Highlands

[john_1983]

I've been to Applecross a few times, but never the Inn - I appreciate there's a large waiting list for dinner reservations, but how quickly can I get a table for lunch?

i.e. if I look at the weather forecast this Thursday, decide it looks ok, would I be able to book a table for Saturday?

[GetCarter]

john_1983 said:

I've been to Applecross a few times, but never the Inn - I appreciate there's a large waiting list for dinner reservations, but how quickly can I get a table for lunch?

i.e. if I look at the weather forecast this Thursday, decide it looks ok, would I be able to book a table for Saturday?

They take bookings only online >>> https://www.applecrossinn.co.uk/eating-and-drinkin...

Off topic - it's the Shieldaig fete this Saturday, so plenty to eat and drink here if Applecross is full.

Having said that the long range weather forecast looks st!

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 1st August 14:11

[john_1983]

Thanks. I wasn't actually meaning for this weekend, just using it as an example - the mention of it in thread always gets me thinking and it's about time I just booked it and went. Only 4 hours drive so not that bad

[lobster940]

The two times we've been, we just turned up and managed to grab a table outside.

Maybe we were just lucky - the second time we had to get fish and chips from the outside van (same food, same catering team, just different kitchen), but the inn let us eat it on their table.

Not sure if this is a rule to go by though!

[lobster940]

The place we've never been lucky with just turning up and finding a table has been Gille Brighde in Lower Diabaig.

We do want to try it - but not sure if it will be open in the winter. (And not sure what the Diabaig road will be like in the winter!!)

[GetCarter]

lobster940 said:

The place we've never been lucky with just turning up and finding a table has been Gille Brighde in Lower Diabaig.

We do want to try it - but not sure if it will be open in the winter. (And not sure what the Diabaig road will be like in the winter!!)

Usually closed in winter apart from certain advertised events. The road is a nightmare in bad weather. Much worse than the Bealach na Ba. No armco.

[flatlemon]

lobster940 said:

The two times we've been, we just turned up and managed to grab a table outside.

Maybe we were just lucky - the second time we had to get fish and chips from the outside van (same food, same catering team, just different kitchen), but the inn let us eat it on their table.

Not sure if this is a rule to go by though!

This happened to us recently too - it seems you can't order from the Inn and eat outside which seemed odd to me.

But like you said, we were able to order from the van and sit at any of the tables outside - the food was great but mainly just fish and chips or the odd pie.

[Pulse]

Hi everyone.

I’m hoping to cycle the Outer Hebrides in just under a weeks’ time. I was planning to drive up, and park at Oban, cycle up the Outer Hebrides, then come back on the mainland; either from Ullapool or Uig.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Including:

1. Where should I park? Somewhere it doesn’t matter leaving the car for up to 2 weeks, but hopefully nearer 1 week. Given I’m doing a loop, it doesn’t really matter where I start.
2. Is it sensible to go that way around (North on Outer Hebrides; South on mainland)?
3. Is there a better way of going about things than planned?
4. I’m planning to camp on the Outer Hebrides. Not ideal, but there’s not much accommodation there from what I can see. Any thoughts?

Thanks all.

[Blown2CV]

Pulse said:

Hi everyone.

I’m hoping to cycle the Outer Hebrides in just under a weeks’ time. I was planning to drive up, and park at Oban, cycle up the Outer Hebrides, then come back on the mainland; either from Ullapool or Uig.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Including:

1. Where should I park? Somewhere it doesn’t matter leaving the car for up to 2 weeks, but hopefully nearer 1 week. Given I’m doing a loop, it doesn’t really matter where I start.
2. Is it sensible to go that way around (North on Outer Hebrides; South on mainland)?
3. Is there a better way of going about things than planned?
4. I’m planning to camp on the Outer Hebrides. Not ideal, but there’s not much accommodation there from what I can see. Any thoughts?

Thanks all.

you need to have a bit more of a plan for the OH section. It is fairly wild and you won't just be able to pitch a tent anywhere you like, from what i have seen. It is quite a conservative place. It's also very hilly and the roads are very twisty so plan your pace accordingly. There are airbnbs up there, maybe consider using that option in places, unless you can plan between official campsites (although I don't recall seeing many).

[Pulse]

Hi everyone.

I’m hoping to cycle the Outer Hebrides in just under a weeks’ time. I was planning to drive up, and park at Oban, cycle up the Outer Hebrides, then come back on the mainland; either from Ullapool or Uig.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Including:

1. Where should I park? Somewhere it doesn’t matter leaving the car for up to 2 weeks, but hopefully nearer 1 week. Given I’m doing a loop, it doesn’t really matter where I start.
2. Is it sensible to go that way around (North on Outer Hebrides; South on mainland)?
3. Is there a better way of going about things than planned?
4. I’m planning to camp on the Outer Hebrides. Not ideal, but there’s not much accommodation there from what I can see. Any thoughts?

Thanks all.

[GetCarter]

Pulse said:

Hi everyone.

I’m hoping to cycle the Outer Hebrides in just under a weeks’ time. I was planning to drive up, and park at Oban, cycle up the Outer Hebrides, then come back on the mainland; either from Ullapool or Uig.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Including:

1. Where should I park? Somewhere it doesn’t matter leaving the car for up to 2 weeks, but hopefully nearer 1 week. Given I’m doing a loop, it doesn’t really matter where I start.
2. Is it sensible to go that way around (North on Outer Hebrides; South on mainland)?
3. Is there a better way of going about things than planned?
4. I’m planning to camp on the Outer Hebrides. Not ideal, but there’s not much accommodation there from what I can see. Any thoughts?

Thanks all.

Can't help with parking in Oban.

South to North the sun will be behind you. There are loads of holiday lets, surely some will be airB&B stay for one or two nights?

If you leave your car in Oban that's a LONG cycle back from either Ullapool or Uig. I know both roads well, and would prefer to cycle from Uig.

If it were me I'd contact taxi firms in Ullapool and find someone that will drive you and the bike back to Oban. Will cost, but you can't do that in one day (or even two?), so you'll save on accomodation.

I've visited many times - here are some pics to hopefully inspire > http://stevecarter.com/Hebrides/Hebrides.htm

Also, you could fly from Glasgow and land on the beach in Barra (if they'll take your bike!?) see pic in above link.

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 4th September 11:39

[gdr]

Could consider parking at Crianlarich Station (free) and take train to Oban. Assuming there isn't a railway strike of course. For return have some cycle-train options depending on time available, weather etc - e.g. use train from Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness or Fort William. Its a long train journey from Kyle/Inverness to Crianlarich as need to go via Glasgow, but Fort William trains go direct. I think you need a reservation for the bike.

[Pulse]

Thanks for the advice above.

I will try to plan out the OH bit as suggested. Right now, I have zero booked!

I was struggling to find much, but it seems most of the B&Bs aren’t on a centralised platform, and some involve just phoning! I’ll do some calling round to sort some places.

Are there any ‘hot tips’ or ‘must see’ things in the Outer Hebs? I plan to nerd out for a while at Barra Airport, but no other plan.

Sounds like South to North is best for the light. Don’t want sun in my face all day!

What’s the thoughts on midges this time of year? Mostly buggered off? Or will it be mostly wind-dependant?

Unfortunately can’t fly to Barra with my bike. I’ve wanted to take that flight for a LONG time, so I will do it at some point, but can’t with my bike - maybe with my Brompton at some point!

It seems like parking at Oban may just be the easiest option, so I’ll aim for that. I’m also considering just taking the car over, and doing ‘loops’ on the islands each day. Means I can leave my gear in the car, can drive to accommodation, and finish up getting the ferry to Uig and driving back through Skye.

Any thoughts from you all would be very welcome.

[Solocle]

Pulse said:

Thanks for the advice above.

I will try to plan out the OH bit as suggested. Right now, I have zero booked!

I was struggling to find much, but it seems most of the B&Bs aren’t on a centralised platform, and some involve just phoning! I’ll do some calling round to sort some places.

Are there any ‘hot tips’ or ‘must see’ things in the Outer Hebs? I plan to nerd out for a while at Barra Airport, but no other plan.

Sounds like South to North is best for the light. Don’t want sun in my face all day!

What’s the thoughts on midges this time of year? Mostly buggered off? Or will it be mostly wind-dependant?

Unfortunately can’t fly to Barra with my bike. I’ve wanted to take that flight for a LONG time, so I will do it at some point, but can’t with my bike - maybe with my Brompton at some point!

It seems like parking at Oban may just be the easiest option, so I’ll aim for that. I’m also considering just taking the car over, and doing ‘loops’ on the islands each day. Means I can leave my gear in the car, can drive to accommodation, and finish up getting the ferry to Uig and driving back through Skye.

Any thoughts from you all would be very welcome.

I rode up from Tarbert towards Stornoway yesterday. Didn't go all the way, as my parents doubled back and offered me a lift... They'd gone up to the Calanais stnading stones and got utterly soaked walking from the car park!

It was wild, driving rain and wind. The scenery was utterly stunning, though.




As for midges, last Monday I did a lap of the Trotternish peninsula, and I got eaten alive. It wasn't while moving, but whenever stopped, I got swarmed. The wind and rain should definitely see them off, though.

[GetCarter]

Pulse said:

Thanks for the advice above.

I will try to plan out the OH bit as suggested. Right now, I have zero booked!

I was struggling to find much, but it seems most of the B&Bs aren’t on a centralised platform, and some involve just phoning! I’ll do some calling round to sort some places.

Are there any ‘hot tips’ or ‘must see’ things in the Outer Hebs? I plan to nerd out for a while at Barra Airport, but no other plan.

Sounds like South to North is best for the light. Don’t want sun in my face all day!

What’s the thoughts on midges this time of year? Mostly buggered off? Or will it be mostly wind-dependant?

Unfortunately can’t fly to Barra with my bike. I’ve wanted to take that flight for a LONG time, so I will do it at some point, but can’t with my bike - maybe with my Brompton at some point!

It seems like parking at Oban may just be the easiest option, so I’ll aim for that. I’m also considering just taking the car over, and doing ‘loops’ on the islands each day. Means I can leave my gear in the car, can drive to accommodation, and finish up getting the ferry to Uig and driving back through Skye.

Any thoughts from you all would be very welcome.

You might miss the road to Luskentyre on South Harris, as it's a dead end (a few miles past Seilebost if your travelling north) ... but it's only a couple of (fab) miles, and has the best beach in the UK at the end of the road - esp. at low tide.

Midges are always wind dependent (none up here today)... and they generally disappear between about 10 am and 6 pm. Still damp mornings are still a pain in Sept... but not when you're moving.

[giveitfish]

Also plan for everywhere being shut on Sundays

[GetCarter]

giveitfish said:

Also plan for everywhere being shut on Sundays

This. And it means EVERYTHING.

[sjabrown]

Oban is quite tricky for free long-stay parking. There are some places though e.g up the Lochavullin industrial estate.

Midges are wind and moisture dependent. They don’t like wind above 5mph, and don’t like it when too dry or pissing down. Still, warm, damp evenings are best for them and worst for us.

Idea for the return leg: ferry to Uig, cycle down Skye to Armadale. Ferry to Mallaig, cycle Mallaig to Lochailort then round the peninsula via Acharacle and Strontian to the Corran Ferry. There is dual-use/cycle path from there to Oban. This avoids the A87 and A82 substituting scenic but busy A roads for roads very much devoid of traffic between the brief ferry rushes.

[Pulse]

Thanks again everyone for the further advice.

Sunday advice is VERY handy, as that's when I was planning to be there. I think with that in mind, I'll head to Oban on Sunday, and then make my way to the Outer Hebrides on the Monday.

sjabrown - I had pretty much that same idea, but instead of the Corran ferry, taking the one from Craignure, after going across from Lochaline to Finnish. Is that a daft idea?

Midges - I won't be able to get away from that, then! But, if true about the 10am - 6pm thing, then I could plan my days around that.

Luskentyre wasn't on my list, which is a surprise given you mentioned that a few times in this thread I think, GC! Added.

I think I'll just have to deal with the wet and the midges, won't I? :-)

[Blown2CV]

also, not sure if this is useful info to the OP, but there are very few pubs on OH, and almost none outside of the population centres.