Scotland's Islands
 

Has anyone been to Skye or the other islands off the west coast of Scotland? Was it worth the trip? Have any tips on what to do, what not to do, best ways to get there from London? Thanks! <BR>

In my time I have visited in ascending order:- <BR> <BR>Islay <BR>Jura <BR>Oronsay <BR>Colonsay <BR>Iona <BR>Mull <BR>Tiree <BR>Skye <BR>South Uist <BR>Benbecula <BR>North Uist <BR> <BR>The Hebrides (inner and outer) are amongst the most magical places. If we had guaranteed good weather we'd be swamped by tourists; but we don't...Oh, well. <BR> <BR>Was it worth the trip? Well I suspect you are expecting a foreigner to answer, so I'll let them do so. I, after all am a Hebridean junkie- I have to go once a year at least o I gt serious withdrawal symptoms. <BR> <BR>The things to do are myriad, if you like being out of doors, but they do vary from island to island. The Cuillin mountains on Skye are stunning, both to look at and to climb; but you wouldn't go to Tiree for hills- there aren't any. there are stunning beaches and great surfing and windsurfing and the highest sunshine count in the UK; whereas it rains a lot on Skye. ( Could there be a connection?) <BR> <BR>Islay has distlleries and birds and ancient remains and history. <BR> <BR>Jura has deer and three crackin' mountains. <BR>Oransay has a mediaeval Priory, beaches and not much else. <BR>Colonsay has a hotel, beaches, Colonsay house and its gardens, a book shop, nice low hills and Oransay. <BR>Tiree has beaches and machair and birds and is sufficiently remote to be very like it always was. <BR>Iona is the cradle of Christainity in Scotland and has the abbey and beaches and a lot of mediaeval carving including a stunning Celtic cross. <BR> <BR>Mull has beautiful villages and a very big mountain, good cheese and sailing, good shops, diving,tremendous walks, birds. <BR> <BR>Skye has all of the above plus the Cuillin which have to be seen to be believed and it has history and castles and clans and ferry links to the outer Isles ( I have a friend who says that a Caledonain MacBrayne Ferry is the most romantic thing in the world) <BR> <BR>The outer Isles have beaches and machair and birds and people who speak Gaelic in the pub and fishing and a horrible RAF base and nice pubs. <BR> <BR>And they've all got great scenery. <BR> <BR>Take rain gear. <BR> <BR>Do anything you want (I think) <BR> <BR>The easiest way to get there is to fly- to Islay- to Benbecula ( which is linked to N and S Uist and Berneray) to Barra, to Tiree, to Stornoway. The most romantic is to take the train to Fort William, or Oban or Kyle of Lochalsh ( depending on which island you are aiming for) and then get the ferry. <BR> <BR>Look at www.hebrides.com or www.islay.com for more information. <BR> <BR>I posted about my week in the Inner Hebrides 10 days or so ago. <BR> <BR>Do come back if you have more specific queries. I can probably help.

Sorry, that last web site is www.islay.co.uk.

We went to Skye last Sept. and really enjoyed it. We had rented a car in EDI and drove to Skye. It is very "simple" (I don't mean that to sound derogatory) and restful there compared to the ratrace area I come from(Boston). You really get a chance to appreciate an area without having to worry about traffic jams, whose cutting you off on the roadway,etc. If you like a relaxing spot Skye would be the place in all its beauty. I didn't go to any of the other islands.

A friend and I spent two fabulous weeks in the Outer Hebrides just over a year ago. As someone else mentioned it truly is magical! <BR> <BR>We started in Lewis and worked our way down to Barra. While it was difficult sometimes to find places to eat, all of the B&B's we stayed at were fine, there was one that I wish I could remember the name of that was wonderful. Prices are fairly steep but it is definitely worth it. <BR>You feel like you are at the end of the world in places no one has discovered yet. Some of the beaches are so white and the sea so green you would think you were in the Caribbean. <BR> <BR>I loved it and I would go back if I had the chance. <BR> <BR>One of the most fun things we did was go out on the Postbus around Barra with the postman to do his deliveries. Sounds kind of strange but you just can't do that back here in Toronto. <BR> <BR>Cheryl

Chris, My wife and I spent time island hopping up there a couple of weeks ago. We enjoyed the outer Hebrides the most. As some other posters here have said they were truly magical and in my view well worth the visit. <BR>We drove around up there which gave us the freedom to move at our own pace. <BR>

That was wishfull thinking...it was a couple of years ago!!!

In reply to anyone thinking about the western Isles (Outer Hebrides), I live on the Isle of Lewis and would be happy to help with suggestions if you e-mail me directly. <BR>Chris there is a small tour visiting the chain of Western Isles which departs from Glasgow. You can find it at www.hebrides.com/busi/out&about <BR>Cheryl and David I'm glad you have such fond memories <BR>