Isle of Harris and Lewis

I've known some wild sea crossings but this was, probably, the wildest of them all. Thursday night it sounded as if the roof of the guest house we were staying on was going to be ripped off the wind was so ferocious.

Oh thank you Bulbaholic for this brilliant blog ~ thank you SO much. i love to hear anything about these islands and to see it all again is such a treat.

whats even better is that you went to places that i havent managed to go to yet ~ i missed out on the blackhouses ~ what a shame they are not so authentic but i agree, lovely to see the tweed being made; i still havent been to the butt of lewis nor lews castle ~ love the waterfall.

great to see the riggs in your photo; that lighthouse being covered in spray and the ferry with waves over the decks would really scare me but i love to watch the awesome power of the waves [hopefully from a secure place on land]

thank you again ~ i really loved reading your blog and appreciate every photo! i found another good book recently that you may like 'Seasons on Harris' by David Yeadon.

Wow! Impressive and Wow again, amazing scenery and so so isolated those pictures are wonderful - thank you for a brilliant blog, how on earth did they cope living in those houses. We are all spoiled rotten these days - life is so different to how they lived. I would have been terrified of that journey, hope it wasn't as windy for you coming back home.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
Brought back memories when I cycled the length of these islands from Tarbert to Lochboisdale via Berneray.
The grandson of the lady I stayed with on Berneray had a shock when I told him " I know you. I have seen you on television in London !" It was a news item when the children at the school were told Prince Charles was going to visit them. This boy was so excited he jumped up. I remembered his face.
Had chosen to go north - south, met lots of other cyclists having a rough ride going the other way. The treeless landscape was a shock to me. Often passed people sitting on the side of the road outside their crofts waiting for the shop-bus. Saw tons of Peat cut in blocks stacked up, drying for the winter fires.
Thanks for Sticki's web address.

I thoroughly enjoyed that Bulba. Sorry to hear of your rather rocky crossing!! I'm pleased to see that MG got you home safe and sound too....you weren't too feird were you?
:)))))
Way back in my ancestory - part of my family moved from Lanarkshire to Gress Farm on the Isle of Lewis.
Thanks for sharing :)

Great blog! Probably won't ever go there, so lovely to see - and learn - what goes on in another part of the world. :o)

I knew the Postmen in that part of Scotland are good contacts for B&B. They even know which lady already has a guest. I was amazed to see the Gannets diving into the sea for fish on the ferry journey over to Berneray Island.
On arrival I went to the bungalow which had advertised B&B. The woman took one look at this cyclist, and said
"No".
So I rode up the one street, looking for the Postman. He appeared. Said "Annie will put you up for the night." and told me the number of her house.
She is the mother of the Postmistress, so thats the contact address, the Post Office.
There were free ranging chickens around her door. She said there was a bed if I didnt mind eggs for supper and eggs for breakfast.
It was a comfortable double bed. I would recommend her to Sticki or any other Goyers if they go up that way.
I kept in touch with Annie. Two years later she wrote that Duncan (whom I saw on T/V) was 14 and was driving the tractor up on the machair !

Thanks Diane! I think at one time the post bus was also the local bus for islanders, an excellent and very necessary service!

Great reading other peoples experiences of the isles, I am enjoying this.
Thank you all

Another interesting thing I was told when up there.
The best Policemans' job in the UK is on Skye.
There is never any crime, because on these Islands the people are controlled by their Priests.
So the Policeman on Skye spends all his time directing the tourists !
I cycled by a Golf Course one day. There was a huge noticeboard stating ' The playing of Golf on this Course is not allowed on Sundays.'
Must have been meant for the tourists.
Also saw hills with notices ' In the event of icy conditions this road is not gritted on Sundays.'
Very strict they are up there. Very strict.

No golf is allowed on harris or lewis on sundays either and when you are allowed to play you pay by honesty box if no one is in attendance!

There are also signs part way along some of the roads stating that "Te road is not gritted beyond this point" Mind you, the roads on Lewis and Harris are MILES better than the roads on Mull!

Lewis and Harris have had money from the EU, including a lot of money for 'the golden road' down the east coast bays, so named because it cost so much!!!

the roads are miles better than Islay too!!

This was so very interesting and beautifully illustrated. Really enjoyed it, many thanks.

Lovely blog Bulba. Very evocative for visits we took to the islands of Scotland many long years ago. We landed on Skye in Skye Week, unintentionally, and had a wonderful time. The celeidhs( spelling) were fantastic and the games day a real joy. Long before H&S, the sportsmen, some of them, were well lubricated. So many muscles and kilts and the lairds in procession before the games started. Everyone had a splendid time. All the way along we saw pipers standing looking out across that marvellous scenery, piping away, practising for perhaps a piping contest.

Still pretty much the same, Dorjac, (except there is now a bridge rather than a ferry) haste ye back.
And thank you to the everyone else who enjoyed the blog; the writing was nearly as enjoyable as the trip.

and the reading of the blog was extremely enjoyable too, many thanks bulbaholic, very much appreciated

How Wonderful. The Place Looks Beautiful. And all The Information Is great. I Have Been To Scotland. And Absolutely Loved it.