Advice about Isle of Harris and Lewis-camping and bugs

I did a trip to Harris and Lewis a few years ago, but I never worried about ticks, but perhaps I should have. But unlike the US where the deer are the carriers it looks like sheep do in Scotland. You might want to read this article from Undiscovered Scotland on Ticks. That said, when I was there we really didn't walk through lots of grass and I didn't see as many sheep as I've seen elsewhere in Scotland.

As for midges, for the most part you won't need to wear a midgie hat, but when you encounter them, you will want one. I have hiked quite a bit in Scotland and really only needed by midgie wear a handful of times. I do tend to use Deet. I figure I use it once or twice a year at most, so I can take it. I've never found that the skin so soft options work for me.

You will be fine driving. There is much less traffic and you'll find that you do get used to it. If you are not an experienced driver of standard cars be sure to request an automatic.

One of my favorite photos is one I took on a very misty day on Luskentyre Beach. But, the ones I took at the Butt of Lewis were also wonderful. We went for a hike near Carloway Broch and I got great pictures of the hills and sea and of a very funny sheep mail box. The color of the water is marvelous. You can get fantastic pictures of the Calanais Stones. You can walk among them and there will be few people. I love my pictures from there.

Pam

lisa be sure to get the smallest car you can cram yourself into! if they try to upsize you do your best to hang tuff and stay with a small small car!

Thank you both for your helpful replies. Pamela, I would love to see your pics :-). I will keep doing some research as I have found that the more I plan, the better I enjoy my vacations. As for the rental car, yes, I have to use a standard so I am limited to a certain type of car which I think will be a "Jazz" (cannot remember if it is Honda or Hyundai).

Another question...does a person have to walk across many dunes or the machair to get to beaches like Luskentyre, Scarista and Dalbeg? I am allergic to bees and cannot use an epi-pen. I have to avoid all places with a lot of flowers. Were there a lot of bees in Harris and Lewis?

I don't think I saw any bees, but that doesn't mean that there weren't some. I don't remember a lot of flowers. The heather is what is blooming at that time. I mostly remember grass at Luskentyre.

Is there a way to walk to Luskentyre, Scarista and Dalbeg without walking through any machair or grass?

I would suggest that you get in touch with the tourist information and see if that is possible. Here's a link with an email to the local TI.

Pam

Thank you, Pamela. I had not seen that link. I will send them a note.