Isle of Harris/Lewis

Zazie

Thanks all.
Mairi - you are amazing! Loads of useful stuff there. I am really looking forward to it now. I really appreciate you taking the time to post.

mairi

No problem, glad I could be of help. It should be noted that Rhenigidale was also accessible by sea prior to the road being built! And of course still is! If you're keen on golf you should check out the course at Scarista all the w's dot harrisgolf.com. Possibly one of the most spectacular courses you'll ever play on. I'm not a golfer but the views are worth going along for even if you're not. The beautiful Blue Reef Cottages are in this area too. Very expensive, but nice if you're looking for somewhere a little bit special. I certainly couldn't afford to stay there, but if I win the lottery....!! The beach at Scarista was also the local landing strip for little planes (mail I think)when the tide was out, many moons ago. A lot of the appeal of the islands is their natural beauty and what you take from that. You don't have to go looking for anything in particular and half the fun is just finding it for yourself. The island is quite small and easy to get around in a short time.
Lewis is larger and not quite so hilly, but still some beautiful beaches to explore, the standing stones at Callanish where I think there is also now a visitor centre, and the Dun Carloway Broch. Before the days of health & safety you were able to clamber over the broch, but I don't think that's been allowed for a few years now! You can make your way to the very tip of the island and the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse. Again you used to be able to see around the lighthouse but I'm not sure if you can now. I'm sure if you google you'll find the info you need. The website undiscoveredscotland.co.uk might be good for sourcing information too.
The weather can be so unpredictable so don't go with the expectation of fabulous weather. Just think its a bonus if you get it, but remember even if you get a nice day, there's always a risk you could be eaten alive by the midges come dusk!
If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know.

mairi

I've just had a wee look at the 'undiscoveredscotland' website and if you start off on the home page, then click on the Western Isles box on the map, it first brings up a road map, then if you click on the link "Lewis and Harris main page" on the top left side of the map, it opens up all the information you'll ever need. Some of the names down the right hand side of this page listed under "feature pages" you'll recognise from some of the places I've listed, so click on the link and read a bit more. Hope this helps.
If you've any questions on the places and locations, please let me know and I'll try and help out. Happy searching!

eamon

I second everything that Mairi said. I went to the Western Isles in Sep 2005 for a fortnight. 1st week was a SC cottage on Scalpay. That was our base for touring Harris & Lewis, 2nd week was a SC house in South Uist (booked via a tourist info shop in Tarbet) from there we toured North & South Uists, Benbeculla, Barra, Eriskay etc.

Must say it was the best UK holiday ever. So chilled and relaxed.

If travelling over on a Saturday/Sunday bring food & drink with you as the shops (scarce) may not be open or have much left.

nesssie1702

Yes, like Eamon says, there are few places open on a Sunday (especially in Lewis and Harris), so make sure you've got a full tank of go-go juice and some food and drink for a Sunday. Stornoway's not too bad, as there are a few restaurants open there on a Sunday, along with a filling station between 11 am - 4 pm, so you can get petrol. None of the supermarkets are open on a Sunday (Tesco and Co-op in Stornoway). Outwith Stornoway, the local shop in Great Bernera is open for a few hours in the afternoon on a Sunday, but not a lot else is.

Depending on the time of year you come, midges might not be too much of a problem. April and May, you should be okay, but they can be right wee devils in July and August.

Have a good time - it's a cracking part of the world to come and visit!

candjsmum

I have just come across this thread and have read it with interest as we are planning to come to Harris/Lewis in August. We are travelling up from Somerset, 2 adults and 2 children, in our motor home and will spend 3 weeks as we always do touring Scotland. We have decided this year to venture to the Outer Hebrides and are planning to go over from Ullapool and then spend a while going down through the 2 islands before catching calmac back over to Skye. Can anyone tell me what the camp sites are like, are there many because although we all love wild camping we will definitley need water now and again. We are all really looking forward to this years trip and I am trying to plan ahead, especially to ensure we dont run out of water or petrol!!

vikingaero

candjsmum wrote: »

I have just come across this thread and have read it with interest as we are planning to come to Harris/Lewis in August. We are travelling up from Somerset, 2 adults and 2 children, in our motor home and will spend 3 weeks as we always do touring Scotland. We have decided this year to venture to the Outer Hebrides and are planning to go over from Ullapool and then spend a while going down through the 2 islands before catching calmac back over to Skye. Can anyone tell me what the camp sites are like, are there many because although we all love wild camping we will definitley need water now and again. We are all really looking forward to this years trip and I am trying to plan ahead, especially to ensure we dont run out of water or petrol!!

Try the forum for MMM magazine:

http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/category-view.asp

They're even more helpful than on here!

littlemissmoneypenny

Candjsmum - Campsite info - Category: Lewis and Harris
Campsite set by the beach opposite the castaway island of Taransay. On amazing grazing land run by Richard and Lena. Situated on the west coast of Harris, ideal for exploring the whole island to come back to a beautiful summer sunset. Small beach shop is open in the evenings with mobile shop visiting Tuesday and Friday.
Total pitches: 50
Pub 10 miles
Open from May to Oct
Horgabost
Isle of Harris
HS3 3HR
Phone 01859 550386

candjsmum

Thanks will have alook at that site and will be printing off all the details from here. Really cant wait now!!