Thanks for Hebridean Recommendations
Back in early Spring I asked for suggestions for Outer Hebrides sites, since the reviews of some of places on UKCampsites were to say the least, daunting. ("None of the above reviews can sum up the awfulness..." of one, comes to mind!)
We're back from a wonderfully inspiring month away, including just over 2 weeks working our way up the islands from Barra to Lewis. And yes, another time we'd give more time to particular parts of that, but it was a first exploration.
Thanks to a number of people who recommended various sites and sources of info - and Mr TW of Cornwall, we may differ on our approach to some green issues, but my wife & I salute your recommendations of several Western Isles sites 
For the record, after N Ledaig by Oban, (which for our money was just as pleasing as the more iconic and beautifully sited Bunree), we used Borve on Barra, Kilbride on S Uist, Balranald on N Uist, (where we did hear, if not see, the corncrakes), Horgabost on Harris, and Eileann na Fraoich at Shawbost on Lewis, before several more on the mainland. All great sites in their different ways, and most of them well worth repeat visits.
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Thanks for coming back with the update, HH.
You used several sites that we did and I’m pleased it worked for you.
Happy to have helped - just shout when you’re ready to do the Northern Isles😀
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That's an idea - though it'll likely be not for a while, too much going on just now
So here are some images just to go on with....
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Snap. We must have stopped in the same place at Seilebost to take them.
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Well, it's that layby on the road, isn't it? Otherwise all the grockle... or whatever the Gaelic is for that... would stop anyway, just like they do in passing places, and snap away at such a spectacular view.
It was worth the serious cold of off-grid Horgabost in an unheated van for those views.I found we couldn't even use the gas-powered water heater, it was kettle or nothing, as the NE wind was at just the angle and strength that it got in the cowling and raced the burner until I smelt scorching plastic! (Worked well enough this morning when I tried it.)
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That’s a lovely thank you HH, only sorry that we couldn’t contribute not knowing the Hebrides as others do. Fully concur with you about North Ledaig, we drove up to Bunree to take a look at the site, but came back preferring North Ledaig. It’s actually where we joined the Club, decades ago, with our tiny little camper. Happy memories. Stunning photos by the way.😁
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PS, you also mentioned Borve, which is indeed an absolute gem of a site, as long as the vehicle you bring isn't too big.
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Thanks - I bet I'm not the only one with loads more photos like these :-)
In short - yes, go. Go! Advice to go in May was excellent - apparently the best chance of decent weather, pre-midge, and before the real tourist rush starts.
I'll see what time I get... photo of gent sitting and thinking to go on with...
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Thanks :-) Talking of "tiny little camper" ... we were delighted to meet a couple there with a tiny caravan from 1996, (sorry, I didn't note model and make), who were amiably peeved with us, their neighbours, because they're usually the ones with the oldest, smallest, most basic caravan on any site, and ours was even smaller, albeit 4 years younger! Made for a great conversation starter!
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Hope you heeded the warning to approach from the Castlebay direction.😆
The only site I wasn’t keen on was the MH site at Talla Na Mara. It didn’t live up to its description. The others were all gems.👍🏻
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Indeed we did most carefully approach Borve from Castlebay, having read and inwardly digested. In fact the main danger was of not realising it was there at all, so well does the slip road disappear off down the side!
Luckily our caravan is short enough that leaving in a Northerly direction was easy, but I'd not have wanted to do it with a big caravan, nor yet a big motorhome.
We looked up Talla na Mara, warned by your comments and others saying similar things, and as I said, went to Horgabost instead, which was truly rewarding.
I don't know how Talla na Mara compared with your visit, but the whole site appeared to be a construction work in progress, and we didn't spot any vans of any description there when we drove past.
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Glad you didn’t get caught out at Borve.
Talla Na Mara looked like that when we were there and I said on another forum it didn’t look finished. That guy agreed. It only has the 3 HS pitches and they’re rough. I’d use Seilebost school site another time.
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I'm struggling to remember if there are any CLs, tbh. Theres a C&CC CS on Barra but I can't recall any other 5 van sites. We used the privately owned/commercial sites and found them to be very good in the main. Check out UK Campsites website for listings.
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Thanks for the reply.....there’s a CL on Barra....Croft no2 I believe....looking at it or Scurrival campsite over and above a night at Borve. I see there’s an issue approaching Borve.....what is that......we have 5.99m van conversion....is there on,y a issue with caravans?
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If you approach the Borve site from the north you have to make a tight hairpin turn to the right into the site entrance. Our van is the same size as yours and we managed it but it would be decidedly iffy for a large MH or for anyone towing a caravan.
Pics: On site at Borve - the levelling ramps are provided, and looking across the bay.
PS The facility block is superb as was the case on every site we stayed at.
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I recognise those views :-)
Dora Explorer, why not try both Croft no 2 and Borve? They're at different ends of this, er, enormous island, IIRC...well, different views, anyway. Thoroughly endorse TW's comments on the quality of Borve.
We took the advice, and approached from the South... keep an eye out so you don't drive past & miss it... but left heading North towing the van with no problems. As you'll see, it's not the biggest caravan, (5m nose to tail), but we had plenty of room.I seriously advise reading reviews on UKCampsite for other sites all up the Western Isles. There are some which seem well worth avoiding. With the aid of those reviews and advice here we struck lucky every time.
Booking ferries early was the other essential. Campsite owners several times asked if I'd booked the ferry before the reserved our pitch. Probably much easier with a Van than a caravan.PS - looking at the pictures makes me realise how essential it's going to be to return to these islands.
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Let’s not forget the airport in the north of Barra which won’t be far from Croft No. 2.
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Sounds good, Dora. We stayed at Eilean Fraoich on Lewis, Talla Na Mara on Harris, Balranald North Uist, Shellbay Benbecula, Kilbride South Uist as well as Borve on Barra. Talla Na Mara is the only one I'd choose not to return to and the rest were first class.
Wild camping opportunities exist in plenty if that's your thing and Harris has dedicated places for this where they ask for £5 p/n.
We only booked the outbound ferry and first site in advance then booked everything else just a couple of days in advance. That was June 2018.
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We've only been to Lewis/Harris once - last Easter, in fact, but we weren't brave enough to take the caravan - it hardly seemed worthwhile to take the 'van for a short period taking into consideration the mileage, extra ferry costs etc. It actually worked out cheaper for us to take the small car and rent a cottage for our short visit. I've enjoyed reading this thread though, and has given a little food for thought should we decide to take the 'van in future.
Incidentally, our eldest daughter and husband have recently bought a cottage on the South of Lewis and are gradually doing it up. They are moving up there 'full time' in April. Ruth is a nurse and has got a job at Stornaway hospital, doing the same sort of thing that she does at Manchester.... running training courses/ updates for Drs and nurses. Perhaps we will visit more often...... (You couldn't make this us...... our eldest daughter in Lewis, our youngest daughter in Falmouth and our 'middle' son a couple of streets away!!)
David
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TW, we used most of these too, all excellent.
Dora, we avoided Talla na Mara on Harrris, instead going for Horgabost. No EHU, basic facilities, no toilet disposal, ( it's in town, a few miles away at council tip), but a view to die for! And friendly helpful warden too.
Be prepared for strong winds and then some at all these places.
Eileann Fraoich (island of heather) was the least characterful, but seemed the best available on Lewis, lots of places to visit from there.
We found reading Peter May's Hebridean trilogy of books while there was both entertaining, and good fun spotting all the places mentioned with great accuracy, right down to the bus shelters!
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Ah, the green roofed shieling on Barvas Moor!
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Been reading this thread and noticed no-one has mentioned Moorcroft Holidays at Carinish North Uist, this is an excellent small site, overlooking a lovely tidal bay, takes caravans of most sizes. Very nice owners and V Good facilities including a disabled washroom. Agree with others about other sites on the Islands, only one I wouldnt go back to would be Minch View on the Golden Road on Harris, unless its been refurbished in the last year ? Drinishader is a Lovely spot though.
We love the Islands and the people, and have been several times, as said plenty of wilding spots too, leave no trace, dont leave rubbish, there are toilet dumping stations at MOST ferry terminals, but they are not always obvious so ASK, also usually a water tap to top up. Enjoy !
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David, you have much to discover and enjoy. It's certainly worth exploring the other islands whichever way you do it.
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