Oban - Lochboisdale - Lochmaddy - Uig, Isle of Skye and back.

York to the Isle of Skye

I have some friends who live on the Isle of Skye so I decided to do a cycle ride from Lochboisdale, South Uist, up through Benbecula and North Uist to Lochmaddy take the ferry to Uig and bike the 16 miles to Treaslane. I would return by the same route.

Day 1. Cycled from home to York Railway Station. 12 miles. Train to Oban via Edinburgh and Glasgow. Oban b&b. Glen Roy Guest House - Louise Trann.

Day 2. Ferry to Lochboisdale and cycled to Grimsay, North Uist where I had booked b&b at Ardnastruban House. 32 miles.

Day 3. Cycled to Lochmaddy. Ferry to Uig, Skye. Cycled to Treaslane. Total miles cycled 28.

The return route was the same but I had b&b at Grogarry on South Uist and finished the journey to Oban the following day. Total mileage for the whole trip 145 miles.

 

On the outward ferry to Lochboisdale it transpired that the tide was running too low to attempt a landing at the scheduled time. We were therefore treated, to pass the time, on a "non-direct" route passing close to Ardnamurchan Point, above, Muck, Eigg, Rum, Canna & the Cuillins of Skye. 

Rum.

The Cuillins on Skye.

We received reports on board ferry that snow had fallen in North Uist. However, it was suggested that it may well have melted away by the time any of the ferry's passengers could get there and that is exactly what happened.

The ferry approaching Lochboisdale.

 

Milton, South Uist on the A865, GR744264.

The A865 South Uist - blissful cycling.

Kildonan, South Uist.

The A865 heading north, South Uist.

Scattered crofts in the Bornish area of South Uist.

The A865 in the Stoneybridge area.

!

GR792451. At the north end of South Uist.

Approaching the causeway linking South Uist to Benbecula.

The A865 causeway to Benbecula and Creagorry Stores for a stock up.

South Uist (in Gaelic)

Welcome to Benbecula.

Creagorry, Benbecula, Stores just ahead - no loos though!

From here it was about 8 miles to my booked b&b at Ardnastruban on the Isle of Grimsay, North Uist. At Creagorry I cut straight across Benbecula from south to north which is about 4 miles.



Day 3.

Peat stacks on the A867 Clachan to Lochmaddy road North Uist.



The A867 on North Uist with North and South Lees in the distance. The Lees are directly behind Lochmaddy. More wonderful cycling.

Peats bagged ready for collection.

!

The Lochmaddy-Uig ferry arriving.

                                        Day 4.

Now on Skye looking down on the Uig Ferry Terminal.

Returning to Lochmaddy and passing Ru Idrigill, Uig.

The ferry approaching Lochmaddy.

Ready to disembark at Lochmaddy.

Here I am again, this time going south.

The "Hebrides" at Lochmaddy.

Lochmaddy.

Clachan Stores on the A867 (GR811641) North Uist. I was told off by the shopkeeper for parking my bike with the handlebars resting against the noticeboard.

This is the b&b I stayed at on the way up ie Ardnastruban House just off the main road.

Day 5.

My return to Lochboisdale Ferry Terminal.

Duart Castle, Isle of Mull.

The Isle of Mull Ferry passing the Lismore Light on her way to Craignure.

The Esplanade at Oban.

Day 6.

Oban.

The Isle of Kerrera in the foreground with the Isle of Mull behind.

Oban Bay.

My b&b in Oban, the Glen Roy Guest House run by Mr & Mrs Louise Trann.