Anyone taken a caravan over to the outer Hebridies? What are roads like for towing and camping sites?
Outer Hebridies
- Thread starter IonaCaravan
- Start date
You will have a hard time finding a road to tow on taking you to the Western Isles (if you go don't mention the term Outer Hebrides to any of the locals) 
. Seriously the ferry ports for the Western Isles are in fairly remote areas of the Highlands (or Skye) so the roads are not brilliant for towing, but with care you will be fine.
. Seriously the ferry ports for the Western Isles are in fairly remote areas of the Highlands (or Skye) so the roads are not brilliant for towing, but with care you will be fine.
Hi Iona
We're doing this trip over 8 weeks this summer. If you use the Caledonian Mac Brayne Island Hopscotch tickets it works out quite economical. The roads to Oban are very good. Thus we leave from Oban to Isle of Mull and gradually move across the Islands and then leave Isle of Lewis for Ullapool. The roads South from Ullapool are execellent, via Inverness. I'm struggling a bit with William's thoughts but will say the road to Mallaig is very slow and twisty but that's why we go via Oban. Also the road to kyle of Lochalsh for the Skye bridge is pretty good.
We've had many holidays in Sutherland and up there the roads do get a lot narrower, single track etc but in all honesty no problem and well worth the effort. eg CC site at Grummore.
What did you have in mind? Maybe we could swap notes?
Cheers
Dustydog
We're doing this trip over 8 weeks this summer. If you use the Caledonian Mac Brayne Island Hopscotch tickets it works out quite economical. The roads to Oban are very good. Thus we leave from Oban to Isle of Mull and gradually move across the Islands and then leave Isle of Lewis for Ullapool. The roads South from Ullapool are execellent, via Inverness. I'm struggling a bit with William's thoughts but will say the road to Mallaig is very slow and twisty but that's why we go via Oban. Also the road to kyle of Lochalsh for the Skye bridge is pretty good.
We've had many holidays in Sutherland and up there the roads do get a lot narrower, single track etc but in all honesty no problem and well worth the effort. eg CC site at Grummore.
What did you have in mind? Maybe we could swap notes?
Cheers
Dustydog
Hi Dustydog,
For your information we were on the road to Mallaig last year and there was significant road improvements nearing completion.
Jim
For your information we were on the road to Mallaig last year and there was significant road improvements nearing completion.
Jim
Thanks Jim
I was last on it two years ago.
Fortunately or unfortunately we wont be using this year, but useful to know.
Cheers
Dustydog
I was last on it two years ago.
Fortunately or unfortunately we wont be using this year, but useful to know.
Cheers
Dustydog
Thank you for the replies. I was keen to know how easy or difficult it is when towing on the islands such as Lewis, Harris and Barra and also what their campsites are like. I must apologize for my shocking spelling of Hebrides! It is my understanding that the last part of single track at Arisaig has now been upgraded to a motorway!
Dustydog, we are thinking of going there later in the summer now that REM fares have been implemented. Our main summer holiday will be down south in the hope of better weather but of course it doesn't always work out that way!
Cheers Iona
Dustydog, we are thinking of going there later in the summer now that REM fares have been implemented. Our main summer holiday will be down south in the hope of better weather but of course it doesn't always work out that way!
Cheers Iona
Hi Iona
The sites on Lewis are limited and in the end , based on UK Campsites we opted for Eilean Fraoich. I have spoken to them and they seem very friendly.
At the end of the day we are not too bothered as we know it is probably unlikely they will be CC quality but then that isn't a problem. We can be self sufficient, afterall that's why we all have showers and toilets in our caravans isn't it?
Cheers
Dustdog
The sites on Lewis are limited and in the end , based on UK Campsites we opted for Eilean Fraoich. I have spoken to them and they seem very friendly.
At the end of the day we are not too bothered as we know it is probably unlikely they will be CC quality but then that isn't a problem. We can be self sufficient, afterall that's why we all have showers and toilets in our caravans isn't it?
Cheers
Dustdog
we went 2 years ago the roads are ok ,there is a nice camp site too,we did a lot of wild camping there are toilets with showers in some of the ports there is fresh water and you can empty your loo ,the people are very nice when you get of the ferry call in tourist information the told us were to fill with water,they also said park any place but dont park near someones house,so go ahead and enjoy your hols
Hi All. Three subjects that havnt been covered here with regards to touring on the Uists / Harris/ Barra and Lewis is that these islands have a strict tradition of closing down on sabbath days, Shops, pubs the lot. Locals are still fighting to stop ferry services running on Sundays as they feel Calmac have imposed Sunday services on them against their wishes.Not all islanders feel that way but a few years ago a local minister lay on the slipway to prevent the ferry docking in protest. people still go to church in large numbers in these areas and its great to see it these days. There is an old fashioned friendliness with the locals and they like to talk so get stuck in. Another thing you will find across the highlands and islands is ALL the roadsigns are now bi-lingual, a million pounds has been spent on new signs to help promote the gaelic language and recent reports in the press and by the police have indicated that these bi-lingual signs have caused spates of accidents during the tourist season as drivers stop to double read or u turn on single track roads after misreading them so take your time when approaching these new signs but most important of all is this.....if a car/ bus or truck is behind you PULL OVER INTO A PASSING PLACE N LET THEM PAST....there probably at work and will be in a hurry. Also here,s a good tip for touring in these areas go online to www.midgeforecast.co.uk and you will get daily updates for midge hotspots...it s a great website.....enjoy
More info....highlights on Mull for you to visit...I can recommend a visit to your namesake Iona and its abbey, i lived on Mull for 7 years and people travel there from all over the world to visit it...also take the boat trip to Fingals cave on the Isle of Staffa, its one of the 7 wonders of Britain. And finally a MUST is to take a whale watching trip out from Tobermory and finish off the day with the "Best fish n chips in Scotland " on Tobermory pier.
Barkas thanks for the info on the Isles and Mull. I live in central Scotland and have been to Mull a few times. I agree a visit to Iona is a must as well as to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles. My daughter was desperate to see dolphins but no matter how much time we spent on a boat they were being elusive! Boat trips are a pleasure reguardless of what you see. I have made a few scuba diving trips to Mull and stayed in the luxury chalets at Salen Pier!! Calgary bay is also very beautiful. The reason I want to go to the hebrides is because I havn't been there yet.
Iona
Iona
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