Morrison) Scurrival camping. Stopped in his field above a gorgeous sandy bay for £4 a night free showers toilets and kitchen with kettle, hot water and microwave. Stay for 5 nights and get 2 for free. Absolute bargain of £20 for the week. Really nice guy who even let me hook up to the he house to charge my battery if I needed. Never needed as my solar panels kept up with my usage. Can't wait to return for another visit.
 
We're off to do the same at Easter, but going to use the Uig/Tarbert/Lochmaddy Hopscotch. Did the oban one 2 years ago into the teeth of a howler! I wasn't much bothered but O/H and dog spent 5 hours rooted to the spot, both looking a peculiar shade of green!:rolleyes2: There is LOADS of wilding - you'll be spoilt for choice - lots of info in POI's and helpful lists of crofters to contact. If you are going to eat out on S Uist, thoroughly recommend the Orosay Inn at Loch Carnan - looks nothing from the outside but the food is amazing, and if you love seafood you'll be spoilt for choice. Beaches, beaches and more beaches, but particularly loved Berneray. Enjoy!:have fun:
 
Gee said:
Spent 3 weeks last September doing the whole chain from Lewis to Vatersay. Wild camped most of the way. Showers widely available and laundrette on Benbecula (£8 full load service wash and dry). Spent the last week on Barra. Decided to try a local crofter (Angus John Morrison) Scurrival camping. Stopped in his field above a gorgeous sandy bay for £4 a night free showers toilets and kitchen with kettle, hot water and microwave. Stay for 5 nights and get 2 for free. Absolute bargain of £20 for the week. Really nice guy who even let me hook up to the he house to charge my battery if I needed. Never needed as my solar panels kept up with my usage. Can't wait to return for another visit.
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Have to agree that Angus John Morrisons is the place to stay he is such a lovely welcoming man and a bit of a character if you get chatting to him. A true islander!!! Wonderful views from his camping field and a short walk across the road to a wonderful beach.
 
Gee said:
Spent 3 weeks last September doing the whole chain from Lewis to Vatersay. Wild camped most of the way. Showers widely available and laundrette on Benbecula (£8 full load service wash and dry). Spent the last week on Barra. Decided to try a local crofter (Angus John Morrison) Scurrival camping. Stopped in his field above a gorgeous sandy bay for £4 a night free showers toilets and kitchen with kettle, hot water and microwave. Stay for 5 nights and get 2 for free. Absolute bargain of £20 for the week. Really nice guy who even let me hook up to the he house to charge my battery if I needed. Never needed as my solar panels kept up with my usage. Can't wait to return for another visit.
Click to expand...

Was the croft on barra?
 
Just checked, where booking in for a few night at Angus John Morrison place.
 
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