Isle of Lewis - Pistonhead heaven

[sjabrown]

I'm currently up here working for the week. I've been out a few times but every time I come back the roads seem to get better and better. As soon as you are away from Stornoway the traffic vanishes leaving plenty of scope to play on wide open A roads, narrow single tracks and great scenery.

Not just that but there's plenty of opportunity to spot some rare vehicles that seem to have vanished from the mainland. Amongst others I spotted the following last night: Mercedes 560 SEL, Avenger Tiger, all manner of Sierras, a Ford Orion (when did you last see one!!), various Audis from the 80s..

For those that haven't been I'd recommend a drive along the B8011 all the way out to Mealasta (starts as empty 2-way B road gradually narrowing as the miles go on), Pentland Road across the moor (though my suspension didn't like it) and te A857/A858 circuit.

Photos will follow.

[mazdajason]

Agreed, fantastic roads. If you get the chance, head over to harris as well. We did it a couple of years ago when some friends were living in ( goes off to google to search for the village...) 'Dell' and tehroads to there were great 'B roads ' as such.

[Kiltie]

Salted gannet ... ... and the best black pudding in the world ...



Cheers,

Eric

[anonymous-user]

Agreed, great roads for driving, just watch out for locals coming towards you on single track roads - for some of them the done thing isn't stop and pull into a layby, it's move over slightly and both pass at speed whilst each have 2 wheels on the verge

I've loads of family up there and spent easter and summer there every year in my youth, Lewis on a nice day (when the midges arent out) is a wonderful place to visit.

[VetteG]

Most of the crashes on Harris used to happen on the 2 lane roads, the locals being so used to single track they treated them the same way and invariably met in the middle.
A trip out past Amhuinnsuidhe is a good one.

G

[Wee gus]

My neck of the woods, some of the best driving roads around if you ask me,

[sjabrown]

As promised a few photos:










Now back on the mainland. I was stuck with my diesel Honda for the week - would've been much more fun in one of the peugeots.

[disco!!!!]

the motherland
i escaped from there about 6 years ago
whilst you were on your way to mealista you should have taken a detour through valtos, reef etc
there are some crackng beaches, views and the smallest post office going
it was run by my auntie until it shut down a fair few years ago
there are two butchers that sell the best black pudding known to man, i am more of a charley barleys (charles macleod)man myself

there are still loads of single track road on the island but there are some great roads if you can stomach the fuel costs

salted gannet - the guga is rank lol

there are a fair few cars hidden away too
a mate has a 3 door sierra cosworth that he is just about finished restoring but he bought himself a focus RS500 so the sierra might be for sale
another guy has an X-pack Mk2 escort RS2000 in white, it is spotless
the list goes on and on you would be surprised at what cars you would find up there

Edited by disco!!!! on Sunday 22 April 14:32

[breakdown]

ALSO try orkney.My late wife and i have being going there since the late eighties. I still go there to the same self catering chalet at least once a year. the roads are better than Lewis as they are long and straight. had the Aston and the VXR8 up-fantastic. We are not talking about speeding-just a great drive on quiet roads.

[johndkelly]

Agreed that Lewis is Pistonhead heaven and has been for as long as I have been visiting (35+ years). There are still several fine examples of Mk2 Escort RS2000s on the Island together a whole range of mint cars that I know of such as old Beetles, Jag XK150 convertible, various Subs/Evos, RS Cosworths, Puma Racing, Mk1 Golf GTi, BMs, old Vauxhalls, old Mercs, 993s, 997GT3 RS, anything and everything! They are very active with local events such as 1/4 mile events at the Airport, track days at the kart track (yes really!) as well as static events and tours organised by the local car clubs.

A great place to visit if you have an interesting car or just an interest in cars.

[coppice]

Having spent 30 odd years exploring the Highlands the time is coming to explore Lewis and Harris as well next year. Sounds fabulous but one question - my car (Caterham Seven )has not brilliant ground clearance- likely to be much of a problem? Hope not - has been fine in Wester Ross and Sutherland etc Intend to get ferry from Ullapool- any alternative suggestions or comments ? Low car an issue on ferry boarding ?

[GetCarter]

coppice said:

Having spent 30 odd years exploring the Highlands the time is coming to explore Lewis and Harris as well next year. Sounds fabulous but one question - my car (Caterham Seven )has not brilliant ground clearance- likely to be much of a problem? Hope not - has been fine in Wester Ross and Sutherland etc Intend to get ferry from Ullapool- any alternative suggestions or comments ? Low car an issue on ferry boarding ?

You'll be fine, but you may want to tell CalMac (ferry Co.) as they will put you on last with a ramp onto the ramp - as the 'on/off' is a bit tricky in a Seven... esp at Uig. Only done Ullapool once ... but I think the angle of attack is slightly less. It's better from Uig as it's half the time on the boring ferry.... which is why I use it all the time (and it's cheaper, and one doesn't have to go to the 'town' known as Stornaway).

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 8th August 18:57

[disco!!!!]

GetCarter said:

You'll be fine, but you may want to tell CalMac (ferry Co.) as they will put you on last with a ramp onto the ramp - as the 'on/off' is a bit tricky in a Seven... esp at Uig. Only done Ullapool once ... but I think the angle of attack is slightly less. It's better from Uig as it's half the time on the boring ferry.... which is why I use it all the time (and it's cheaper, and one doesn't have to go to the 'town' known as Stornaway).

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 8th August 18:57

As GetCarter was saying: contact caledonian macbrayne first and they can have some planks of wood ready.
to be honest it will depend on the tide both ferrys are as bad as each other for getting on/off if the tide isn't in your favour
The Uig-Tarbert ferry is the better one being that it's cheaper, shorter and the bad weather doesn't affect it too much
Stornoway* isn't a town, it's the capital

[jith]

sjabrown said:

As promised a few photos:










Now back on the mainland. I was stuck with my diesel Honda for the week - would've been much more fun in one of the peugeots.

"Bonnie Scotland I adore thee, though I'm far across the sea"

"And when loneliness creeps o'er me, my thoughts run back to thee"

[McWigglebum4th]

coppice said:

Having spent 30 odd years exploring the Highlands the time is coming to explore Lewis and Harris as well next year. Sounds fabulous but one question - my car (Caterham Seven )has not brilliant ground clearance- likely to be much of a problem? Hope not - has been fine in Wester Ross and Sutherland etc Intend to get ferry from Ullapool- any alternative suggestions or comments ? Low car an issue on ferry boarding ?

Caterhams are way better at getting on and off ferrys then exoctica. Your approach and departure angles are in landrover defender territory as the wheels are at the ends. So you aren't going to crunch an expensive bumper.

Where they suck is breakover angle. But everything in the middle is pretty sturdy so if you get stuck then get out and pick the car up

[coppice]

Thanks for the advice all; if I knew what breakover angle was I'd be looking out for it ..Will now google to find out..

[jet_noise]

Dear c,

another preference for the Uig crossing, you get to drive the whole length of Skye.
And Skye Brewery shop is opposite the ferry terminal .
Breakfast on the ferry surprisingly good too,



regards,
Jet