Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are car ferries between Leverburgh (Harris) and Berneray; Tarbert (Harris) and
Lochmaddy (North Uist); Eriskay and Castlebay (Barra); and Lochboisdale (South Uist)
and Castlebay (Barra).
The local council publishes timetables of all bus, ferry and air services in the Outer
Hebrides, available at tourist offices. Timetables can also be found online at
www.cne-si-
Bicycle
Many visiting cyclists plan to cycle the length of the archipelago, but if you're one of
them, remember that the wind is often strong (you may hear stories of people pedalling
downhill and freewheeling uphill), and the prevailing direction is from the southwest - so
south to north is usually the easier direction. There are few serious hills, except for a stiff
climb on the main road just north of Tarbert.
Bikes can be hired for around £15 a day or £60 to £80 a week in Stornoway (Lewis),
Uig (Lewis), Leverburgh (Harris), Howmore (South Uist) and Castlebay (Barra).
Harris Outdoor Adventure
(
07788 425157;
www.harrisoutdoor.co.uk
;
Pier Rd, Le-
verburgh)
Can deliver bikes to your accommodation.
Rothan Cycles
(
07740 364093;
www.rothan.com
; Howmore, South Uist)
Offers a de-
livery and pick-up service at various points between Eriskay and Stornoway.
Bus
The bus network covers almost every village in the islands, with around four to six buses
a day on all the main routes; however, there are no buses at all on Sunday. You can pick
up timetables from tourist offices, or call
Stornoway bus station
(
01851-704327)
for
information.
Car & Motorcycle
Apart from the fast, two-lane road between Tarbert and Stornoway, most roads are single
track. The main hazard is posed by sheep wandering about or sleeping on the road. Petrol
stations are far apart (almost all of those on Lewis and Harris are closed on Sunday), and
fuel is about 10% more expensive than on the mainland.
There are petrol stations at Stornoway, Barvas, Borve, Uig, Breacleit (Great Bernera),
Ness, Tarbert and Leverburgh on Lewis and Harris; Lochmaddy and Cladach on North
Uist; Balivanich on Benbecula; Howmore, Lochboisdale and Daliburgh on South Uist;
and Castlebay on Barra.
Cars can be hired from around £30 per day.
