Hi - am off at start of May, 2 weeks, Lewis to Barra. Not been there for - erm - rather too long! Then it was N Narris, twice. Any good walking suggestions - or places to avoid? Don't want to put OH off!
Thanks.
ps, FWIW - Calmac prices are, according to the person I booked the ticket with, about half the price they were last year.
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N Uist - wild walking around Eaval, the highest peak, rather boggy and lots of lochs and lochans to work your way around S Uist - the high peaks offer a splendid day out and the uninhabited east coast is wild too. Explore the machair beaches and dunes on the west coast and listen out for corncrakes Barra - the most scenic of the larger islands, and in May you will be in time for the primroses - quite a sight at that time of year. Walk right round in a day, or easy to hitch if you are tired! Great views from the highest point Eriskay - a causeway across now from S Uist, haven't been since that was built, so don't know if it might have changed a little, but doubt it. Beautiful Mediterranean seas and beaches, nice little cliffs and ponies too. We wild camped by one of the beaches but water was in short supply Vatersay, again a causeway, from Barra it makes a nice picnicky day day out Don't forget the Gatliff Hostels - Howmore on SU and Berneray off NU, both thatched croft houses. Berneray right by the coast and you can sometimes see otters from the front door! Otherwise head over to Berneray's big beach - seen them romping on the sand there Avoid - Lochboisdale, last time it looked really down at heel and wouldn't have wanted to stay there
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TT - many thanks for all that - sounds good. Have also checked SNH's site, too, for wildlife interest. Anyone got any knowledge of Harris and Lewis?
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 Best walking in Lewis is over by Uig, although I reckon I could lose myself in Pairc for a couple of days. Harris has, potentially, the best of the W Isles, with beaches galore and some proper hills. Tarbert to Rhenigidail is a classic, as is the approach up the West side of the Clisham.
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 Here is a link to the walks I did on my last visit to the Outer Hebrides. There are also some photos on the trip report which will give you some idea of what you may expect.
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druidh and Lindsay - many thanks. Nice Pics! Really loooking fwd to it - will look into your suggestions. We went to Rhenigidail in 1973 or 4 I think - walked in before the road was built, met the rector/vicar (can't remember the term there), also walking in to take the Sunday service. I think it was getting on for a ten mile round trip - we were amazed at such remoteness, and confess to being a little sad at the new road. But of course it makes life so much easier for those living there. When we went, there were many empty houses, one I remember with cutlery still on the table.
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Rob watch where you end up on a Sunday. Some accommodation providers, especially in Harris want you to follow their Sabbath Rules. There will probably be no bus services or shops and even pubs open that day so you need to stock up on the Saturday. We call them Wee Frees as they are memebrs of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
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Ah - so that hasn't changed then! We got caught out in previous trip, too - the place was oh so quiet. But mostly, the accom will be in the new Nallo or old (and larger) Vango if car camping. Any good places for music in the eves? Apparently Uist is good.
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 avoid the campsite at Benbeculla - the owner is completely barking
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PS the campsite at Horgebost (sp?) is the best camp site in the world
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Then the second best must be the one at Cnip, West Lewis. Its all good, very good. Harris has to be my favourite place to hillwalk in Scotland. Just don't take any notice of the spot heights  Just think of the 300m hills as top class mainland hills with the slog up to 600m chopped off. Enjoy!
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Thanks both. Really looking fwd to getting there - and to long, sunny days. Any of you seen the northern lights from there at this time of year? I know it's not likely - and I've yet to see them anywhere in Scotland, in spite of very many trips to all parts, at all times of year.
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The Sun is having a bit of a lie down at the moment. No sunspots and little of the activity that sends charged particles our way. Doubt there will be much in the way of aurora now.
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alas Rob the sun is indeed taking five but the hebridean sunsets will make up for it
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 If you are looking for a long distance route or sections of wild routes in Lewis, Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra or Vatersay, have a look at my book The Outer Hebrides The Timeless Way. This is available at www.outerhebridesway.org
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