My suggestion would be to meet in Oban and catch a ferry to Castlebay on Barra (this is a 6 hour crossing so the first night would be in Castlebay). We would then ride across the Island to Ardmhor to catch a ferry to Eriskay. Riding would then be through Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist, all linked by causeways, so no ferries. We then catch a ferry to Harris. We ride through Harris and on to Lewis, reaching our destination at Stornoway. A ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool, then a 60 mile ride to Inverness to finish the ride.
The roads on the Islands have been improved in recent years, but still mainly single track and very quiet. It is about 140 miles from Castlebay to Stornoway plus the 60 mile to Inverness. We would add a few more miles on the Islands to see some of the sights and places of interest. I am told by the locals that their best weather is normally in the month of May - so good for us. By riding north the prevailing wind should be behind us. The ferries are quite cheap for foot passengers and the bikes go free. There are plenty of Hostels/Bunk House and small hotels so accommodation should be ok.
That's the first one in the pot - does anyone have any other idea's for a ride. How does a meeting towards the end of September/October at the FP sound?
A few pic's:
Nice bit of research sounds like an interesting challenge. I am up for a meeting early in October.Les Sims holidays in the islands in Scotland every May so he will have some ideas of good places to see and accommodation perhaps. However he normally camps or caravans. One thursday early in October then
ReplyDeleteBy coincidence I had considered the possibility of an Island Adventure so would go for this one. Yes, a Thursday in early October would be suitable. Is Clyde in UK then?
ReplyDeleteI remember Castlebay. Easter 1967, with two friends from Crewe. We were impressed by the stamina of a Scots lad on his way home for Easter who started drinking on the early morning train from Glasgow. Then all day on the boat to Castlebay, on to Lochboisdale before staggering off down a remote farm track from the bus to Lochmaddy. We sheltered from the wind and rain in telephone box before deciding our next move. Fortunately, the ferry to Uig docked in Lochmaddy overnight and passengers were allowed to sleep in the cabins before the morning departure.
ReplyDeleteThe ship was rather grand and it was suggested it had been supplied as part of a government contingency plan for use in the event of a nuclear war. Not sure of the logic of evacuating the government to somewhere close to a rocket test site.
From Uig we went back over to Tarbert and the following day attempted to hitch a lift to Stornoway, only to return a few hours later, soaking wet, to our B & B. In those days there was probably little communication between the Catholic south and the Protestant north.
Finally back to Uig and a bus across Skye to the ferry for Kyle of Lochalsh.