Outer Hebrides ferries
We are considering visiting the
Outer Hebrides in June/July 2017 in our motorhome and have a few queries on the ferry crossings.
We would intend to use the Calmac Hopscotch 23
route. We presume that the Oban to Castlebay & Tarbet to Uig sections would need to be pre-booked but that the inter-island links would be “first come – first served” and pre-booking wouldn’t be a requirement. Is that correct? Anyone had any experience of
using the ferries on this route.
Any recommended “must see” areas &/or wild camping spots?
PilgrimPhil
Comments
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I have done that route twice recently and there are a fair few motorhomes on that route......
I dont think I ever saw the shorter route ferries actually completely full, but they were certainly getting that way on the more poular time of day sailings....
given June/July is a popular time, I personally would be tempted to book if you are following a tight itinery, if not, then the scenery around all the ports is stunning, if you turn up, a ferry is full, make a brew, enjoy and wait for the next....
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To make the most of the trip you really need to be flexible.On the number of times my 6m camper has had no problems, Bookfd out of Oban on a hopscotch. The rest was a turn up or quick phone the day before I needed a connecting ferry.Never had a problem
and never booked stes etc ahead..Life is very steady there and everyone is accommodating. I think prices from last year have decreased a lot following some Scot Legislation.0 -
Yes, you're correct re bookings.
Not to be missed: the Castlebay Bar on Barra on many/most Saturday nights when the Vatersay boys are on. Barra airport when a plane lands. Luskentyre beach on Harris (there's also
Horgabost Camping And Wild Camping near there that isn't quite wild camping, but close to it and quite cheap and with spectacular scenery).Wild camping can be done in the Uists but be careful you're not too close to any housing as the locals may object. Look on
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ for details and reviews of campsites. Most are good though as always there are a few duds.Be prepared to find relatively few pubs / eating places and, in our experience anyway, even fewer decent ones. You'll find mini-markets (most with a cashpoint) every 30 miles or so. Many single-track roads with passing places, but you can see people coming
from a long way away so easy enough to deal with.FWIW we enjoyed Barra and Harris/Lewis but found the Uists a bit ... barren.
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You've certainly chosen a great area to tour. Ive been to the outer hebrides many times. your route starting at Oban to Barra is the route I choose .
Be aware that due to the dreadful mess left by Wild Campers, particularly near the Airport, Barra is strict in enforcing the "no rough camping rule" ----- There is a good choice of campsites however.
On the Uists and Benbecula rough camping is tolerated.
Enjoy your Hebridean tour. Its an area full of interest.
Cheers ...........K
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Thanks for all the replies on this topic.
We have used the inter island ferries on Shetland and just turned up & were never refused passage. But there were basically on "turn around" so there were plenty of crossings each day.
I suppose it does depend on the ferry frequency for the Hebridian islands as to whether it is better the pre-book or take a chance.On with the planning...............
PilgrimPhil
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An update on the above:-
Just booked the Calmac Hopscotch 23 route with the Oban to Barra & Barra to South Uist pre-booked - the remainder have been left "open" for us to decide on when on the islands
Now looking at walks, campsites & wild camping area.
All starting on Wed 24th May - starting to get excited now!
PilgrimPhil
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We've just returned from our Outer Hebrides jaunt.
We had a great time even though we were delayed on the Oban to Barra ferry by a day due to a technical issue [fouled propeller apparently]. Calmac did compensate for the extra night site fee & fish & chip supper though!
We travelled up through the islands as planned mixing & matching wildcamping with proper sites. [2 to 1]. Spectacular white sandy beaches that you could just park up at for a few nights and fall asleep to the sound of the waves breaking!
The West Harris Trust have set up a really good scheme. They have two "proper sites" but a number of wildcamping spots overlooking Luskentyre beach which is first come - first served.
We saw lots of wildlife including a Golden Eagle in West Harris. No otters though but plenty of gannets diving for their supper at Cliff Machair on the north west side of Lewis [next to Uig].
We actually extended our trip by a few days and CalMac were very helpful & obliging in changing our ferries a couple of time.
Will we return? Probably but maybe with a smaller motorhome - we felt a bit "restricted" at times with our 7.5m long van trying to park up at some of the touristy areas.
PilgrimPhil
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Message for Brue,
I have just been uploading our reviews for the sites that we stayed at on our Outer Hebrides trip onto the UKCampsites website.
We wild camped quite a bit, thus not all of our stop off points were campsites as such.
Hope that these review help in any deliberations about where to stop when you eventually get there.
The wildcamping stops were generally picnic areas marked on the OS maps.
PilgrimPhil
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To the OP - I did a lot of research on the Hopscotch ticket when I visited a few years ago - and I was with a caravan - but I sailed from Ullapool and from there did as far as before Barra with the caravan - then hopped over and did Barra in a day in the car - and returned home via Skye. It was a lot cheaper than a hopscotch ticket at that time and I wanted to avoid the longer crossing to Oban as I am a shocking sailor! Lots of lovely spots to wildcamp - its one of the times I think of changing from the caravan - but never for long!
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