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Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 27 Jun 2014, 9:30am
by phil parker
For a return journey, I got the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool and cycled to Inverness, camping at Beauly, then cycled to Fort William and got the train back to Glasgow from there. With a pre-bought ticket it was only about £9.50!

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 27 Jun 2014, 11:45am
by Tigger
gloomyandy wrote:Almost forgot. The Skoon Art Cafe is well worth a visit if you are anywhere near (it is on the golden road Harris).

+1 fantastic soup + cake there, along with some good company and nice paintings to look at. (Luckily too fragile to stuff in a pannier bag As a single traveller I've become good at joining other people on their table. I don't wait to be asked :lol:

Couldn't agree more about the addictive thing... but then I would say that!

Lots of good tips and info from everyone. Another is to keep an eye on the ferry times, they can change or be cancelled at short notice. One ferry I was on, Berneray to Leverburgh, the captain actually reversed up for some cyclists who hadn't realised the ferry was a good hour earlier! There's a handy Cal Mac app which helps.

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 27 Jun 2014, 12:05pm
by phil parker
Tigger wrote:
gloomyandy wrote: As a single traveller I've become good at joining other people on their table. I don't wait to be asked :lol:.


I think there was only one table in there when I visited! The art was quite expensive and the lady owner seemed keen for me to buy something, when I pointed out my disposition of being on a bicycle she offered to post something for me - I politely declined, but continued with my coffee and cake and shelter from the elements!

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 27 Jun 2014, 12:27pm
by Tigger
phil parker wrote:
Tigger wrote:
gloomyandy wrote: As a single traveller I've become good at joining other people on their table. I don't wait to be asked :lol:.


I think there was only one table in there when I visited! The art was quite expensive and the lady owner seemed keen for me to buy something, when I pointed out my disposition of being on a bicycle she offered to post something for me - I politely declined, but continued with my coffee and cake and shelter from the elements!

This was May 2013: from memory, half a dozen tables? No pressure to buy: I thought there was a good atmosphere. They did have some postcard size prints which were affordable!

Forgot to say I LOVED cycling the Golden Road - even in dreich weather. (I'd cycled the West side the previous year.) Would love to do the loop one day.

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 27 Jun 2014, 3:57pm
by ChrisButch
Just back from a Hebridean 'end-to-end' plus various loops and diversions. Worth noting that the wind has been stubbornly from the north for the last few weeks, so the sensible advice to ride south-north with the prevailing wind doesn't always work. (Fortunately, however, the northerlies have been light). Highlight undoubtedly the 'Golden Road' on Harris east coast. And standard Highland advice now - these days ticks are as much if not more a hazard than midges if you're camping. Beware exposed legs anywhere where you're likely to be walking through long grass etc.

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 29 Jun 2014, 7:42pm
by jeeves
Just got back.....
Hope this is helpful
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/14396

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 30 Jun 2014, 9:06pm
by feefee8
Great write up!

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 30 Jun 2014, 10:48pm
by jeeves
feefee8 wrote:Great write up!

Very kind of you to say :D

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 1 Jul 2014, 12:43am
by patpalloon
Is there anywhere to stay on Vatersay or is it just wild camping? I'll be heading up to the Outer Hebrides later in July after Ireland. I plan to take the Kintyre Express ferry from Ballycastle to Campbeltown then cycle up to Oban.

BTW last summer I did the whole west coast of Scotland as part of Dover to Cape Wrath. The weather was glorious and midges were conspicuous by their absence, but the horseflies (clegs) were vicious!

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 1 Jul 2014, 7:34am
by Will
patpalloon wrote:Is there anywhere to stay on Vatersay or is it just wild camping?


You can camp here:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=56.92 ... 21,,0,9.43

There is a toilet in the community hall that can be accessed from the outside (they leave the door unlocked). They also open up a café in the community hall, so you can grab some breakfast before you leave.

Will

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 1 Jul 2014, 9:46am
by patpalloon
That's amazing! I couldn't zoom out to see where it is, but I think I've found it by looking at the satellite view.

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 1 Jul 2014, 12:31pm
by Will
patpalloon wrote:That's amazing! I couldn't zoom out to see where it is, but I think I've found it by looking at the satellite view.


It is easier to use the old Google Maps. Click on the "?" button at the bottom of the main screen (above the thumbnails) and select "Return to classic Google Maps" - You can then use the split screen to see the map and the streetview at the same time.

Will

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 2 Jul 2014, 2:29pm
by swscotland bentrider
You can camp at the Gatliffe Trust Hostels (for a fee) and use their facilities. Berneray is fabulous!

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 3 Jul 2014, 2:24pm
by ...simplicity...
Thanks for all your informative and enthusiastic responses - really can't wait to get up there now. I have booked the train to Glasgow on the 22nd and will return from the same on the 29th. This should give me just about enough time to do the route suggested. I will post up pictures on my return!!!

Fingers crossed on weather :)

Re: Cycle Touring in the Outer Hebrides - Questions

Posted: 3 Jul 2014, 9:16pm
by feefee8
If any assistance is required between Skye and Oban, I've recently moved to Fort William and have a bike rack..... ;)