How long is the Outer Hebrides: Drive the Western Isles, Lewis to Barra route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 5 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis to Castlebay, Isle of Barra in Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September: book ferries months ahead in July.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Easy-going. Easy-going and accessible for most fitness levels.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Relaxed — plenty of time to linger at each stop.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Nature, Culture, Classic road trip.

Outer Hebrides: Drive the Western Isles, Lewis to Barra

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The route · 5 stops

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

2 nights

Capital of the Western Isles and the natural base for two nights on Lewis. Day trips reach the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones (30 min west), the restored Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, and Carloway Broch. The harbour front has a good range of cafes and supermarkets for stocking up.Capital of the Western Isles and the natural base for two nights on Lewis. Day trips reach the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones (30 min west), the restored Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, and Carloway Broch. The harbour front has a good range of cafes and supermarkets for stocking up.

Recommendations

45m · 54 km drive to Tarbert, Isle of Harris

Tarbert, Isle of Harris

2 nights

Harris holds some of Britain's most photographed beaches. Luskentyre and Seilebost are vast sweeps of white sand backed by dunes and turquoise water. The Golden Road along the east coast cuts through bare rock and hidden sea lochs. Tarbert is the route's most practical base, with the ferry connection to North Uist at Leverburgh nearby.Harris holds some of Britain's most photographed beaches. Luskentyre and Seilebost are vast sweeps of white sand backed by dunes and turquoise water. The Golden Road along the east coast cuts through bare rock and hidden sea lochs. Tarbert is the route's most practical base, with the ferry connection to North Uist at Leverburgh nearby.

Recommendations

43m · 52 km drive to Lochmaddy, North Uist

Lochmaddy, North Uist

1 night

The CalMac crossing from Leverburgh (Harris) to Berneray takes one hour, then causeways reach Lochmaddy. North Uist is a mosaic of lochs, machair and stone-age archaeology. Balranald RSPB Reserve on the west coast is one of Scotland's top corncrake sites in early summer.The CalMac crossing from Leverburgh (Harris) to Berneray takes one hour, then causeways reach Lochmaddy. North Uist is a mosaic of lochs, machair and stone-age archaeology. Balranald RSPB Reserve on the west coast is one of Scotland's top corncrake sites in early summer.

Recommendations

56m · 67 km drive to Lochboisdale, South Uist

Lochboisdale, South Uist

1 night

South Uist is reached by causeway from Benbecula. The west coast is 20 km of unbroken machair and beach. In summer the machair is carpeted in wildflowers: a habitat of European importance for breeding waders. Eriskay at the southern tip has a fine beach and the ferry connection to Barra.South Uist is reached by causeway from Benbecula. The west coast is 20 km of unbroken machair and beach. In summer the machair is carpeted in wildflowers: a habitat of European importance for breeding waders. Eriskay at the southern tip has a fine beach and the ferry connection to Barra.

Recommendations

26m · 31 km drive to Castlebay, Isle of Barra

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

2 nights

The 40-minute ferry from Eriskay arrives in Castlebay with a view of Kisimul Castle on its islet in the bay. Barra's ring road circles the island in under an hour, passing the Traigh Mhor cockle-strand beach where small planes land at low tide. The causeway south leads to Vatersay and its twin Atlantic beaches.The 40-minute ferry from Eriskay arrives in Castlebay with a view of Kisimul Castle on its islet in the bay. Barra's ring road circles the island in under an hour, passing the Traigh Mhor cockle-strand beach where small planes land at low tide. The causeway south leads to Vatersay and its twin Atlantic beaches.

Recommendations

Outer Hebrides: Drive the Western Isles, Lewis to Barra