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All the old threads seem to be closed to new replies and search fails to bring up anything recent - I know a lot of this has been asked before but any advice on this?
If you had 6 days (of which two are travelling there/back - leaving 4 full days), which islands would you visit and what ferry route would you do?
We'll be in a campervan and coming from the south.
The original contenders were:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch-32-barra-eriskay-uist
https://www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch-9-uist-harris-lewis
But concerned that we'll be rushing things especially with the ferry in the middle - so would it be better to simply go to Harris and Lewis?
We mainly want to hike/walk, chill out on beaches, watch wildlife and swim in the sea.
Thanks!
I'd do a loop from Uig. Ferry to Lochmaddy. Drive South. Camp. Drive North. camp. Ferry to Leverburgh. Camp. Drive to Tarbert and return to Uig.
Something like that.
FWIW we'll be going back (yet again) to Uist this June with a few nights at Kilbride and then a few at Balranald. We've booked the Mallaig - Lochboisdale ferry across which is lovely and scenic but is often cancelled.
But concerned that we’ll be rushing things especially with the ferry in the middle – so would it be better to simply go to Harris and Lewis?
We mainly want to hike/walk, chill out on beaches, watch wildlife and swim in the sea.
Its a lot of driving compared to the amount of time you'll have to do the bit you want to enjoy. Just Lewis and Harris is actually fairly intense in a week to enjoy it properly! If I only had 6 days including travel I'd consider Mull.
I’ll only say this because I go there every year but Tiree is fabulous. 4 hour ferry from Oban makes it a bit of a commitment if you want to do island hopping but could conceivably be included with Mull.
For 4 days -a single small island if I could even be bothered waiting in the queue for the ferry .....but if all you want to do is drive fill your boots.
I’d do a loop from Uig. Ferry to Lochmaddy. Drive South. Camp. Drive North. camp. Ferry to Leverburgh. Camp. Drive to Tarbert and return to Uig.
That sounds pretty good to me!
We’ve booked the Mallaig – Lochboisdale ferry across which is lovely and scenic but is often cancelled.
That route was the one we were looking at the most - mainly as it looks stunning. The plan is late May - how easily do they cancel the crossing?
@poly and @tuboflard - looked at both of those as well but keep getting taken back by the other islands.
@trail_rat - I know. We've just got very little time but want to make the most of it
The 2 sites scotroutes mentioned on Uist(s) are very good
That route was the one we were looking at the most – mainly as it looks stunning. The plan is late May – how easily do they cancel the crossing?
It's down to weather conditions and fleet availability. It's the first service to suffer if one of the other boats breaks down and they need to re-allocate. The Loch Seaforth (ullapoll-Stornoway) is currently in for repairs but should hopefully be available by the time of your trip, so maybe all the boats will be available. They'll re-allocate on onto the Uig-Lochmaddy service if there are issues. I'd advise going out one way, back the other.
Much as I also love Barra, and it would be tempting to get the ferry there and back in a day from South Uist, I'd save it for another time. Barra also has the best flight/landing in the world so maybe take advantage of that in the future.
Make sure you sign up to the calmac text message service about time changes.
I still have flashbacks to happily sitting in Oban that waiting for my 1pm sailing without realising it had moved to 10:30am because of weather conditions.
Pretty sure I've got the Kom for Oban high street.
If you're thinking of going this year, do check ferry availability first for vehicles.
A lot is fully booked already and they are requesting all campers have a campsite bookings before they travel.
I couldn't get a booking as a foot passenger (!) for Stornoway-Ullapool in July on the morning ferry, only for evening. No vehicle space at all for a full week...
I thought Uist was grim. Lewis and Harris was much nicer. I'd suggest going there.
Thanks all!
I thought Uist was grim.
In what way? The beaches look stunning. Not bothered about facilities or anything like that
Really barren and empty. Just barbed wire fences festooned with plastic bags.*
We ended up doing a day trip to some stepping stones when we went as they were about the only thing marked on the map to aim for as a destination.
Did a bit of snorkelling too, but OMFG it was cold. Had a full 5mm wetsuit in June and it was just soooo cold.
* Of course this isn't literally true, it's just the impression we gained. We were ver happy to leave and get to Harris, which was much nicer IMHo
YMMV.
@vanilla83 - there have been many threads on here about the Outer Hebrides over the last 5 years. Lots of great tips and photos on them too. I disagree with the generalist about Uists and I didn't like northern Lewis at all but hey, we're all different. Harris is stunning if the cloud is not hugging your feet.
If you only have 4 days I'd suggest focusing on Harris & Lewis OR North Uist/Benbecula/South Uist/Eriskay with maybe a day trip to Barra. Driving anywhere on the single lane roads takes time, consideration for others and an absence of the desire to get there quickly.