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Original poster

Outer Hebridies with teenagers

31 replies

Bunnybigears · 14/01/2021 13:48

I'm looking at holidays to cheer me up, I am well aware we may not be going this year at all but just want something planned (if not necessarily booked)

I really like the idea of the Outer Hebridies, we can take the dog, no flights etc.

But which island should we go to, if we want to visit other islands will the ferry add £££ to the holiday, will teenagers be bored out of their brains, will it be infested with midges in the summer?

Anyone been or lives there that can offer some advice?

OP posts:
hennaoj · 14/01/2021 16:05

Bored out of their brains unless they like outdoorsy things. Midges everywhere in the Summer. The dog will love it.

AChickenCalledDaal · 14/01/2021 16:11

Depends on the teenagers. We did a week in Shetland in a cottage with no WiFi but with a deserted and beautiful beach on the doorstep. Our daughters were 11 and 14 and enjoyed a very chilled week as much as we did. Reading, messing about on the beach, exploring, crabbing etc. It was fine.

Chamomileteaplease · 14/01/2021 16:14

@hennaoj just wanted to say thank you for making me laugh out loud at your reply Smile.

OP I will be interested in your responses. Sounds idyllic doesn't it? But the reality? Hmmmm....

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/01/2021 16:16

My 14 year old dd would go insane without WiFi, and so would l.

Kindle
News
Bank accounts
Areas to visit.

And that’s not even the fun stuff like games and social media.

RoganJosh · 14/01/2021 16:17

If you live far enough away that the midges are new to you, then are you not a really long journey, if you don’t want to fly? It’s 8 hours or so from Glasgow. Isn’t it?

lastqueenofscotland · 14/01/2021 16:17

Do they like hiking (and I mean hiking and not going for a walk) otherwise no they’ll hate it...

Tryingtryingandtrying · 14/01/2021 16:20

It's an amazing place, but you might find North Wales ticks everyone boxes a little more. And there are no plagues of midges.

lunklitdays · 14/01/2021 16:21

I live on Shetland, not The Outer Hebrides but same idea. I have two older teens and there's not very much for them to do. We have a good cinema and the 'big' swimming pool is good but really that's more for younger kids.
If they are outdoorsy, like birds, walks, mucking around on beaches it's great but if not they will likely be bored witless. We do have orcas here a lot which even my big ones like to see and they will come a walk with me (some beautiful scenery) but generally they just hang with their friends talking about how they can't wait to go to University and leave the isle 😀
Midges are a pain but not as bad here as the West coast get them.

PeigiSu · 14/01/2021 16:24

Beautiful beaches. Google Hushinish. Need a strong stomach if you’re getting the ferry. Big waves if you fancy surfing but chilly. If you fly into Barra the plane lands on the beach rather than a runway which they’d probably love. There are some nice cafes and restaurants. Lots of art and Harris tweed. Depends on the teens I think.

rbe78 · 14/01/2021 16:26

The Hebrides isn't Outer Space, they do have broadband! They even had semi-acceptable 3/4G in some areas last time I was there...

movingonup20 · 14/01/2021 16:35

It's extremely beautiful but only suitable if outdoor activities like hiking (all day not a little walk) are your thing. My DD's weren't happy when I booked a cottage with no WiFi or mobile phone coverage at that age!

Lockdowndramaqueen · 14/01/2021 16:35

I was taken against my will on a similar holiday at that age. I resented it so much at the time. But looking back now it’s probably my fondest memory of family life/ holidays. I’ll never forget it.

midsomermurderess · 14/01/2021 16:40

I find the Hebrides a bit bleak. In nice weather some places can look pretty but the people can be quite inward-looking (saving Barra and its wave), the buildings tend to be ugly, and if the weather turns, you are a bit stuffed when it comes to activities. I think the Lakes, the New Forest or Dorset would be a much better bet.

midsomermurderess · 14/01/2021 16:42

I took the plane to Barra and landed in the beach. That was really the best bit of it. Actually, the boat to Mingulay was good.

GoldenEvilHoor · 14/01/2021 16:44

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

CremeEggThief · 14/01/2021 16:50

Em, not sure it's most teenagers' no.1 choice of destination. Obviously, you know your family best and what they might or will like, but it's not somewhere I'd go with any pre-teens or teenagers, as any I know would be miserable.
Now if it were somewhere to go alone or with other like-minded adults, I'd love that.

UnderTheAurora · 14/01/2021 16:52

DH and I went, flew onto the beach on Barra. It was wonderful. We then island hopped for a week or so. I loved it, the beaches were amazing, but.... it was absolutely freezing (summer). Whilst I'd love to go again, I don't think any of our children would have enjoyed it as teenagers tbh.

bigbluebus · 14/01/2021 17:00

@rbe78 There is only 3g/4g coverage if you're with EE. We went to the Outer Heybridge in 2019 - 4 if us in 2 motor homes. For almost the entire time we were on the islands, I was the only one to have Internet access as I was with BT (EE) whilst the others were with O2 and had no coverage at all - except where they could hook up to WiFi in restaurants/cafes.

OP unless your teenagers are greatly appreciative of the wonders of nature then I would say they will probably be bored. We personally can't wait to go back to Barra and Vatersay and DH wants to fly in next time - but we loved walking on the beautiful beaches and touring the islands (we drove from Barra up to Harris and Lewis over the course of a week) but there's not much there for teenagers.

bigbluebus · 14/01/2021 17:01

We obvs went to Outer Hebrides not Heybridge!

MrDinklesOhSnap · 14/01/2021 17:08

If the teenagers are you old enough to appreciate the lovely scenery and are into outdoorsy things they should enjoy it. Otherwise it might be pretty bleak for them, which has the potential to spoil your holiday.

Why not ask them what they’d like to do and see if you can compromise? There is much more to do on the mainland though obviously this is complete covid-dependent.

PaperMonster · 14/01/2021 17:09

The Uists have fabulous beaches. Never really had a problem with midges in the Hebs tbh. If they fancy surfing, why not try Tiree? Not Outer, but a beautiful island. And far too much wind for midges to be a problem!

spotlovesbedtime · 14/01/2021 17:16

The Outer Hebrides, Lewis and Harris are joined together, a ferry down to the Uists gives you another 3 large islands and plenty small ones to visit, could finish off with Barra. There is wifi. (of course!) Midges late June-Sept but only if no breeze and damp, shouldn't affect you much during the day, more a pest early on or evenings. What is there to do? Walks, explore beaches, some small museums, watersports, boat trips, and as long as covid is a distant memory then the people are very friendly (not inwards looking like someone suggested!) Depends on your teenagers.

katy1213 · 14/01/2021 17:19

The most beautiful beaches in the world. But it rains every single day!

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 14/01/2021 17:27

I love the Highlands and Islands. Love them. But I am 40-something and adore getting lost in the boggy woods and hills before sitting in front of a serious fire with a glass of red. In the summer.

I’d have been as miserable as sin if I’d been in such a place as a teen.

hennaoj · 14/01/2021 17:53

Get some gin from Harris distillery while you are there. You might need it.