New lurker-turned-member from SE London

[Schronker]

Hi all, having bought an Ocean about six weeks ago (and having just returned from our first proper week of touring), thought I’d make the transition from lurker to member.

Based in South East London, so weekend trips are generally Kent/Sussex but much prefer getting out and about up North and planning two weeks in the Hebrides in the Ocean in late August. Hello!

 

[Karlos]

Pics of your Cali please.

 

[Wiggs]

Hi all, having bought an Ocean about six weeks ago (and having just returned from our first proper week of touring), thought I’d make the transition from lurker to member.

Based in South East London, so weekend trips are generally Kent/Sussex but much prefer getting out and about up North and planning two weeks in the Hebrides in the Ocean in late August. Hello!

Hi, just got back from the Hebridies - Barra, South Uist & North Uist, If you're headed that way, let me know & I'll share my tips/thoughts

 

[Graham T]

 

[Schronker]

Hi, just got back from the Hebridies - Barra, South Uist & North Uist, If you're headed that way, let me know & I'll share my tips/thoughts

Yes please! Have booked the ferries and a few sites, Barra to Stornoway, taking about two weeks.

 

[Wiggs]

Yes please! Have booked the ferries and a few sites, Barra to Stornoway, taking about two weeks.

We stayed in the following campsites;

Barra - Borve - great facilities, beautiful location, Alan the owner really lovely guy.
South Uist - Kilbride Campsite - great facilities, beautiful location, nice cafe on site.
North Uist - Balranald Campsite - great facilities, incredible location - in the middle of a bird sanctuary with a stunning beach nearby, excellent cafe (Bacon & Scallop rolls OMG!!!). Great staff - Dave was awesome!

If you enjoy hiking, these books were excellent & really helpful:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1907025332/?tag=eliteelect-21

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1852846607/?tag=eliteelect-21​

Places to visit/eat:

Barra Gin Distillery - in Castlebay
North Uist Gin Distillery - check out their Instagra for their pop-up shop
Seafood Shop & Cafe: https://www.namaraseafoods.co.uk/
Nice Restaurant in South Uist: https://www.polocharinn.com/
Good Butchers/Bakers: MacLean's Bakery, Benbecula
Incredible bakery (a lady who bakes stuff at her house) on South Uist: https://www.uistscandibakery.com/bakery.html
Good Indian Barra: https://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/

Also watch the film 'Whiskey Galore' (the original version) - it links to a lot of the history of Barra and South Uist and is quite entertaining too! Then get a pint at the AM Politician on Eriskay and check out the original bottles etc that have been 'rescued'

 

[AlisonF]

Welcome. Looking forward to some pics.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

We stayed in the following campsites;

Barra - Borve - great facilities, beautiful location, Alan the owner really lovely guy.
South Uist - Kilbride Campsite - great facilities, beautiful location, nice cafe on site.
North Uist - Balranald Campsite - great facilities, incredible location - in the middle of a bird sanctuary with a stunning beach nearby, excellent cafe (Bacon & Scallop rolls OMG!!!). Great staff - Dave was awesome!

If you enjoy hiking, these books were excellent & really helpful:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1907025332/?tag=eliteelect-21

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1852846607/?tag=eliteelect-21​

Places to visit/eat:

Barra Gin Distillery - in Castlebay
North Uist Gin Distillery - check out their Instagra for their pop-up shop
Seafood Shop & Cafe: https://www.namaraseafoods.co.uk/
Nice Restaurant in South Uist: https://www.polocharinn.com/
Good Butchers/Bakers: MacLean's Bakery, Benbecula
Incredible bakery (a lady who bakes stuff at her house) on South Uist: https://www.uistscandibakery.com/bakery.html
Good Indian Barra: https://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/

Also watch the film 'Whiskey Galore' (the original version) - it links to a lot of the history of Barra and South Uist and is quite entertaining too! Then get a pint at the AM Politician on Eriskay and check out the original bottles etc that have been 'rescued'

Thanks for the info’ @Wiggs, like @Schronker we’re also off the the Outer Hebrides later this year. All booked up and am pleased to say we’re staying at all of the campsites you’ve recommended

 

[Schronker]

Thanks for this @Wiggs - grand advice. Sounds like I’m trading in craft beer for craft gin this summer (not that I’m complaining!) Have got Balranald booked - have a few others elsewhere - will compare notes on the other side. & see you up there maybe @GrumpyGranddad

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Thanks for this @Wiggs - grand advice. Sounds like I’m trading in craft beer for craft gin this summer (not that I’m complaining!) Have got Balranald booked - have a few others elsewhere - will compare notes on the other side. & see you up there maybe @GrumpyGranddad

Only if you’re still there in September

 

[Wiggs]

Thanks for this @Wiggs - grand advice. Sounds like I’m trading in craft beer for craft gin this summer (not that I’m complaining!) Have got Balranald booked - have a few others elsewhere - will compare notes on the other side. & see you up there maybe @GrumpyGranddad

Aye, with that in mind - final bit of advice: definitely bring your own beer, unless you like Tennents!

 

[Intrinseca63]

We stayed in the following campsites;

Barra - Borve - great facilities, beautiful location, Alan the owner really lovely guy.
South Uist - Kilbride Campsite - great facilities, beautiful location, nice cafe on site.
North Uist - Balranald Campsite - great facilities, incredible location - in the middle of a bird sanctuary with a stunning beach nearby, excellent cafe (Bacon & Scallop rolls OMG!!!). Great staff - Dave was awesome!

If you enjoy hiking, these books were excellent & really helpful:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1907025332/?tag=eliteelect-21

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1852846607/?tag=eliteelect-21​

Places to visit/eat:

Barra Gin Distillery - in Castlebay
North Uist Gin Distillery - check out their Instagra for their pop-up shop
Seafood Shop & Cafe: https://www.namaraseafoods.co.uk/
Nice Restaurant in South Uist: https://www.polocharinn.com/
Good Butchers/Bakers: MacLean's Bakery, Benbecula
Incredible bakery (a lady who bakes stuff at her house) on South Uist: https://www.uistscandibakery.com/bakery.html
Good Indian Barra: https://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/

Also watch the film 'Whiskey Galore' (the original version) - it links to a lot of the history of Barra and South Uist and is quite entertaining too! Then get a pint at the AM Politician on Eriskay and check out the original bottles etc that have been 'rescued'

Great tips thanks - I’d like to go but midges and mosquitoes would spoil it- when would you recommend is the best time to visit?

 

[Wiggs]

Great tips thanks - I’d like to go but midges and mosquitoes would spoil it- when would you recommend is the best time to visit?

We really didn't have any problems with them on the islands, as there was always at least a mild breeze. From what people told me, they really aren't much of an issue if you stay on the west coast of the islands due to the coastal exposure. We were there early June for two weeks.

I got savaged by midges in Oban, where we stayed mainland coast prior to getting the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

 

[Anthony1]

Hi, just got back from the Hebridies - Barra, South Uist & North Uist, If you're headed that way, let me know & I'll share my tips/thoughts

I did the NC500, the other way round in May and I was considering the Outer Hebrides but it was getting complicated with PCR tests, booked campsites, booked ferry etc.

How did you find it and di you have to do all the PCR tests etc?

 

[Schronker]

I did the NC500, the other way round in May and I was considering the Outer Hebrides but it was getting complicated with PCR tests, booked campsites, booked ferry etc.

How did you find it and di you have to do all the PCR tests etc?

The local advice at the moment is to take an LFT - those are the ones you can order online from the NHS for free. You only need a PCR if you receive a positive LFT or develop symptoms.

I’m doing weekly PCRs at work at the moment (I work for a hospice) and, certainly locally, they’re coming back the next day as a rule. Scotland’s asking you to take a LFT three days before travel so the window should be long enough to rule out a false positive.


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[Anthony1]

Thank you

The local advice at the moment is to take an LFT - those are the ones you can order online from the NHS for free. You only need a PCR if you receive a positive LFT or develop symptoms.

I’m doing weekly PCRs at work at the moment (I work for a hospice) and, certainly locally, they’re coming back the next day as a rule. Scotland’s asking you to take a LFT three days before travel so the window should be long enough to rule out a false positive.


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Thank you. The thing with the LFT, it could be abybody's if you are asked to show the result. What about booking a campsite? Did you have to do that and did you have to book the ferry or just turn up. Finally, where did you take the ferry from to?

 

[Schronker]

Thank you

Thank you. The thing with the LFT, it could be abybody's if you are asked to show the result. What about booking a campsite? Did you have to do that and did you have to book the ferry or just turn up. Finally, where did you take the ferry from to?

I think that’s the issue with LFTs more generally to be honest..

I haven’t travelled yet - am going in a few weeks. The Western Isles council does seem to be requesting that you book ferries and campsites - have booked mine up (Calmac do Hopscotch combination tickets for common routes). Still availability but there were a few days that needed a bit of Tetris-playing to fit things in, so would book sooner than later if you’re going.


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[Wiggs]

Thank you

Thank you. The thing with the LFT, it could be abybody's if you are asked to show the result. What about booking a campsite? Did you have to do that and did you have to book the ferry or just turn up. Finally, where did you take the ferry from to?

Hi, there weren't any requirements to take tests in order to book campsites when we went. Just the standard social distancing protocols and masks etc.

 

[Intrinseca63]

We really didn't have any problems with them on the islands, as there was always at least a mild breeze. From what people told me, they really aren't much of an issue if you stay on the west coast of the islands due to the coastal exposure. We were there early June for two weeks.

I got savaged by midges in Oban, where we stayed mainland coast prior to getting the ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

Thanks