Hello all. My 65 year old mother and I will be heading to Scotland for two weeks in October 2024 (the 8th-22nd). I am wondering if it is unwise to spend the majority of our time exploring the Hebrides due to the weather that time of year? We are both drawn to that area, but maybe nest to save that for a summer visit. Any advice for an itinerary that includes at least the Inner Hebrides (maybe Skye and Iona) would be lovely and welcomed. We fly into Glasgow and out of Edinburgh. Would like to do train from Glasgow to Oban, then rent a car from there. Thanks!
Posted by
1599 posts
I would check whether any accommodations will be open in October in the Outer Hebrides. We were on Barra in early September 2019. The hotel we stayed at closed at the end of the month for the winter.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7977 posts
There are only local car hire companies (not National/International) ones in Oban which would make it more difficult.
One idea would be to fly from Glasgow to Barra for the beach landing then rent a car from one of the local island companies. Explore Barra then take the ferry across from Barra to Eriskay and drive across the causeway up through North and South Uist, then the ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh (on the Isle of Harris) then explore the co-joined Harris and Lewis. Drop off the car at Stornoway and fly back to Glasgow (Benbecula airport also has flights to Glasgow, between South and North Uist).
Alternatively you could drop the car off at Tarbert (Isle of Harris), take the ferry to Uig (Isle of Skye) as foot pax, hire another car for your Skye sojourn, drop that car at Kyle of Lochalsh, then train to Edinburgh via Inverness.
If you still wanted to do Iona, then train to Oban, take one of the tours to Iona, then go as foot passenger on the ferry to Castlebay (Barra), picking up the car there, then as above.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you, @isn31c. This is so thorough and helpful!
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Yes, @Trotter, I will definitely make sure of that! Thank you.
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1692 posts
The Barra landing is on a lot of people's bucket lists around here.
October is a strange month for the more remote places as it is the closedown month. Some places will be closing for the season at the end of Sept, some end of Oct. So I would get accomodation lined up first.
Posted by
4 posts
My husband and I traveled to Islay in October of 2022. We flew from Glasgow and are glad we didn't try to ferry as everyone on the island we spoke to had traveled by ferry and many were canceled. Islay was beautiful, peaceful and the people were so kind. We stayed at The Machrie and I highly recommend it. The weather was great when we were there but many locals told us the week before had been a downpour. I guess it just depends on if you're lucky or not! Good luck and have an amazing trip!