Hi Stewart, I’m cycling the route this year. Can I ask if you had to carry much food in the Hebrides or is there plenty of places to purchase some? Also your route back via Ullapool - Inverness would you recommend it? I’m torn between this route or Uig to Kyle of Localsh as I’m reading both routes are a bit treacherous with fast traffic. My other option would be to return back to the start and get the ferry back to Oban. Great video and thanks for sharing. Carl
Hi Carl, thanks for the kind comments. With hindsight I probably took too much food as there are plenty of cafes and Co-Op supermarkets dotted about the place. Just watch opening/closing times. And if on the northern isles on a Sunday you’ll need to plan that. I found a cafe near Leverburgh. Less supermarkets on west coast of Lewis but good cafe stops. I can recommend this guide. hebridean-way-shop.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/the-official-guide-cycling-the-hebridean-way I found it really useful for food stops and a whole lot more. I rode Ullapool-Inverness on a weekday and outside peak holiday season. First bit (Nc500) was a bit busy but nothing too bad. From Loch Glascarnoch it was fine. Wide road and not too busy. Bit near Garve/Contin narrower and busier but short section. And I took north shore of Beauly Firth from Muir of Ord which I’d recommend. Did consider Skye option but having cycled the Harris hills heading north I was in no rush to repeat heading south 🙂 Hope this helps. Happy to answer anything else.
Thanks for all your advice Stewart, much appreciated. I’ve just ordered the book you recommended. I did get the cicerone book but to be honest it’s not fantastic. The author didn’t camp so there’s not much useful advice re this. I’m planning on camping most if not all of the time but will definitely check out the hostels too. Thanks also for the route advice back to Inverness- I’ll certainly consider this as I don’t really fancy backtracking to the start to catch a ferry back to Oban. I know it’s probably a big ask but do you happen to have a packing list or recommend one. I can see you only took the 2 rear panniers and handlebar bag. I am struggling to decided what to take and am in danger of overpacking and filling my four panniers. No worries if not, I’ll keep staring at my clothes and gear and hope some of them will disappear 😂. Thanks again. Carl
@@chesteruk no problem sharing over kit list. Only thing I’d change it swapping out my Brukit for smaller stove. Needed long bibs on a couple of days despite it being May. If you fancy a hostel one night can recommend the Gatliff Trust one on Berneray £10 in an honesty box, warm and cosy with good company the night I stayed. Laxdale campsite in Stornoway was also a good call. Hope this helps and let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.
Enjoy your trip if you end up doing it. Thanks for the feedback. Hear you re mic…hadn’t planned on creating a video and was just using my phone. Normally a photo person
I am hoping to do this trip next summer, bringing my bike and gear over from Canada. You may actually be a relative of mine? Any relation to Olive and Tom?
Hi Stewart, I’m cycling the route this year. Can I ask if you had to carry much food in the Hebrides or is there plenty of places to purchase some? Also your route back via Ullapool - Inverness would you recommend it? I’m torn between this route or Uig to Kyle of Localsh as I’m reading both routes are a bit treacherous with fast traffic. My other option would be to return back to the start and get the ferry back to Oban. Great video and thanks for sharing. Carl
Hi Carl, thanks for the kind comments. With hindsight I probably took too much food as there are plenty of cafes and Co-Op supermarkets dotted about the place. Just watch opening/closing times. And if on the northern isles on a Sunday you’ll need to plan that. I found a cafe near Leverburgh. Less supermarkets on west coast of Lewis but good cafe stops. I can recommend this guide. hebridean-way-shop.myshopify.com/collections/featured-products/products/the-official-guide-cycling-the-hebridean-way I found it really useful for food stops and a whole lot more. I rode Ullapool-Inverness on a weekday and outside peak holiday season. First bit (Nc500) was a bit busy but nothing too bad. From Loch Glascarnoch it was fine. Wide road and not too busy. Bit near Garve/Contin narrower and busier but short section. And I took north shore of Beauly Firth from Muir of Ord which I’d recommend. Did consider Skye option but having cycled the Harris hills heading north I was in no rush to repeat heading south 🙂 Hope this helps. Happy to answer anything else.
Thanks for all your advice Stewart, much appreciated. I’ve just ordered the book you recommended. I did get the cicerone book but to be honest it’s not fantastic. The author didn’t camp so there’s not much useful advice re this. I’m planning on camping most if not all of the time but will definitely check out the hostels too. Thanks also for the route advice back to Inverness- I’ll certainly consider this as I don’t really fancy backtracking to the start to catch a ferry back to Oban. I know it’s probably a big ask but do you happen to have a packing list or recommend one. I can see you only took the 2 rear panniers and handlebar bag. I am struggling to decided what to take and am in danger of overpacking and filling my four panniers. No worries if not, I’ll keep staring at my clothes and gear and hope some of them will disappear 😂. Thanks again. Carl
@@chesteruk no problem sharing over kit list. Only thing I’d change it swapping out my Brukit for smaller stove. Needed long bibs on a couple of days despite it being May. If you fancy a hostel one night can recommend the Gatliff Trust one on Berneray £10 in an honesty box, warm and cosy with good company the night I stayed. Laxdale campsite in Stornoway was also a good call. Hope this helps and let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.
@@chesteruksorry wouldn’t let me add kit list to comment. Email me at stewartmccall@virginmedia.com and I’ll share it over
Great video - but get a wind filter for your microphone! Thinking of doing this run in a couple of weeks time - thanks for the images, I can't wait.
Enjoy your trip if you end up doing it. Thanks for the feedback. Hear you re mic…hadn’t planned on creating a video and was just using my phone. Normally a photo person
I am hoping to do this trip next summer, bringing my bike and gear over from Canada. You may actually be a relative of mine? Any relation to Olive and Tom?
You’ll really enjoy this trip if you do come over. Don’t think so with regards relatives. Some distant relations but on my mums side so not McCalls