Trail riding in the western Isles a non starter?

[squid]

Looking for somewhere a bit wild to do a camper van tour with a thumper for exploring.

I assume it would be a fairly wasted effort to go to Skye /Lewis etc?

 

[G.C.]

You cant take your bike off-road anywhere in the western Isles, they’ll lock you up man.

My rule is, if it isn’t locked or specifically signed (no motorised vehicles) then its fair game, within reason. Common sense and be considerate/courteous to anyone else that I meet never goes wrong.
Have fun

 

[squid]

So realistically, are you saying a few bikes would be OK to explore the islands taking in as much loose surfaces as tarmac?

Or would it be just the odd track we'd get away with riding down?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Just back from there yesterday. There are a lot of tracks that are just stone or sand anyway, specially on the lower islands like north and south Uist. Further up in Harris or Lewis, your a bit more restricted with the terrain as to where you can go as it either has a road or its literally granite and unridable. If you think you can ride it though then there isnt anything to stop you doing so, its Scotland so no trespass laws. As above be nice about it and mind out for walkers and the like and don't go cutting all the ground up. Leave it as you found it and nobody will care what your doing.

 

[squid]

Just back from there yesterday. There are a lot of tracks that are just stone or sand anyway, specially on the lower islands like north and south Uist. Further up in Harris or Lewis, your a bit more restricted with the terrain as to where you can go as it either has a road or its literally granite and unridable. If you think you can ride it though then there isnt anything to stop you doing so, its Scotland so no trespass laws. As above be nice about it and mind out for walkers and the like and don't go cutting all the ground up. Leave it as you found it and nobody will care what your doing.

Thanks, any pics?

So which Islands are best to visit for riding other than Uist?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

yes loads of pics, I am just sorting them out and I will have them up in a day or so. Basically as you go from Barra up the roads get more like the mainland. Lots of single track roads in both the Uist's. Barra isnt very large say 30 mins to drive right round dodling. South Uist probably has the most gravel and sand tracks along with the sights at the end of it. East Harris is tight narrow single track roads with no where else to go as its large granite rocks and mountains or cliffs at either side. West Harris is more like moorland with single track at the bottom leading to normal 2 lane road higher up. Its pretty boggy either side of the roads though so again not much scope for doing your own thing really. Lewis gets back to pretty much like the mainland road wise 2 lane roads. Its more agricultural though so the fields are fenced off more. There is a bit of scope for some trail riding though. If you only wanted to go for one ferry then I would definitely recommend you get the Oban to Loch Boisdale and have fun on the west coast of South Uist. As far as the camper van part goes it seems to be just pick a bit off the road and make camp. There were camper vans all over the Uist's and Barra just parked up. Very cheap holiday if you do it that way.

 

[squid]

yes loads of pics, I am just sorting them out and I will have them up in a day or so. Basically as you go from Barra .....

Many thanks for the info, it's likey to be either November now or May

 

[G.C.]

Many thanks for the info, it's likey to be either November now or May

Late May or Early June, no brainer

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Yes I would agree, dont go in November. You might be lucky but you probably wont be. Links to pics are here http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238833

 

[Macfie]

Just back from there yesterday. There are a lot of tracks that are just stone or sand anyway, specially on the lower islands like north and south Uist. Further up in Harris or Lewis, your a bit more restricted with the terrain as to where you can go as it either has a road or its literally granite and unridable. If you think you can ride it though then there isnt anything to stop you doing so, its Scotland so no trespass laws. As above be nice about it and mind out for walkers and the like and don't go cutting all the ground up. Leave it as you found it and nobody will care what your doing.

There may be no tresspass laws but bare in mind it is illegal to ride/drive a motorised vehicle more than 15 metres off the road in Scotland unless you have permission of the landowner. Access rights do not apply to motorised vehicles. You might get away with a gentle run on some of the tracks if you are courteous. Common sense applies, try not to get bikers a bad reputation. Ripping up the machair will have you in front of a firing squad the next morning, quite rightly so. Much of the land in the Uists is environmentaly sensitive.

 

[G.C.]

Is it 15 mtrs, I didn’t know that! I was aware that the access was restricted and that the laws are complicated. Its difficult to find a definitive answer over access rights, I don’t think there is one.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above advice regarding leaving things as you find them/ not ripping up the Machair, using common sense and good manners have always served me well.

I’ve used my water Bailiffs card once.

 

[Macfie]

Is it 15 mtrs, I didn’t know that! I was aware that the access was restricted and that the laws are complicated. Its difficult to find a definitive answer over access rights, I don’t think there is one.
I wholeheartedly agree with the above advice regarding leaving things as you find them/ not ripping up the Machair, using common sense and good manners have always served me well.

Me too... although there was that time my common sense failed, when I tried to ride the tidal track over Traigh Bhalaigh in N Uist on my 1100R, and very quickly got stuck!

 

[rml]

I think the 15 yard thing is only for... "No offence is committed, however,
where a person drives within 15 yards of a public road for the purpose of parking"

I've never had an issue wild camping. Riding depends where you are
judge it as you find it but....

+1 on the Machair and common sense comments. Lived on Tiree back in
the day and no issue as long as you were sensible. A few years ago now
so may have changed.

cheers
rml

 

[rce]

On Western Isles probably best not goin' off road on a Sunday, they are VERY religious and frown on any activity.