western isles of scotland with children

[time4tea]

Hello, we're thinking of doing this, by train from London with DS1 aged 7, DS2 aged 4. we need beaches, scenery, lovely food... any tips of where to go and how to get there by train/ferry quickly (or at least, with least possible changes/complication)

thanks for any tips you can give
T4T

If your doing the wester isles i you will need a car if you drive? As buses are few and far between!

Im from Benbecula in South Uist and altough dont live there now my family do and you really cant get on with out a car, but beaches are beautiful with white sand and clear water and there are pleanty of lovely places to eat.

You can either get the train to Oban and get ferry (depending on which Isles your going to?) witch is about 7.5hrs on the ferrie to South Uist or Barra or Get train/Bus to Isle of Skye and get a shorter ferrie over that way (about 1.5hrs?) All this is presuming your going to Uist but i think the other Isles will be simmilar and def need transport. HTH.

You could try a smaller island like Colonsay or Tiree and use bikes (with trailer for the littlest?) while you're on the island maybe? Certainly, my father had umpteen holidays on both when he was a boy with no car used.

Colonsay would involve getting to Oban as well which is straightforward by train. You can get a ferry or fly.

Tiree also via Oban. There's also Islay which isn't as far out but is very, very lovely - Oban again.

Or if you fancy further north, what about the Summer Isles? I've never been there but it looks lovely, and when you're there you don't need/can't have a car.

There's instructions on the website about getting there by public transport. Not as simple as getting on a ferry at Oban, but doable.

Suzikettles - I never thought about using bikes! Good thinking.

what about Mull - you can get a ferry from oban and it only takes 45mins - it's lovely esp the north. Skye is great but i would recommend hiring a car - it's a great way to explore and discover upon little beaches with no one on them.

The ferry from Oban to the OH is very scenic and you go past Tobermory (they might like that if they like Balamory?). Saw lots of porpoise when I went last year.

The Langass Lodge on North Uist is rather nice - been to a wedding there a couple of years ago and it wasnt cheap but the food and rooms were great www.langasslodge.co.uk/

there is of course the fabulous world class Three Chimneys on Skye - best scallops I have ever eaten - but VERY expensive! The Stein Inn is good too. There are some lovely bed and breakfast places on Skye.

We took our children when they were a little bit older than yours and took bikes and they loved the freedom of being able to cycle around - they isles seem very safe. Recommend if you go to Lewis you dont arrive on a Sunday though as everything is shut - even playgrounds padlocked! They observe the Sabbath very strictly.

The little Kildonan museum on S Uist is lovely and the food at the cafe there fab - the lady makes scrummy homemade cakes.