Hello from Ontario Canada!
My friend and I have just decided to spend 10-14 days in Outer Hebrides this August. Yes I know this is last minute and we will be limited in what we can book. We will be flying in to Edinburgh, and spend one night before we head out. We will be hiring a car.
We have found various B&B and self-catering options that still have room, and our dates are completely flexible.
Our main focus is beach. We both love beaches, the more remote the better. We are both excellent rough water swimmers and being from Northern Ontario don’t mind the cold. 🤦🏻♀️😂
My love is beachcombing for shells, sea glass, pottery shards and general bits and bobs.
We have both been to Scotland before but not to the islands and we are stuck figuring out where to stay. Harris seems to be the glaring choice for a base, but Barra, Iona and Colonsay are on the list.
If we leave from Edinburgh is it crazy to try to cross over to Barra and then work our way up through the islands with our rental car?
Our plan is to pick up our rental car at the airport, grab sleep and head out first thing the next morning. We plan to be on our first ferry that afternoon.
So if anyone can suggest best base for us so we can book quickly that would be great as most places only have one week left and for each accommodation it is a different week so we need to book accommodation first and then flights.
So if you wanted to hunt for beach treasures and wander on gorgeous beaches where would you stay?
Any suggestions for itineraries would be also very appreciated.
Cheers!
Michelle
Also I am presently watching snow fall outside my window so I am longing for beach weather. And here where we live summer is extremely short so we understand bad weather. ❄️❄️❄️
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2566 posts
Each of the islands making up the Western Isles is very different and you could easily spend the whole time exploring them. I'd be inclined to leave Colonsay for another visit.
If you use the ferry from Oban to Barra, it would be possible to include a short visit to Iona before that but this will take a couple of days and you would need to plan an overnight on Mull (last ferry from Iona to Mull is 18.15), travelling back to Oban on the morning ferry. The Oban to Castlebay Ferry departs 13.15 and you have to be there 45 minutes before to check in.
Once on Barra, allow for a couple of nights there. Then head to the Uists. Plan a central location - possibly Benbecula and use this as the base to explore the Uists. Then head to Harris and Lewis. Again these can be explored from one location - as long as you don't choose the extremities. Your final choice will depend on what is available...
Beaches on the west coast of Harris are the best. although Tolsta Beach on the east side of Lewis is good.
Posted by
Lake District, England
9274 posts
In that sort of timeframe and those interests I would suggest Colonsay and Iona as part of a 4 island trip - Gigha, Tiree, Colonsay and Iona.
You can't drive onto Iona- you park at Fionnphort and cross as foot passenger.
For the Outer Hebrides it is really a 3 centre tour - Barra, then cross on the ferry to Eriskay, and centre somewhere on the Uists, then cross on the Berneray to Leverburgh ferry and centre somewhere on Harris or Lewis.
Then the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry back to the mainland.
PS - on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday you can connect back to Oban off the last ferry from Iona.
The last ferry from Iona may run late as it connects on its last trip to Iona with a bus from Craignure which in turn connects with a ferry from Oban.
Posted by
Yorkshire
1390 posts
Harris up to Stornoway is my new favourite road trip in the UK makes Skye seem suburban.
Some stunning beaches on the west of Lewis ,Uig Sands and a great museumn and cafe there too.
Reef beach also a few miles off
Mangersta croft might be worth.a look for quirky accomdation. As an outdoors person the bothy out on the headland makes a very special place to have a night .There's a stunning youtube on it.
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1409 posts
If beachcombing and swimming are high on your agenda then I would strongly recommend Berneray, which is off the north coast of North Uist, but connected via a causeway. I too love collecting sea glass and pottery and also swimming in the sea. East Beach on Berneray (specifically at the eastern end of the East Beach) is where I've found the best pieces of sea glass and pottery in my extensive visits to the Outer Hebrides (I live just across the water in Skye). It's also an excellent swimming spot, as is the West Beach.
Vatersay beach (just off Barra, but linked by a causeway) is also wonderful for swimming.
Beach combing pottery and glass finds are somewhat rarer on the west coast of the Outer Hebrides than beaches nearer to towns. But the beaches themselves more than make up for that.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
9049 posts
I loved Harris and Lewis, and it's relatively easy to drive around in. Harris has the gorgeous beaches, but Lewis is definitely worth a visit as well, as it has the neolithic sites and much more.
You can't drive onto Iona- you park at Fionnphort and cross as foot passenger.
FYI, there is parking available right by the ferry. There is paid parking that is close to the ferry entrance, but if you like free, there's a free car park right before you get there. You will turn left off the A849 road. Here's a Google Maps marker. https://maps.app.goo.gl/upkc5PYEu85srYEK9 From there to the ferry, it's about a 3-4 minute walk at the most.
Posted by
Glasgow
52 posts
Quite easy to visit Iona, as said, as a day trip from Oban with your own car.
Head for the North End beaches beyond the Abbey, about a 40 min walk from the ferry.In a sunny day, a little piece of paradise(as are so many other island beaches.)
Then Oban to Barra and up the island chain.The west coast beaches of Barra and also the twin beaches of Vatersay are wonderful.
A lot of S.Uist beaches are affected by seaweed in my experience.. I prefer N.Uist's solvery white beaches, specifically Traigh Iar accessed after a 20 min walk or so from Sollas Co-op; Lingeigh and Hornish beaches are a glory; Berneray's west beach as Skyegirl mentions is a complete stunner.
Then Harris...creamier coloured wow beaches which glow even on a dull day.Pick just about any of them though Luskentyre does get a little busier.
Reef beach and Uig sands on Lewis are stunners too particularly Reef.