Outer Hebrides in April

[TinaLes]

Its not the first time its been pointed out to me that the hopscotch tickets are any cheaper, at least booking either by phone or at the ferry port itself you can (weather permitting & space onboard) choose your own agenda in terms of travel dates.
@G-RMPS found your parking spot on Vertasey,right between two beaches, well done for finding it.
How are the solar panels performing?
Les

 

[G-RMPS]

Sadly I don’t have solar panels. I had to drive around Barra today to recharge the batteries!

I did the Vatersay Community Hall an injustice. I looked at the signs in the windows today. They offer a little overnighting space just outside their fence but are requesting a £5 donation. They have a toilets, a tap, and grey water drain but specifically request campers to empty their toilet cassettes at the Calmac ferry office - which was closed. There is a public toilet at the Castlebay Community Hall.

For aviation anoracs here’s a couple of pics.

 

[John and Jo]

Keep them coming ...loving the pics.

Is it worth investing in an additional toilet cassette?

 

[irnbru]

Keep them coming ...loving the pics.

Is it worth investing in an additional toilet cassette?

If you have one then great but you will get around the isles within 12cdays or so without an extra one. Most ferry ports have a dump place.

 

[irnbru]

They have a toilets, a tap, and grey water drain but specifically request campers to empty their toilet cassettes at the Calmac ferry office - which was closed. There is a public toilet at the Castlebay Community Hall.

FYI there is a dump n fill opposite Castlebay Barra ferry port behind the bus shelter.

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[G-RMPS]

Just up the road from the Isle of Barra hotel, beside the, closed, campsite. Interesting night, winds gusting in excess of 50mph. Fortunately from the south so not a crosswind, or we might have been in the sea! The long overhang results in plenty of movement, like sitting in the back row of a 747 in turbulence...

 

[TinaLes]

NB: there are no LPG filling stations on any of the Outer Hebrides islands, the last one in Stornaway is now no longer selling any.
Only Calor gas is available now, so fill your tanks before going over, or get the Gaslow/Safefill adaptor hose that will allow you to use the Calor bottles. Gaslow do one that attaches to the LPG fill point I believe.
Les

 

[G-RMPS]

NB: there are no LPG filling stations on any of the Outer Hebrides islands, the last one in Stornaway is now no longer selling any.
Only Calor gas is available now, so fill your tanks before going over, or get the Gaslow/Safefill adaptor hose that will allow you to use the Calor bottles. Gaslow do one that attaches to the LPG fill point I believe.
Les

That’s a shock. I was expecting the Stornoway one to be available. I might need to make a side trip to Skye!

Meanwhile here’s a look at the Borge (Borve) campsite and the adjacent parking area.

 

[G-RMPS]

NB: there are no LPG filling stations on any of the Outer Hebrides islands, the last one in Stornaway is now no longer selling any.
Only Calor gas is available now, so fill your tanks before going over, or get the Gaslow/Safefill adaptor hose that will allow you to use the Calor bottles. Gaslow do one that attaches to the LPG fill point I believe.
Les

Just called Angus Campbell’s Service Station in Stornoway. They still sell LPG.

 

[TinaLes]

Just called Angus Campbell’s Service Station in Stornoway. They still sell LPG.

Lovely Pictures.
Thats great news! about LPG, it was he I believe that said there was insufficient call for LPG anymore so they were not going to continue selling it.
Ironically they are now (allegedly) putting in Electric Charge points as more are expected to be running hybrid.electrics cars in the future.
If and when you do get to Stornaway, and mange to refill, it may be worth telling him that the word needs to be out there more as Motor home forums are saying there is no LPG provision, I have heard of people cutting short their visits because of running out gas in the colder months.
Sorry for the "Fake News", but I am truly happy that there is LPG available even if there is only one stockist.
Les

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[John and Jo]

View attachment 291392 View attachment 291393 View attachment 291394
That’s a shock. I was expecting the Stornoway one to be available. I might need to make a side trip to Skye!

Meanwhile here’s a look at the Borge (Borve) campsite and the adjacent parking area.

we plan on staying there.

 

[kelpie]

we plan on staying there.

Stayed at Borve two summers ago. Owned By local postie , Donald or Duncan Mcneil I think. Every morning a postman Pat van arrives and he puts reserved signs on your pitch before the ferry arrives in the afternoon From memory one male and one female shower , but lovely inside . Room with microwave etc . Trying to go back this year.
Balranald on North Uist good site too .
John

 

[G-RMPS]

There’s a couple more roadside stopping places just further up the road. We’re at the “quicksand beach” facing into the 40mph wind. Looking for a sunset tonight between the isolated short showers.

A couple of pictures from where the wee boat goes to Eriskay. I’m a bit nervous about the steep ramp. The Oban ferry already took a bite out of our chassis.

 

[G-RMPS]

Got it!

 

[John and Jo]

Nice one

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[Kelsae2]

Been planning our trip to the Outer Hebrides for the month of May over the last few days. Listing all the campsites and taking note of the main community owned parking spots. Looking forward to it as only made it to Lewis and Harris last October.

 

[G-RMPS]

Scurival campsite (AKA No2 Croft) at the top of Barra seems fairly basic, although a good location. A grassy slope with no hard standings. Didn’t stop, so rapidly running out of juice for phone/ipad etc.

Another day of wind, sun, and occasional rain. The beach opposite the “airport”, facing the Atlantic, is another good ‘un with serious sand dunes.

The lady in the control tower was happy we could use the airport carpark (now significantly expanded from two car parking slots), though overnight motorhome “parking” is verboten.

Overnighting above Castlebay in case I feel hearty enough tomorrow to scale Heaval.

 

[G-RMPS]

Wind and horizontal rain discouraged the trek up Heavel. So just a pic from the car park. Then white van man appears and says we cannot stay overnight. “It was OK until all these motorhomes started arriving on the island”.

We raced to catch the 16:30 ferry to Eriskay. On it now but, sadly, no view from the van to the outside world.

 

[John and Jo]

Did you bottom out getting on the ferry?

 

[andy63]

View attachment 291441 View attachment 291442 View attachment 291443 View attachment 291444 There’s a couple more roadside stopping places just further up the road. We’re at the “quicksand beach” facing into the 40mph wind. Looking for a sunset tonight between the isolated short showers.

A couple of pictures from where the wee boat goes to Eriskay. I’m a bit nervous about the steep ramp. The Oban ferry already took a bite out of our chassis.

Enjoying your photos...
Those otters must be the most photographed otters in the world ... what you think Sandra @irnbru

And this one always makes me chuckle..

Safe travels... hope your weather is kind..
Andy

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[DavidG58]

the Vatersay no perking at community centre must be new, we stopped there and happily paid their requested £5 donation for the privilege, we did spot a couple of MH's parked about 100m further on and thought they were just free loading, certainly no P sign anywhere near and IMO mean to avoid £5 to the locals, unless they really have for some reason stopped allowing parking

money well spent for a view like this, albeit the same view for non payer as well

edit - link to parking on Barra says no parking inside the centre car park but says allowed in outside area

Broken Link Removed

not level, but to be there its worth a small sacrifice, if I stopped 100m away I would definitely use the centre café to show my appreciation

 

[G-RMPS]

Yup, only saw the £5 offer after we had parked up elsewhere, and cafe was shut though we spoke to the cleaning lady there who has lived her whole life on Vatersay.

I’m happy to pay my way, in campsites too, if they were open. Meanwhile we'll spend our cash where facilities are open, including a £40 bottle of Barra gin, and I don’t drink gin!

 

[G-RMPS]

Did you bottom out getting on the ferry?

No. I told the loading chap I was bothered about the overhang and he came out with a couple of ramps to ease the transition. No problems. Pictures are Eriskay ferry port. Good facilities. Even 4 power sockets. The cleaner here let me charge phones, laptop etc.

 

[DavidG58]

Yup, only saw the £5 offer after we had parked up elsewhere, and cafe was shut though we spoke to the cleaning lady there who has lived her whole life on Vatersay.

I’m happy to pay my way, in campsites too, if they were open. Meanwhile we'll spend our cash where facilities are open, including a £40 bottle of Barra gin, and I don’t drink gin!

we would have bought it as well, we do drink gin but found it is made in London

 

[G-RMPS]

we would have bought it as well, we do drink gin but found it is made in London

Oops...

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[G-RMPS]

A wee walk to, and into, the Am Politician pub in fine weather - it would be rude not to. En route along the coast we looked around an old Cemetry. Sad to see six people either drowned, or lost at sea.

Beer and seafood soon revived our spirits. Better yet, we were directed to the “shed” on the north side of the causeway for crab. With perfect timing we arrived just as a van arrived with half-a-ton of brown crabs. Crab claws for tea - and the fish guys wouldn’t even let us pay for them.

Kilbride Campsite tonight for much-needed electrons. We’ll try to use £19 worth.

 

[Jagtazman]

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No. I told the loading chap I was bothered about the overhang and he came out with a couple of ramps to ease the transition. No problems. Pictures are Eriskay ferry port. Good facilities. Even 4 power sockets. The cleaner here let me charge phones, laptop etc.

Fantastic that was my concern as we are 7.5m in length okay not 8m plus but we still have a nice overhang. Put my mind at rest now as thinking if going up this year

 

[John and Jo]

We're 8.6

 

[G-RMPS]

Today a walk from the Eriskay ferry to Acairseid Mhor. Genuine Western Isles scenery, mostly fake wildlife!

 

[G-RMPS]

Round houses today. Looked more like prehistoric swimming pools. The blurb is much more interesting that the site (or sight).

Oyster catchers everywhere, trying to evade the camera lens. And I managed to shake the only decent potential shot of departing swans. Otherwise I’ve been well pleased with the phone as a point-n-shoot device.

Lochboisdale Hotel - faded grandeur, but 80 shilling on tap.

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