Western Isles

[fatjac]

We are considering doing a tour of the Western Isles this summer.

The idea is to travel to Ullapool spend a few days in that area then get the ferry over to Lewis. Stay a week or so then drive down to Harris for a bit before getting the ferry over to Skye for a few days.

Has anyone done this and got any tips on where to stay and things to do.

Also would it be worth including North/South Uist and Benbecula in our trip perhaps sailing back to Oban instead of Skye. Or would it be better to thoroughly see Lewis and Harris and save the rest for another time.

Thanks.

Just bumping this up as iwant to try and get something booked this week.

Thanks

DH and I have been to the Western Isles twice - first time pre-kids and we spent about 10 days there which was plenty time to see the main bits of Harris, Lewis and the Uists. Second time was when dd was 12 weeks old and we stayed in a cottage Lewis for a week and didn't venture terribly far from it!

I have to say it's one of my favourite places and there's a huge amount to see if the weather is half-way decent. It's worth buying a book of short walks, most will take in a point of interest - standing stones etc. I found the archeology absolutely amazing there.

Have a fantastic time!

Very jealous - it's lovely. I prefer Harris and Lewis to the Uists. Do Calmac still do "Island Hopscotch" tickets? Because if so, they all make pretty good routes. We did the one that started in Ullapool and ended with the Armadale Mallaig crossing, so taking in the Uists and it was fantastic.

We stayed in a B&B in Leverburgh run by Mrs McKenzie - this is a few years ago now and I don't know if she is still in business. Camped on Benbecula in a very pleasant campsite - I think it was near Liniclait.

I remember standing on the butt of Lewis - it was a hot sunny day and there wasn't a breath of wind . I rang my mum and it was apparently pissing down in most of the rest of the UK . It's a magic place and no midges!

Been there quite a few times.......
The west coast of Harris is THE most beautiful place on earth......off to there this summer too, but wild camping.

The Uists, Berneray, and Barra are all beautiful, depends on how much time you have? We went Oban, Barra, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Berneray, Harris and Lewis, then back to Ullapool on year. We did it in 10 days by bike, to give you an idea of time/distance, bearing in mind I am not Lance Armstrong....and not too much of a following wind [knackered emoticom]

There seems to be a difference between all the Islands, and each has interesting things to see. South Uists west coast is one long beach..... I do recommend buying OS maps as many interesting things to see aren't really signposted. We stumbled across loads of things that way.

Hopefully some local mumsnetters will respond with suggestions......
Good website for info/photos
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/harris/luskentyre/index.html
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/southuist/howmore/index.html

Accommodation, I was looking at possibly booking self catering this week, but it seems to be pretty booked up already....depends on your budget, this place is supposed to be good...
www.scaristahouse.com/

Thankyou so much for all of the replies.

This is a trip that has been on our to do list for some time. DH and I will love it I'm sure, just a little worried that the boys (11 + 4) might find it boring which is why I'm also considering Centre Parcs.

Nutty your trip sounded fantastic I'm torn between going for 1 week and just doing Lewis and Harris or going for two and taking in the Uists and Skye. Though as you say there is not much self catering accom avaliable.