Outer Hebrides trip – Accommodation

Day 0 – Aultguish Inn, Ullapool

I booked a single room with ensuite with breakfast. The rooms are spacious and clean and the bathroom was stocked with a great range of amenities.

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Breakfast was buffet style with both hot and cold options.

Day 1 – Bayhead Bridge Centre, Stornaway

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Student accommodation, came with towels and bedding – but did not come with hand soap. The bed was comfy and I had a wonderful sleep and the shower pressure was great.

Day 2/3 – Callanish camping pods, Isle of Lewis

Not the most comfiest of sleeps as it’s a camp bed, but does the job, and waking up to the views over the loch was amazing.

Day 4 – camping at Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris

I was a bit apprehensive about this as I’ve never camped by myself before and have never wild camped in the UK. There were a few other campers scattered about, but I managed to find a small spot (not on the machair) to set up my tent, obviously a key factor was somewhere unseen from the other campers for a sneaky midnight wee.

Day 5 -8 – Horgabost Campsite, Isle of Harris

When I arrived, someone was camped in my spot, but after borrowing another campers phone (no reception) the manager directed me to an even better spot on top of a hill. There was a bit of wind one night, but overall a comfortable stay. The toilet/shower block were a bit on the questionable side (the joys of being close to the beach), but they were cleaned often. The showers are £1 and last for around 10 minutes.

Day 9 – Lochmaddy Hotel, North Uist

This was an emergency stop as I was supposed to be camping on Berneray. However, 40mile winds put a stop to that idea. Luckily the hotel had a double room available that came with a bath! I don’t have a bath at home in Glasgow so I always make the most of it when I can!

Breakfast is included in the price and dinner is relatively cheap for the massive plates you get! There was some confusion with dietary needs and what was available – but it was a new waiter so he didn’t do too badly overall.

Day 10-12 – Moorcroft Holidays, North Uist

This place is amazing! I stayed in one of the Hobbit huts, the one down closest to the loch which was a bit more private than the other two. The bed is a pull out sofa with a thin mattress. As I was the only one, I used both yoga mats provided and both mattresses and that helped with not being able to feel the wooden slats of the frame. The hut came equipped with a fridge, a heater and a kettle as well as cutlery, crockery and a few bits and bobs for tea and coffee.

The site has a kitchen and laundry available for guests – laundry has an honesty jar – and the bathrooms are spectacularly clean.

Day 13 – camping at Aird, Benbecula

Another night of wild camping. I did find it a bit hard finding somewhere on Benbecula, mainly because I didn’t want to be near anyone. There’s a lovely little picnic spot at the end of the road and I did see signs for the Hebridean Way so I’m sure it’s a popular site for camping.

Day 14 – 15 – Uist Stormpods, South Uist

These glamping pods are amazing. Built into the landscape, the insulation is amazing and the view over the water.

Mine came with a bunk bed and a pull out double sofa, a small basic kitchenette with a kettle, sink and microwave as well as a small ensuite with a shower and camping toilet.

Day 16 – camping at Eriskay Beach, Eriskay

This was probably one of the worst nights I had. First I was majorly attacked by the midges in the early evening and then it was freezing overnight. Afterwards I did realise this is probably because I pitched the tent quite close to the edge and it wasn’t sheltered on any side to stop the wind.

Day 17 – 20 – Croit na h-Aibhne BNB, Isle of Barra

I forgot to take a photo of the room and ensuite, but the facilities were grand. It was a huge room with a massive bed, and the ensuite had a double shower and bidet (still not sure how to use that though). Unfortunately the lounge was closed for socialising, but open for meals. The breakfasts provided were filling and there was always the offer for more. The host was clued up on cross contamination and we even got lunch bags made up for our leaving day!