Western Isles/Hebrides

Going back to Gigha at the end of September! Love that place with a passion!

MarelliTwinkleToes so does Her Majesty. Did you know that she has picnicked on one of the more secluded beaches? Long time ago, I believe.

If we're still in residence, you must call in. I shall bake a cake

soop, one of the summers (about 7 years ago) that we were there, R, who used to run the Post Office/shop over on the island, was 'hired' as HM's chauffeur whilst she was having her picnics at the North End of Gigha, her ship being anchored in Gigha Sound. We'd just been in the shop for an ice-cream, when R drove past in his Land Rover - which slowed down and HM waved to us ! It hadn't actually registered with me who was waving so I must have been gawping a bit vacantly, ice-cream half-way to mouth when Liz was waving...! My friend's dog had wound her lead around my friend's ankle, and was being berated loudly by friend's DH.....and knowing him, there would have been a few swear words sprinkled in as well.
At the moment the shop isn't open on Gigha, but hopefully it'll all be up and running again when we go....otherwise we have to go to the hotel for all the gossip !

Susie, I love Ardnamurchan Point. Great for Whale and seabird watching - a lot of people can't see the point of Ardnamurchan!!! but I do. Beautiful sea cliff flora too

If you go onto you tube there are several nice musical tours around the islands, worth a look.

Really flower? All i saw was the sea.....cafe not even open for a cuppa on the easter weekend ! I thought most of the area was beautiful, and loved the bit where the hill drops steeply into the valley by the cove - stunning

MarelliTwinkleToes...what a lovely story. I can just imagine the scene. Today, the weather is PERFECT. We passed the turn off to the Gigha ferry about an hour ago.

An hour ago I was stuck in traffic.The road was closed for roadworks and no help given with a diversion.Oh for the Western Isles.

soop, if you're still in residence (though I hope you've been able to sell by then) I'd love to pop in - with or without cake! We're going to come off the island for one day, so we can walk the beach at Southend, and have lunch at Muneroy! I'd better make sure you're still there - can't go demanding tea and cake from a stranger!

Hebrides fans who also have a Kindle - look what I found, a 'A passionate, off-beat love story set on the bleak and beautiful island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides' £1.99 e-book: www.amazon.co.uk/EMOTIONAL-GEOLOGY-ebook/dp/B0055T357G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1366396498&sr=8-5&keywords=linda+gillard Whoop de doo my reading is sorted.

Gorki, last year while on Grimsay there was a hole being dug by the side of the road next to it was a DIVERSION sign! I suppose they have to use signs issued somewhere. I absolutely love the islands.

Sorry Susie, I am surprised that the cafe was closed. Strange as it was Easter weekend. I agree stunning views and bays.

That sort of diversion I can cope with !

Hello Grannyknot. Sorry to be so long in posting. Unfortunately, as expected we arrived at Ullapool at the start of gales, lots of ferries cancelled, etc. So we hung around Lochinver for a couple of days. (Clachtoll Beach campsite) wild and windy. Weather getting worse so we decided to put plan B into action and headed up north. Up to Durness - what an amazing drive - like being on the moon and very atmospheric. Stayed at cliff top site at Durness with views onto seascape to die for (but so windy). Across to John o'Groats and down east coast and into Trossochs. Then home. Learnt lots about the clearances in museums and clearance trails on way.

We wish our plan B was The Orkneys as it looked as if you could hop across to them from John o'Groats and we learnt afterwards how easy it is there with motorhome and only 40 minute crossing. Time running out and still very blustery though.

I hope you have better luck when you go - there has been lots of interesting tips from other grans. I would be very interested to hear how you get on, as we still look forward to going another time. Hope you are enjoying the books, but I suspect you may have already finished them. I am nearly at the end of the Chessmen (borrowed from library) and another good read.

Hi Crissy thanks for the catch up, what a pity you could get to where you wanted to be! Oh dear for the gales and storms, we have been watching a documentary on the Hebrides (which we found on BBC Scotland on the "On Demand" telly channel) and of course the first episode we watched showed a frightening storm. I am used to tropical storms but not on an island!

We're all sorted with an itinerary and accommodation, so that's exciting, our first stop is Stornaway from Skye, then drive down to Harris then across by ferry to North Uist, then South Uist and then Barra. Then an adventure (for me, anyway because I find the open sea thrilling in a slightly scary way) as I gather we are doing a long stretch on the ferry from Barra all the way to Oban.

Thank you so much for the tip of the Peter May books, we have really enjoyed the first two, what good background reading for the trip. I will look for the Chessmen via the library. In between I found the Emotional Geology book that I wrote about earlier on in the thread which is set on Lewis and I am enjoying that too (it's a love story so husband rejected it). The trip up to Durness sounds excellent.

That should be "you couldn't get to where you wanted to be"...

Hello again Grannyknot, your itinerary sounds good. We found the Lonely Planet Guide to Scotland's Highlands and Islands indispensible, especially as we changed direction. A bit expensive, but well worth it as you can read up on all the little towns and villages as you are driving along.

I read Emotional Geology (or at least about half of it) a year or so ago. I'm with your OH on this, not enough history in it. Was drawn to it having an interest in geology!

Don't know when you are going, but hope the weather is good for you and hope to hear about your adventures.

I might start a thread about the Orkneys when I get round to it, as I really want to go there now, then maybe the Shetlands.

It sounds great. I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip. Only one caveat: don't go to Stornaway on Sunday. Everything is shut on a Sunday - even the public toilets! At least this is what we found a few years ago (2005) when we went on a cycle tour in that area.

Thanks again everyone. GG we arrive in Stornaway on a Saturday and will make sure we are stocked up for Sunday including with fuel. I found some really good websites, including this one: www.visithebrides.com/ (which I first read as Visit the Brides, because I've got weddings on the brain with 2 children planning weddings!

I have probably come to this conversation too late and what a great selection of places to visit. I agree with Mallaig and Morar but I was going to suggest The Isle of Iona which has already been mentioned but it is a magical island and one that you will want to return to if you ever go.

Wherever you end up, enjoy your trip and take your waterproofs and sun lotion as well.

Hi everyone, greetings from the out skirts of Uig in a cosy b & b as we await tomorrow's ferry crossing to Lewis. The weather is gorgeous, the views stupendous, the food delicious. And that's only Mallaig and Skye ticked off the list.

Speak soon! GK.

Green with envy !.Grannyknot Have a lovely time. So glad the weather is good for you. It makes a real difference.

Grannyknot, are you on an organised cruise, or doing your own thing? It sounds fantastic!