Walking THE Outer Hebrides

16/07/2012 at 09:44

Polly - I've camped just under the highest point of Barra and it was amazing; panoramic views of various islands. The next morning I saw a pair of golden eagles fly past. The weather was beautiful, mind.

alexander rae

16/07/2012 at 10:03

I was on Tiree for a few years when younger, lovely weather but there can be an incessant wind a lot of the time, if the sun is out there can be little shelter from it ( which is nice but you may could get sunburn ).

LHOON

16/07/2012 at 21:14

In two weeks I plan to take up my 100L bag again and walk from Tarbert to Barra, have used the references in this thread and extensively studied OS maps for finding a good route for wild camping (although I'll do in the hostels at Berneray and Howmore). I'll make a nice report as usual.

Hamish Fenton

17/07/2012 at 14:30

Usinish bothy (MBA) on the east coast of South Uist is another potential place to stop for a night or two.

Alan Bellis

18/07/2012 at 09:45

Would 2nd Usinish bothy as a great place to stop.

When I camped on the west coast of S Uist by the beach, I noted that finding fresh water was a problem. There are a few streams, but they are slow moving and run across fields with animals in them, so I did not fancy using them. There are many houses dotted about to ask for water, but many of them looked un-occupied.
If you do go to Lochboisdale, the Hotel (nice lounge and meals) lets you camp behind for free, and there are showers in the village to use.
Barra is magical, if you stop in Castlebay, go for a curry in cafe kisimul, but book well ahead.

EDIT Just noticed this is an old thread, but my info may help someone else.

Edited: 18/07/2012 at 09:49

rob dixon 3

24/07/2012 at 07:59

Glad others found Barra good - to me, after the other OH isles, it was rather (comparatively!) developed and thus the least enjoyed. But it's all pretty good. Worth seeing flights coming in and landing on the beach, too.

cathyjc

24/07/2012 at 11:26

If cycling go south to north. I did it nearly 30 yrs ago. The prevailing winds are from the south west and I still remember vividly been blown up a steep hill in Harris, with fully laden bikes, in a storm, with the wind at our backs and not needing to pedal at all!
I saw other folks struggling in the opposite direction and felt very sorry for them.

Edited: 24/07/2012 at 11:27

Mole

24/07/2012 at 17:53

my other half did that last year - Cycled Barra to N. Harris then ferry to Uig and back down to Armadale .

The wind was from the NE in the Outer Hebrides and then changed to SW once she hit Skye. It only rained most days! She had to pedal quite hard on some of the downhil sections