Outer Hebrides

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Forgive me if this is not the place to post this.

A friend of mine has a trip planned to Scotland for this August.

While there, they wish to visit the OUTER Hebrides islands.

Every travel agent has tried to steer them to the more popular Inner Hebrides.

They wish to go to the Outer Hebrides to see ancient, pre-Roman ruins. My friends believe that going to the Outer Hebrides would be a wonderful trip for the quality and quantity of undisturbed relics.

Do you have any information about the Outer Hebrides? how to get there? where to stay? How long to stay, etc.?

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Cyrano]

Before the Mods move this to UK Community I thought it would be worth pointing your friend in the direct of the visitscotland.com website.

Here is the link to the Outer Hebrides. The link to order a guide to the area can be ordered here

 

[wayneg]

Moved to UK Comm
Good luck with finding info, not somewhere I know anything about.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thank you for the information.

I'd appreciate any other information that you may have.

I've already emailed my friend the information about the other websites.

 

[akcire]

The January 2010 National Geographic magazine had a 24 page spread on the Outer Hebrides.

I want to go too.

 

[juliebro]

Hello

I may be able to help. My mother is originally from the Isle of Lewis and I spent many holidays there as a child. Although it's several years since I last visited, I still have an aunt, and uncle and several cousins living up there. We're all part of the Macleod clan.

It's a truly beautiful part of the world.

The Cal-Mac ferries are a great way of getting there, particularly if you want to tour the islands by car. There are also flights into Stornoway from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.

Happy to help if you have any questions. I can enlist the family to get the answers!

 

[juliebro]

Here are some useful sites:

http://www.visithebrides.com/

http://www.calmac.co.uk/

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks everyone, especially juliebro.

I have sent my friend a link to this thread.

If my friend has any more questions, I will let you know.

 

[wickesy]

The Outer Hebrides were my late Mum's Disney World - she absolutely loved going back there again and again and even wanted to be buried there but it just wasn't feasible.

Dad and I have been a couple of times with her and we went by way of a coach tour with Wallace Arnold which visits all the islands but is a lot of travelling. Barra has an 'airport' - the plane actually lands on the beach when the tide is out - if your friend doesn't mind flying.

As far as accomodation is concerned the most memorable one I can think of is the Dark Island hotel on the Isle of Benbecula - a real 'out in the middle of nowhere' retreat.

Hope your friend has a great time.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thank you so much Wickesy.

I love your DVC/AKV picture in your signature!

 

[wickesy]

I love your DVC/AKV picture in your signature!

Thanks. It was designed by a fellow DISer - millipie - who very kindly gave me permission to use it in my signature.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I spoke to my friend.

She was very thankful for the additional "native" information. She will be watching this thread and emailing me any additional questions.

One of her concerns has been hidden fees and taxes. She had also found information on a ferry for $1,500 U.S. She thought that was outrageous.

Do you have any suggestions on how to best reach the Outer Hebrides relics sites, both logistically and FINANCIALLY?

 

[juliebro]

It really depends which island(s) she wants to visit and which ancient sites.

The ferries are expensive - but that price she's been given does seem very high.

Has she checked the calmac site herself to get a price in £s?

Happy to do that for you if she knows where she wants to go from and to and when.

I remember as a small child visiting the Standing Stones of Callanish. Is that somewhere your friend wants to visit? Where else is she keen to see?

I've just googled and found this site - which has lots of useful info for your friend

http://www.hebrideanhopscotch.com/pages/peaceful-places.html

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks Juliebro.

I'll let you know.

 

[Catananche]

Hi, I'm another Isle of Lewis descendant.

It is really easy to travel around the islands. The ferry is only £72 return from Ullapool (North West coast) to Stornoway for a car, and £14 for a foot passenger. Maybe your friend was quoted for a cruise around the isles?

In Stornoway, I've stayed in the Park Guest House, and liked it very much (see Trip Advisor for reviews) and the Cabarfeidh Hotel is a more upmarket option.

Here's a link regarding transport to Callanish: http://www.scotland.org.uk/outer-hebrides/callanish
I think the Uig sands are worth a visit, if they have a car (can hire them in Stornoway). It's my favourite beach and where the Lewis chessmen were found.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks Catananche.

I'll let you know if my friend has any questions.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I just spoke with my friend.

She is very appreciative, and wanted me to thank you all for your assistance. She said that she wants to look at everything more in detail, and will get back to you all early next week.

Thank you again.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I want to go too now.

 

[juliebro]

I just spoke with my friend.

She is very appreciative, and wanted me to thank you all for your assistance. She said that she wants to look at everything more in detail, and will get back to you all early next week.

Thank you again.

You're very welcome.