Isle of Barra and Western Isles 25th May-4th June!

[Farmer Palmer]

Myself and Mrs P are heading up to Barra from Oban on the 25th May on the HP2E and F650GSFL!

We'll then hopefully spend a midge and rain free week and a half in the Western Isles camping, eating good food and drinking good whisky before returning home from Ullapool via Gairloch, Bealach na ba and hopefully Skye etc.

Anyone have any ideas on places to visit that might not be in the 'Rough Guide' to the Western Isles?

Being a Neil of MacNeil Barra is my families 'ancestral home' so we're looking forward to having a look round the old croft etc although I must say i'm just a wee bit dissapointed that everyone i've spoken to up there so far when organising accomadation etc have hailed from south of the border...........! Hopefully there will be a few locals about for the 'crack'

Any advice appreciated.

FP.

 

[Hebby]

Hi FP

I'll get my pal on Barra onto it and get you some natives to look after you.

If in Harris, the Ardhasaig House Hotel does exceptional food and accommodation but a bit pricey mind. The Motel on Tarbert Pier is good for food and a Ceilidh wi trad music.

 

[G.C.]

F650FL

Like this one ?

Great bike Made for the Indian Police but they didnt take them all.

Sorry cant help with much Western Isles info. The Dark Island on Benbeccula is very expensive now, so I would avoid there. Looking forward to finding out how you get on as Im planning a similar trip as soon as the schools break up.

 

[Mr K]

Tarbert!

The Isle of Harris Inn, Bar and Restaurant.

www.isleofharrisinn.co.uk.

Not been but Stornaway is a real ale desert.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Like this one ?

Great bike Made for the Indian Police but they didnt take them all.

Sorry cant help with much Western Isles info. The Dark Island on Benbeccula is very expensive now, so I would avoid there. Looking forward to finding out how you get on as Im planning a similar trip as soon as the schools break up.

Used to have a couple like that but earlier Funduros, both P reg 96's a white one then one the colour of 'baby sick' a few years later....!

Mrs Ps is an 05 Black GS twinspark 'factory lowered' as she's only five foot tall. Her bike came from the 'Isle of Skye'!

I've got an 06 Red F650GS twinspark but with a taller Dakar seat and screen aswell as spare plastics for offroading etc. I use it mainly as a second bike.

Both bikes are fitted with Touratech Zega panniers and racks and mine has a Givi topbox aswell and the fantastic sounding Scorpion can. Mrs Ps has crashbars and a Touratech foglamp aswell as still being restricted to 33bhp but that doesn't make much difference unless you redline it! They are both great bikes and very underrated.

I would have taken my F650GS to the Western Isles but i'm afraid i'll be taking the HP2 instead!(what a bummer)

FP.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Tarbert!

The Isle of Harris Inn, Bar and Restaurant.

www.isleofharrisinn.co.uk.

Not been but Stornaway is a real ale desert.

Hi Chris,

I read your trip report, the photos and weather were fantastic.........!

Can't see us being as lucky though so i'm sure it'll be storm pegging the tent in 50mph winds and driving rain(it'll be as rough as Forry's GS)........!

I'll look forward to checking out the Isle of Harris Inn when we're there.

FP.

 

[Boon]

We will be in lewis/harris/skye the week before you .....I'll try not to drink all the beer.

My wee mate is a Currie from Barra........likes to fish and drinks like one too.....good craic though.

 

[Deleted account rno]

My mate's a handyman on Barra.




Barra Handy

 

[Voyager]

I've got an 06 Red F650GS twinspark but with a taller Dakar seat and screen aswell as spare plastics for offroading etc. I use it mainly as a second bike.

I would have taken my F650GS to the Western Isles but i'm afraid i'll be taking the HP2 instead!(what a bummer)

FP.

Don't tell me you've got rid of the "Black Dog" (or was it the "White Dog" after the beak change ).

Bob.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Don't tell me you've got rid of the "Black Dog" (or was it the "White Dog" after the beak change ).

Bob.

The black Dog has gone but it's not forgotten! Traded it in against an HP2 Enduro in September 2007 which I rode up to Norway's Arctic Circle and Sweden last may with Mrs P on her F650GS. I bought the HP2 to ride in Iceland and Norway/Sweden but it's not so easy getting there by ferry anymore.

I nearly sold the HP2 a few weeks back as it wasn't really being used much, I was going to get a new 1200ADV instead but I'm glad I didn't.......!

The HP2 is kitted out for 'rough road' touring so i'm looking forward to the 'wee' roads on the Western Isles.

FP.

 

[Hebby]

Myself and Mrs P are heading up to Barra from Oban on the 25th May on the HP2E and F650GSFL!

We'll then hopefully spend a midge and rain free week and a half in the Western Isles camping, eating good food and drinking good whisky before returning home from Ullapool via Gairloch, Bealach na ba and hopefully Skye etc.

Anyone have any ideas on places to visit that might not be in the 'Rough Guide' to the Western Isles?

Being a Neil of MacNeil Barra is my families 'ancestral home' so we're looking forward to having a look round the old croft etc although I must say i'm just a wee bit dissapointed that everyone i've spoken to up there so far when organising accomadation etc have hailed from south of the border...........! Hopefully there will be a few locals about for the 'crack'

Any advice appreciated.

FP.

Hi FP

Annie & Ronnie Macneil, Castlebay, Barra have a good name. Details undernoted.
Grianamul Bed and Breakfast
Castlebay, Isle of Barra, Western Isles, HS9 5XD
Phone: +44 (0)1871 810416

The Harris Inn is ok but you rarely get locals there....they mostly go to the Motel on the Pier. Food in both places is decent though and both are owned and run by locals.

As I said, If you wanted a really good "special occasion" meal, Arhasaig House Hotel is brill. I stay in a lot of hotels world wide,and its amongst the best i've ever been in.

I come from Harris and roads to the sands on the West side are good. Lovely beaches up at Husinish and the "Golden Road on the East side is thru a lunar landscape but fantastic bike roads.

On lewis, take a run down to Lochs, take in Great Bernara, Callanish and up to Port of Ness. You'll have a great trip.

Hebby

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Barra handy? I'm muckin oot the kye!

Thanks Hebby,

I've just sent the cheque off for the Dunard hostel for the first night!

I'm looking forward to check out the rest of your places though, we have camping gear and it would be great to rough camp if the weather is good.

I flew over Toastadh not so long ago and could see a crescent shaped beach which looked nice and i've always wanted to go there aswell to see what it's like on the ground.

I know a sheep breeder on Skye from 'The Braes' and usually bump into him at the 'blackie tup sales' at Dalmally or Fort William, we also need to go to Tallisker to refill my leather bound bottle of whisky from Finland(long story)!

FP.

 

[gas boy]

I'll be in Applecross over the weekend - mainly propping up the bar

Call in and have a beer

 

[Hebby]

Thanks Hebby,

I've just sent the cheque off for the Dunard hostel for the first night!

I'm looking forward to check out the rest of your places though, we have camping gear and it would be great to rough camp if the weather is good.

I flew over Toastadh not so long ago and could see a crescent shaped beach which looked nice and i've always wanted to go there aswell to see what it's like on the ground.

I know a sheep breeder on Skye from 'The Braes' and usually bump into him at the 'blackie tup sales' at Dalmally or Fort William, we also need to go to Tallisker to refill my leather bound bottle of whisky from Finland(long story)!

FP.

Good luck. May the force be with you.