Planning a September trip to Scotland, do people think it's worth the cost & possible ferry hassles to visit Harris & Lewis? Will probably go back to the Isle of Arran & maybe some more of Sky. 6.5m M/H. Cheers 
Harris & Lewis?
- Thread starter simbadog
- Start date
Did the outer Hebrides from South to North in 2023 - now my favourite UK destination 
Difficult to answer without knowing your interest. We went a few years ago and enjoyed the experience,especially the startling difference between the two islands. Have a little research session. Some of the beaches are picturesque.
Mike.
Mike.
Depends what you like. I think over the years I've visited 18 Scottish Islands from Arran to Shetland and Lewis and Harris. Whilst I enjoyed Harris and Lewis I find the outer Hebrides a bit bleak. Some fabulous beaches though.
Maybe bleak in places but worth it for the ‘get away from it all’ experience and the community’ ‘vibe’
Nowhere we’ve been so far has been so peaceful, safe and welcoming.
Like going back in time.
Nowhere we’ve been so far has been so peaceful, safe and welcoming.
Like going back in time.
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Maybe bleak in places but worth it for the ‘get away from it all’ experience and the community’ ‘vibe’
Nowhere we’ve been so far has been so peaceful, safe and welcoming.
Like going back in time.
Yes that is true. On a boys trip in a VW Camper we pulled into a pub on Lewis one lunchtime in the middle of nowhere. The locals wouldnt let us leave until we had took them on at just about every pub game they had and of course lots of boozing which seems to be a national sport on some of the islands. I remember one Sunday, I think it was south Uist and we had ran out of beer in the camper van. We heard there was a shop that opened just for an hour for booze sales on a Sunday but it was the other side of the island. Anyway off we went to get there for 12 and there was a queue!
Everyone headed for the booze shelves and pretty much emptied them. Crossing one of the causeways even the local coppers coming the other way in a battered police car waved at us. I think it was also down to the VW camper. People seemed to love that little van.
CWH
LIFE MEMBER
Depends how long you're thinking of visiting for. The island called Leòdhas agus Na Hearadh (The Isle of Lewis and Harris) is imv well worth the trip if you have a good few days and like ambling around among 'nothing', although you're never out of easy travel distance from 'somewhere'. As you're intending to also visit Skye it's better value to take the ferry from Uig to Tarbert than any other route - its shorter and cheaper. Also this ferry is the least likely of all the Minch crossings to be distupted by weather.
Gosh have you been to Skye? which I think is much bleaker (I'm allowed to say that, I'm based there).
Yeah I've been to Skye. Pretty sure we got a ferry to Uist from there. I thought Skye was ok but it never felt quite like an island to me, maybe because of the bridge. I do remember camping their by a loch and getting eaten alive by midges and the next night going to a pub where they sold this ridiculously strong local beer, Skull crusher or something like that. I ended up having a fight with my own tent and woke up in a heap outside of it.
CWH
LIFE MEMBER
yes you can go Uig to Lochmaddy (sometimes!)
Skull Splitter maybe, made in Orkney?
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Is that sign deliberately pointing towards youYes that is true. On a boys trip in a VW Camper we pulled into a pub on Lewis one lunchtime in the middle of nowhere. The locals wouldnt let us leave until we had took them on at just about every pub game they had and of course lots of boozing which seems to be a national sport on some of the islands. I remember one Sunday, I think it was south Uist and we had ran out of beer in the camper van. We heard there was a shop that opened just for an hour for booze sales on a Sunday but it was the other side of the island. Anyway off we went to get there for 12 and there was a queue!
Crossing one of the causeways even the local coppers coming the other way in a battered police car waved at us. I think it was also down to the VW camper. People seemed to love that little van.
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- Oct 22, 2023
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Very timely thread, our ferry is booked for 30th April. We're there for 8 nights. Leaving next Thursday and taking our time getting there.Planning a September trip to Scotland, do people think it's worth the cost & possible ferry hassles to visit Harris & Lewis? Will probably go back to the Isle of Arran & maybe some more of Sky. 6.5m M/H. Cheers
I've downloaded the Calmac app, and have had nothing but notifications of disruption to service due to the weather
on our route Uig to Tarbert.
No. I found it. Cullin Beast!!
Lethal. 
Cuillin Beast | Isle of Skye Brewing Co.
Made with live yeast, this is our strongest ale. But it’s also beguilingly sweet, fruity and smooth. Our promise: you’ll live to tell of your encounter with the beast.
skyeale.com
Is that sign deliberately pointing towards you
Of course!! I think there are many others just like it.
Orkney of course not Harris.
CWH
LIFE MEMBER
We're not quite out of the blowy season yet. Hope it settles down for you!I've downloaded the Calmac app, and have had nothing but notifications of disruption to service due to the weather
It's a chuffing long drive around to Ullapool if the Uig isn't running, as we found out scampering to catch the midnight ferry to Stornaway instead.
Mike.
Mike.
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I'm just hoping our ferry isn't like your user name
It was glassy smooth for us. It was just the docking at 3.0AM was challenging.I'm just hoping our ferry isn't like your user name
Mike.
CWH
LIFE MEMBER
My last trip back from OH was a bit bouncy but it was November and the ferry was racing to get back to Uig before the impending named storm. We just made it. There had been 3 named storms while I was there, with 4 inter-island ferry disruptions. So overnights were fairly bouncy as wellI'm just hoping our ferry isn't like your user name
Kelsae2
LIFE MEMBER
Better to go the longer route via Ullapool to Stornoway as it’s the biggest ferry and almost always sails. Then just drive down.
Scampered back ahead of storms further south by cancelling going over to the Uists.
Scampered back ahead of storms further south by cancelling going over to the Uists.
We did a 2 week trip in late August 21, Barra - South Uist - Harris…
Really enjoyed the peace and tranquility, luckily we had 0 rain and 24c some days, which I’m sure made a difference.
If you like nature, tranquility, then it’s well worth a visit, locals very friendly, eating out was a bit average, but we found some tasty seafood to bbq.
Saw lots of porpoises and 2 whales on the ferry journey.
N
Really enjoyed the peace and tranquility, luckily we had 0 rain and 24c some days, which I’m sure made a difference.
If you like nature, tranquility, then it’s well worth a visit, locals very friendly, eating out was a bit average, but we found some tasty seafood to bbq.
Saw lots of porpoises and 2 whales on the ferry journey.
N
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Puddleduck
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Our daughter was based in Stornoway for the first two years of her degree so we were there on a regular basis. Second two years she was in Perth so lived at home.
I really enjoyed my times on Harris and Lewis and it always felt welcoming. One memory is kayaking across a sea loch to get a few groceries - a mile by kayak but 12 miles by road. The children playing outside during school break all waved at us as we paddled past. The shop owner didn't blink when we walked in wearing kayak gear! Must have seen it all before.
The machair in bloom is fabulous.
I really enjoyed my times on Harris and Lewis and it always felt welcoming. One memory is kayaking across a sea loch to get a few groceries - a mile by kayak but 12 miles by road. The children playing outside during school break all waved at us as we paddled past. The shop owner didn't blink when we walked in wearing kayak gear! Must have seen it all before.
The machair in bloom is fabulous.
If you get the chance to visit these Islands, just go, they are beautiful. The beaches have to be seen to be believed. Highly recommended.
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And if you want to explore the mainland coast near Ullapool a bit, I recommend this campsite. (About 45 mins away). It's probably even nicer if you don't visit, as I did, in late December!
portabhaigh.co.uk
Port a Bhaigh Campsite in the beautiful Scottish Highlands
Port a Bhaigh Campsite is a scenic, family-run campsite overlooking the Summer Isles from Scotland’s northwest coast.
portabhaigh.co.uk
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Been there and it is a great site. If you’ve got a kayak or SUP it’s perfect for that type of leisure activity.And if you want to explore the mainland coast near Ullapool a bit, I recommend this campsite. (About 45 mins away). It's probably even nicer if you don't visit, as I did, in late December!
Port a Bhaigh Campsite in the beautiful Scottish Highlands
Port a Bhaigh Campsite is a scenic, family-run campsite overlooking the Summer Isles from Scotland’s northwest coast.
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