TR Scottish Weekend & Tour of Outer Hebrides

Published in May 24

The plan to tour the Outer Hebrides was conceived last year in December 2023 and was a result of our earlier decision to participate in the Scottish Weekend at Doune over the weekend of 17th – 19th May.

Monday, 20th we left Doune for Oban where we would overnight, ready for the ferry to Castlebay, Barra. After a five-hour ferry trip we arrived in time to check in to our rented ‘glamping’ Pod (otherwise known as the Tardis) located in a small hamlet some 10 minutes’ drive from the ferry at Castlebay.

We spent 2 night there, exploring the island and its small sister island, Vastray to the South.

On the Thursday morning, we started a seven-day journey North up the130 mile island chain connected by causeways and ferries that form the Outer Hebrides archipelago.

First, we took the short ferry crossing from Barra to Eriskay on South Uist where we would stay for one night. After touring the local area we called in at a local museum that featured life on the island and in particular the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his friend and accomplice Flora MacDonald.
That evening we had dinner at the Politician Inn, so named after the famous steamship SS Politician which some years earlier ran aground nearby loaded with 260,000 bottles of finest Scotch whisky. The result is recounted in the 1950s film ‘Whisky Galore’.

The pub has a surviving bottle from the wreck which, they say, still contains the original spirit. The bottle was brought out for us to see, as they do for visitors who enquire.

The following day we drove to North Uist which is very different from the South.

Next day we took the ferry to Harris and Lewis, the largest island in the chain. Arriving in Harris we took the ‘Golden Road’ that winds North around the Eastern coastline for about 16 miles.

At the beginning of the Golden Road (from the South) is the famous church of St Clements. Further up the Golden Road was a seal colony basking on an islet just off the coast.

At the end of the ‘Golden Road’ further North, past Tarbert we entered the Isle of Lewis where we stayed for 4 nights at the ‘Hatchery.’ There was so much to see on Lewis and the wide bays and rocky coastline were stunning, with many coves and white sandy beaches.

We visited Ness Point which is the furthest Northerly point on the island. Fantastic sea views from the lighthouse and the surrounding cliffs.

Stornoway is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides – quite impressive – it has shops and a small town centre unlike most places on the islands which rely on Community Stores.
On Thursday, 30th May we took the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool to return to the mainland. The views down Loch Broom were fantastic.
Friday we set off South, travelling to Inverness then followed Loch Ness to Fort William and down from there to Loch Lomond, staying overnight at the Winnock Hotel.
The following day we stayed mainly on A roads on our journey South. This was, in hindsight, a mistake due to the traffic congestion on many of these roads particularly near towns. Overall mileage was 1,990 per car, both of which performed well.
It was an amazing trip, a lot to see, interesting people and some great TR-ing roads. The weather was generally good throughout except for 2 days of gales on Barra when the wind blew but without rain and one or two short rainshowers. The skies were generally blue, and temperatures were around 15-18C – and no midges! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The photos tell the story.

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