South Uist Benbecula Eriskay and Barra

We set off from Carinish on North Uist for the drive south to the Eriskay Ferry Terminal ( rather a grand title) on Tuesday morning September 15th. It was a overcast day  but we got good views  towards the mountains which run like a spine down the centre of South Uist


We took a detour of about 8 miles each way down Memory Lane to Loch Skipport on the east coast. 40 years ago in May we came here with the boys then age 10 and 8 and a couple of friends, to backpack over the hill to the Usinish Mountain Bothy. We camped at Loch  Skipport the night before we set off. This was a real adventure for us. I had made fleeces and rucksacks for the boys and we calculated how much they would be able to carry. There was no kids decent walking equipment then and fleece was a very new fabric! The weather was fantastic and we had a fun couple of days over there before walking out and camping on the beach on Benbecula ( with the land owners permission)
There was a chap camping down there this time too in a very sophisticated off road trailer tent set up.  I think that the then derelict pier has deteriorated in the past 40 years! 

We met some ponies on the way in and out and saw three eagles, probably Golden. 
Then it was time to keep driving to catch the 1.0pm ferry. We crossed to the tiny island of Eriskay via a mile long very well constructed two lane causeway. Most if the roads on these islands are single track with passing places. 
The ferry terminal was a delightful wood building reminiscent of  Scandinavia. 


Eriskay beach on a busy day


And the ferry was waiting. Think they have their lunch break here. 

The crossing to Barra took 45 minutes and Barra welcomed us with sunshine!! 20 minutes later we were at the campsite overlooking a beautiful bay and back north to the islands 



52 miles driven


Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 17, 2020 at 8:09 PM

    Brilliant. I'm getting more and more jealous 🙂🤣 enjoy.

    ReplyDelete

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