Outer Hebrides: Any recommendations?
Discussion
GetCarter said:
As mentioned, weather is really important. keep your fingers crossed!
We usually stay in the Rodel Hotel in South Harris. Not much to look at from the outside but lovely rooms in a really stunning position, near all the good beaches.
Here are some of my photos (mostly from the Outer Isles)
http://www.stevecarter.com/harris-2007/hebrides.ht...
Beaches
http://www.stevecarter.com/beaches/beaches.htm
Don't miss Luskentyre!
WOW! Thanks for posting We usually stay in the Rodel Hotel in South Harris. Not much to look at from the outside but lovely rooms in a really stunning position, near all the good beaches.
Here are some of my photos (mostly from the Outer Isles)
http://www.stevecarter.com/harris-2007/hebrides.ht...
Beaches
http://www.stevecarter.com/beaches/beaches.htm
Don't miss Luskentyre!
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 21st July 15:01
Craigie said:
What sites have you booked in to ?
Thus far, I've booked in to Barra Camping on the west coast of Barra for one evening and then the following two nights at Moorcroft Holidays near Cairnish. So far, both seem very accommodating and the locations look good to base a few days exploring the southern islands. I've not booked anything on Harris as yet, my thinking was a couple of days in the south of the island then a couple of days in the north so if anybody can recommend any sites that offer quite secluded camping, with electric hook up ideally... then that'd be appreciated.
I looked at Rodel Hotel, her ladyship is on course for some pampering at some stage so a nice dinner etc is in order, but sadly it seems said hotel is non-longer in business - the internet would suggest it was for sale recently.
I did look into booking an evening or two somewhere nice, that isn't built from nylon and air... but really struggling to find somewhere so again, any suggestions for somewhere nice we could get dinner and an evenings stay, without spending a small ransome then again, it'd be appreciated.
Fairly confident I have Barra / Uist sorted, the latter part of the trip on Harris still is a bit of an unknown with regards to camping sites and somewhere where we can stay, she can flounder in a bath and I can sample the bar facilities!
Cheers
Davie said:
I looked at Rodel Hotel, her ladyship is on course for some pampering at some stage so a nice dinner etc is in order, but sadly it seems said hotel is non-longer in business - the internet would suggest it was for sale recently.
I did look into booking an evening or two somewhere nice, that isn't built from nylon and air... but really struggling to find somewhere so again, any suggestions for somewhere nice we could get dinner and an evenings stay, without spending a small ransome then again, it'd be appreciated.
That's a real shame about the Rodel, it was lovely.I did look into booking an evening or two somewhere nice, that isn't built from nylon and air... but really struggling to find somewhere so again, any suggestions for somewhere nice we could get dinner and an evenings stay, without spending a small ransome then again, it'd be appreciated.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle might be worth a look. (Not been there).
I don't think there is a campsite with electrical hook up on Harris. There's one by Stornaway on Lewis (but it's horrid).
ETA This is taken at the campsite at Horgabost. There's a big rock on the beach... that is the 'ferry terminal' to take you to Taransay. (No, really).
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 22 July 11:44
Currently trying to get some sort of 'glamping' or cottage on Harris but very limited availability... not surprising really.
I've popped the people at Horgabost an email and also found a site near Shawbost so just awaiting word back but that looks like it could be a good base for the next leg of the trip and for investigating the northern parts of the island.
Opting not to take the bikes, the hassle / stress probably doesn't warrant how much use they would get... rest assured, I'll regret that but space / security etc makes it seem like a bike too much of a faff.
Plus the old warbird struggle to crack 25mpg as it is, never mind with a couple of bikes ruining my aerodynamics!
I've popped the people at Horgabost an email and also found a site near Shawbost so just awaiting word back but that looks like it could be a good base for the next leg of the trip and for investigating the northern parts of the island.
Opting not to take the bikes, the hassle / stress probably doesn't warrant how much use they would get... rest assured, I'll regret that but space / security etc makes it seem like a bike too much of a faff.
Plus the old warbird struggle to crack 25mpg as it is, never mind with a couple of bikes ruining my aerodynamics!
We've rented this a few times. It's great (but will most likely be full) http://www.harris-holiday.co.uk
(Just noticed, my testimonial is the first one!)
(Just noticed, my testimonial is the first one!)
There's a campsite at Ardroil (or I think it also gets called Uig) which I'm fairly sure had an electrical supply. I traipsed through it few times a month back but I was more interested in getting to the beach than the campsite.
I was really impressed at the facilities available at the beaches on Harris and Lewis, changing rooms, bathrooms etc and all really well kept. Fresh water, drinking water and plenty of bins etc.
I was really impressed at the facilities available at the beaches on Harris and Lewis, changing rooms, bathrooms etc and all really well kept. Fresh water, drinking water and plenty of bins etc.
We visited north uist, Harris and Lewis (and mull, Skye and different bits of the mainland) a couple of weeks ago. Loved it.
On north uist we stayed at the rspb bird sanctuary, http://www.balranaldhebrideanholidays.com/index.as...
There's nothing there except a stunning beach and bay just over the sand dunes, wildlife and new, clean and bright facilities. The showers are £1 which took the shine off for me but to be fair they were huge and very clean.
The weather will make or break a stay in north uist I reckon. The day we arrived was glorious, the next day was blowing a gale. Its flat so there's no respite from the wind. Saw a cyclist blown clean off the road (she was OK).
Loved Harris too, amazing beaches, much bigger than the ones on the west of north uist but same kind of quality.
On north uist we stayed at the rspb bird sanctuary, http://www.balranaldhebrideanholidays.com/index.as...
There's nothing there except a stunning beach and bay just over the sand dunes, wildlife and new, clean and bright facilities. The showers are £1 which took the shine off for me but to be fair they were huge and very clean.
The weather will make or break a stay in north uist I reckon. The day we arrived was glorious, the next day was blowing a gale. Its flat so there's no respite from the wind. Saw a cyclist blown clean off the road (she was OK).
Loved Harris too, amazing beaches, much bigger than the ones on the west of north uist but same kind of quality.
Echo what has been said weather wise, was there a couple of years ago on the bike, it pissed down for most of it, but with the weather the scenery is stunning, we stayed in hostels mostly so can't help with camping. Had a brilliant meal at the Indian restaurant on Barra. Would go back again in a heartbeat if the weather was good.
We've been to Barra a few times and got married up there a few years back.
Vatersay/Barra has quite a few nice beaches. There's also a big beach on the other side of the airport (through a gate and follow the path across the small hill/dunes). That one was our favourite as my son could go wild with his kite/RC Buggy and hardly anybody on it. The planes coming in also get a small crowd as they land on the beach.
If you don't have supplies with you then best to grab it at the Co-Op once you get off the ferry. For fuel, fill up in Oban as it's expensive on the Hebrides.
If you want to buy seafood, head down to the fish processing place (Barratlantic - airport road and then take first right) they've got a shop in there where all the fresh catches come into, fish/scallops/etc.
Vatersay/Barra has quite a few nice beaches. There's also a big beach on the other side of the airport (through a gate and follow the path across the small hill/dunes). That one was our favourite as my son could go wild with his kite/RC Buggy and hardly anybody on it. The planes coming in also get a small crowd as they land on the beach.
If you don't have supplies with you then best to grab it at the Co-Op once you get off the ferry. For fuel, fill up in Oban as it's expensive on the Hebrides.
If you want to buy seafood, head down to the fish processing place (Barratlantic - airport road and then take first right) they've got a shop in there where all the fresh catches come into, fish/scallops/etc.
GetCarter said:
jock mcsporran said:
For fuel, fill up in Oban as it's expensive on the Hebrides.
Bear in mind that since last June there is 5p per litre subsidy on fuel in the Hebrides. (People in Kyle now fill up on Skye)I am posting this from our rental motorhome sitting in Laxdale caravan park just outside Stornoway.
We spent 3 days in Skye last week (stayed in Greshornish on Tue,Kinloch at Dunvegan on Wed/Thu) and have just had an amazing time visiting friends in Great Bernera.
We visited Bosta beach (we were staying 5 mins away) and also saw the standing stones at Callanish, the Broch at Carloway and the restored black houses at Gearrannan.
Tomorrow we are doing a tour of Lews Castle on Segways before heading down to spend a night at Horgabost then get the ferry back over on Wednesday.
We've been lucky with the weather and the midges haven't been that bad to be honest although they have been nibbling a bit today as there's no wind.
My only regret is that I'm driving a motorhome and not the Eunos!
We spent 3 days in Skye last week (stayed in Greshornish on Tue,Kinloch at Dunvegan on Wed/Thu) and have just had an amazing time visiting friends in Great Bernera.
We visited Bosta beach (we were staying 5 mins away) and also saw the standing stones at Callanish, the Broch at Carloway and the restored black houses at Gearrannan.
Tomorrow we are doing a tour of Lews Castle on Segways before heading down to spend a night at Horgabost then get the ferry back over on Wednesday.
We've been lucky with the weather and the midges haven't been that bad to be honest although they have been nibbling a bit today as there's no wind.
My only regret is that I'm driving a motorhome and not the Eunos!
Stayed at Laxdale in May 2015 - great site (we were camping).
Make sure you dont leave Stornoway without going to th ebutcher and filling up with the genuine Stornoway Black Puddings.
Dee-licious!
What did you think of Stornoway town? I was very disappointed. For a main ferry route I thought they could have tried much harder to get the tourist £.
Make sure you dont leave Stornoway without going to th ebutcher and filling up with the genuine Stornoway Black Puddings.
Dee-licious!
What did you think of Stornoway town? I was very disappointed. For a main ferry route I thought they could have tried much harder to get the tourist £.
Spent the 1st two week of July on the Outer Hebrides. Borve campsite on Barra,The Polochar Inn on South Uist,Balranald campsite on North Uist,Rodel Hotel on Harris(still open!),Reef Beach campsite on Lewis(near Uig),Shawbost campsite on Lewis,Cabarfeidh Hotel in Stornoway,Kinloch campsite at Dunvegan on Skye and then Camusdarach campsite near Arisaig before heading south! All fantastic. There is a Barra Blackpudding that is even better than the Stornoway one!!! Can't wait to go back again.
Well, we went...
Outstanding!
More detailed account to follow but to all who kindly offer their thoughts, thank you... Uig Sands was a particularly highlight as was the Golden Road round the Harris coastline.
1100 miles, safe to say I think I've driven every road in the Outer Herbrides!
Outstanding!
More detailed account to follow but to all who kindly offer their thoughts, thank you... Uig Sands was a particularly highlight as was the Golden Road round the Harris coastline.
1100 miles, safe to say I think I've driven every road in the Outer Herbrides!
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