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We're going on a big tour of the Outer Hebrides in the summer, or at least are planning on it, but to make sure my wife enjoys it we're thinking of having a little practice over Easter. At this stage she's not done a lot of riding in the last couple of years, though we will be doing a few rides in the meantime.
Mull was the obvious choice since we have a friend who lives at Calgary Bay who would let us camp in their garden, however they're away. I know there's wild camping there, but I've also noticed lots of little arrows on the maps for steepocity. I'd like to make this as easy as possible for my wife- with that in mind are we better heading to Islay and doing a distillery tour (she loves whisky)? If so, where's good to wild camp on Islay?
Thanks in advance.
we (*motorhome) preferred Islay to Mull (*Mull is hilly) (*ps from Islay day trip to Colonsay with bike was a REAL winner - and it looked great for overnighting APART from ferry timetable), we stayed at port Charlotte formal campsite (recommended) as is big white PC hotel on seaside (live music, staff and whiskey). *Also FYI - There is a bothy on Mull you could use (nearly cycleable, last bit will be a push even on mtb)
People were motorhoming on grass N of Port C towards head of bay but can give you some tips for Jura or Gigha ( a lovely bimble) if needed (*beware midges on Jura)
ahh remembered Machrie bay on Islay - that was nice - tucked away grassy bit and a beach- https://www.google.com/maps/ @55.7822589,-6.4511132,447m/data=!3m1!1e3 a nice we spot.
Thanks Towzer, we'll go for Islay then. Any particular highlights? It'll be a good opportunity for us to tick off a load of places on our whisky passports.
Islay with a trip to Jura for extra whisky points.
we did a lovely Mull weekend last year. nice quiet roads and nowt too strenuous, although a few jaggy hills on the Saturday afternoon
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on Islay we loved the attitude and the animals - (i was in a motorhome - ambulance size) and the first few cars waved to me, which I was confused by - however the waving just kept happening, nearly everybody waved, or lifted a finger .... nice - animals were good too, sheep and cows(they were up to their knees in the sea) sunbathing and they never bolted across the road, I had to nudge a few sheep and cows with the bonnent as they just stood in the road and looked at you as you tried to get by, get used to sheep lying on the warm road and nibbling the verge - they won't move. Machrie bay was nice, we liked the look of Portnahaven pub - but didn't go in. Deffo recommend the big white hotel in Port Charlotte - try to get the youngish guy with the limp to talk whiskey to you - he was really helpful (and knowledgeable), the modern fish ?? (yans??) restaurant before PC is meant to be good as well. The OA gave views and most places have a beach. gf enjoyed Finlaggan - but its a loch with some hillocks and some ruins - she likes plants tho...)
Colonsay was fab, (ferry day trip and cycle loop - bewrae tides for Oronsay(I didn't get there), but the loop and dog legs was one of the best 'bimbles' we've ever done - the chapel at the N end was unfindable but it had the best machir I've seen and cows doing statue poses on rocks - weird.(cart track them machir track)
Take sarnies/drink for a stop at Kiloran bay - which is a must do and just bibmle round enjoying the variety and tranquility.
Jura was very scenic (and imo the only reason to go to Port Arsekaig) and had a lot of bored deer hanging about - but is a LONG out and back, couple of good cheeky camps - but we got midged badly on our beachside overnighter (*can also camp at hotel and it was ok for food), also has a small shop and a distillery across the road.
We also liked Mull - but Tobermory didn't work for us and Iona is a major bus route .... it didn't have the same tranquil feel for us, did have nice beaches and scenery tho (Uisken was nice and mellow), bothy(which is very usable) and propeller seat were interesting, certainly much more distance there and hillier.
I'd say given taking it easy and whiskey - Islay, if you want a beach/bimble/easyish(imo)bike/scenery day out Colosnay,
jura is a loveley wee island only one road out and back, but really nice( and flat). arran might be a bit too far south for you but brilliant for a weekend - mountain climbs and flat bits. great wildlife beaches and restaurants. also consider the ardnamurchin peninsula , awesome scenery.
i have toured these areas with my wife who is an occasional cyclist- 30 to 50 miles per day, very relaxed.
Useless to you guys finding decent MTB routes but...
This is bringing back fond childhood memories for me. Visited Islay, Jura, Mull, Colonsay, Arran and Skye on family holidays. We visited all of the Distilleries. I think Islay was the nicest island of them all. We stayed in Bowmore in a small terraced house owned at the time by the master distiller there. My brother and I played football and pool with the local children at the Youth Club. Everyone is so welcoming on Islay.
The ferry to Jura is amazing. It goes across sideways because of the strong flow. While there the Corryvreckan Whirlpool is worth the long walk to see from the safety of Jury. Wouldn't fancy a boat trip to it!
I would love to plan a re-visit to Islay as an adult one day with our without the MTB it would be a lovely holiday.