Hebridean trip

You're right, Ne10, but I don't know when it comes into force. It'll be on the Calmac website.

It's a way of controlling the number of MHs crossing because local folk were having problems getting on the ferries.

Thanks peeps…yep, I know about Calmac’s advance booking requirement, booking sites first. Also have every intention of respecting everything about the islands, its people, customs and wildlife. We hope to explore more on foot/bike rather than blocking roads with our van. Thanks for heads up re Sundays….good to know in advance. Photos are great…..can’t decide whether to expect alot of other visitors…it’ll depend on covid rules on travel I guess….but we’re going second week in May, hopefully before the rush starts. 

It wasn't overly busy when we went but that was pre-covid back in June/July 2018. Once the Canadian cruisers had 'done' the sights, it was much quieter but staycations have since made it a popular place to visit. 

Enjoy the trip.

Thank you, Tinners Mate ~~  You will have gathered I ain't been that way for a while now but I would rather others did a little, possibly unrequired, searching than get embarrassed like that Lady  

Our daughter and her husband live on Lewis with Harris - she's a nurse works at Stornoway Hospital (...to do with training these days).  We have been a few times but have always hired a cottage.  Most of the roads (apart from the spine road) tend to be single track but there are lots of passing places.  You can usually see the next passing place from the previous one.  The roads are not busy, and folk are understanding, so I wouldn't imagine this being a problem.

There are others who have had more experience of the camp sites on Lewis with Harris, but I don't think you can expect manicured sites/ fully serviced hardstanding as a general rule - others will be more experienced to recommend.

Just be careful with CalMac, and keep in touch with their website.  The ferries themselves are fine, but they can cancel them and change the times if there are weather or 'breakdown' problems.  The last time we came back they cancelled the evening ferry from Tarbert to Uig because of a problem elsewhere on the network, so we caught the morning ferry the next day.  We did get a text or email advising us...

David

In my experience the sites were absolutely fine, David. We chose sites with EHU pitches and some had individual taps as well. We used 6 sites throughout the islands and would use 5 of them again.

I agree that they are not manicured to CAMC standards but I wouldn’t expect them to be seeing they’re on the windswept Hebridean Islands😀. All were clean and tidy with facility blocks that often outstripped those on CAMC sites in my opinion.

These pics are the Kilbride Campsite on South Uist and is fairly typical. It’s not manicured but totally fits in with the surrounding countryside and has a superb facility block. 

There’s no need to worry about the quality of the sites👍🏻

That's a lovely site. When we were there in early May 2019, towing a 5m caravan from Barra to Stornoway, there was a very retired looking teardrop mini caravan lurking on the site, waiting for its own to restore it... wonder if it's still there.

We found most of the people along the way on our trip were great, both local people and those on the sites.
As an example - a young family, with Dad determined to single-handedly erect their tent. Of course it was blowing a gale, it's the Outer Hebrides. After a while he accepted help from most of us on the site in moving the flapping monster to a more sheltered spot suggested by the owner, who then moved his transit van and used it as an anchor point and windbreak.

And yes, respect both given & received was a lovely thing to encounter all along.

Just a few owners of biggest M-Homes insisted on taking them down the tiniest possible roads, which didn't please some site owners who spoke of the damage to road sides.

If it's open, a visit to the Kildonan museum can be very rewarding.

Balranald at the NW of Uist is another great site while you're on that island.

This one, HH? I think it was there for the novelty value. It was very small as you can gauge from the stone wall behind it.

Yes, agree with you about Balranald.

The very one, TW! It was looking a wee bit sadder when we saw it.

And Balranald was the first place we heard the corncrake - not the last - and some of our neighbours there got to see one.
Definitely a place we want to revisit.

Hi.

Setting off Sat 7th May. Will be in the Outer Hebrides  from Tues 10th for 3 weeks. Starting at Barra. Staying at Wavecrest site / Balranald North Uist / Seilbost Harris / Shawbost Lewis.

Driving a Santa Fe  / Towing an  Adria caravan. Feel free to say hello.

Sam Miller