Hebridean Long Distance Cycling Route

Patrick's Route

Day One: Inverness - Garve - Ullapool. Total cycled distance = 32.1 miles

Inverness to Garve takes less than an hour by train. Check www.railtrack.co.uk for timetable information. Cycle Garve to Ullapool on the A835 - 32.1 miles. Overnight in Ullapool's Youth Hostel. There are also a number of hotels and B&Bs to choose from, search www.host.co.uk for accommodation in Ullapool.

Day Two: Ullapool - Stornoway -Arnol - Shawbost - Gearrannan. Total cycled distance = 24.3 miles

Ullapool - Stornoway - 2 hours 40 minutes by Calmac (www.calmac.co.uk)ferry. Places to visit in Stornoway: Museum on Francis Street, An Lantair Art Gallery, South Beech Street. Tourist Information Centre Cromwell Street. The Lews Castle Grounds.

Stornoway - Arnol 14.7 miles. A857 - A858 - Places to visit - Arnol Blackhosue.

Arnol - Shawbost 3.6 miles A858 - Places to visit: remains of Broch at Loch an Duna, renovated Norse mill house in Shawbost, Shawbost Folk museum,

Shawbost - Gearrannan 6.1 miles. A858 -Places to visit: Dalmore Beach (top surfing destination) Once you reach Gearannan you can stay in the hostel which is part of a traditionally renovated blackhouse village in its own bay. (www.gearrannan.com).

Day 3: Garenin - Carloway - Callanish - Tarbert - Luskentyre: Total cycled distance: 56.8 miles

Garenin - Carloway 2 miles A858 - Places to Visit: Carloway Broch (good example of a well preserved Norse roundhouse.

Carloway - Callanish 6.4 miles A858 -Places to visit: The Callanish Stones (world famous Neolithic stone circle), Callanish Stones Centre, Breasclete burial chamber.

Callanish - Tarbert 38.7 miles A858 then south on A859. Places to visit: Garynahine and Achmore standing stones, Tarbert Hotel / Motel for dinner or drink.

Tarbert - Luskyntyre 9.7 miles A859. places of interest: The Harris Hills (highest the Clisham 799m) Luskyntyre sands (large expanse of white shell sands), views to Isle of Taransay (where Castaway 2000 was filmed). There is a great hostel in Tarbert that in open to all and the Rhenigadale hostel is a bit of a detour but definitely worth the effort.

Day 4: Luskyntyre - Na Buirgh - Leverburgh - Roghadal: Total cycled distance: 13.9 miles

Luskyntyre - Na Buirgh 3.7 miles A859. Places of interest: The clan Macleod Standing Stone (monolith), Scarista House.

Na Buirgh - Leverburgh: 7.2 miles A859. Places of Interest: The Macgillvery Centre (flora and fauna centre), Seallam (genealogy and historical centre) Rubh an Teampull (Ancient Chapel).

Leverburgh -Roghadal 3 miles A859. Places of Interest: St Clements Church (outstanding and intact church built in the 15th century). Rhodel Hotel. Leverburgh hostel is one of the most innovative and stylish in Scotland! You will be amazed (www.ambothan.com.

Day 5: Roghadal - Leverburgh -Port nan long - Traigh Iar: Total Cycled distance: 9.2 miles

Roghadal - Leverburgh: 3 miles A859. The Anchorage (grab a bite to eat before catching the ferry).

Leverburgh - Port nan Long: B893 : take a 1 hour 10 min ferry trip from Leverburgh to Berneray. Cycle across the causeway into North Uist. Visit www.calmac.co.uk for ferry times. Places to visit: The isle of Berneray (Prince Charles favourite island in Britain).

Port nan Long - Traigh Iar: 6.2 miles B893 and east A865. Places to visit: The numerous beaches that are only metres away as you cycle right past. Lochmaddy hostel offers water sports and guided walks. The Gatliff hostels on Berneray are in the style of thatched blackhouses and are right beside the sea.

Day 6: Traigh Iar - Beinn Langaiss - Clachan na Luib - Balivanich - Liniclete: Total cycled distance: 31.9 miles

Traigh Iar to Beinn Langaiss: 13.2 miles A865 south. Places to visit: Barpa Languss (5000 year old chambered chairn, Standing stones ('Fingals people')

Langaiss - Clachan na Luib - 3 miles A865.

Clachan na Luib- Balivanich 11.2 miles A865 & B892. Places to Visit: Carinish Inn, Gramsdale Standing Stones, Claddach Kirkibost (small detour).

Balivanich - Liniclete: 4.4 miles south B892: Places to visit: Borve Castle, Lionclete community school. There is a good campsite at liniclete if you need to use the amenities and Liniclete community school has a swimming pool, showers and a café and is open to the public.

Day 7: Liniclete - Kildonan - Lochboisdale: Total cycled distance: 22.6

Liniclete - Kildonan 15.6 miles A865. Places to visit: Loch Druidibeg Nature Reserve. Ruined Chapels at Howmore.

Kildonan - Lochboisdale: 7 miles A865. Places to visit: Kildonan Museum, For a Macdonald Birth Place, Isle of Eriskay and Am Politician Pub (detour but home of the true story of 'whisky galore'.

There is a great hostel at Howmore which is part of the Gatliff Hostels Trust and is in the style of a thatched blackhouse.

From Lochboisdale you can take a ferry to Castlebay in Barra or to Oban on the Mainland. Unfortunately Patrick could not make it to Barra this time.

Total distance cycled on tour: 190.8 miles