Shetland, Orkney, Hebrides and northern Scotland

[Tim Cullis]

Last June I gave a presentation at HUBB/UK on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides from a trip I did the previous year. I'm planning another visit this coming summer encompassing Shetland and other islands in the Hebrides group, so I've been busy extending my research.

I've uploaded a .gpx file that contains over 220 waypoints in Shetland, Orkney, northern Scotland and the Hebrides. The waypoints are mainly places to visit and accommodation options, and most of the waypoints include a link to websites describing the place. The .gpx file also includes ferry links and route suggestions.

This represents at least four man days of work, so please do not incorporate this into other works.

Ferries (2014 prices)
Obviously ferry costs need to be considered. The cheapest ferries to the Hebrides—Ullapool to Stornaway (Lewis) or Uig (Isle of Skye) to Tarbert (Harris)—work out at about £65 return for motorbike and rider. A much longer route from Oban to Castlebay (Barra), then island hopping to Lewis and returning Stornaway to Ullapool is about £110 for bike and rider.

The cheapest ferry to Orkney from the tip of Scotland (Scrabster or Gills Bay) is about £60 return. If, instead of directly returning you take the overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland and return on the overnight ferry to Aberdeen, the total cost rises to £150 return, plus cabin accommodation if you want it.

Accommodation
The Scottish islands are incredibly wild-camping-friendly so one option is to pitch up near a handy pub where you can use the toilets and wash basin, in exchange for buying food and drink. In Shetland there's a series of 'böds' which are basic huts costing £10 per night. These are self-catering and you need your own bedding. Elsewhere there's many inexpensive hostels ranging from £16 to £22 per night.

Ferries
Northlink Ferries (to Shetland, Orkney)
Pentland Ferries (to Orkney)
Orkney Ferries (between Orkney islands)
Calendonian MacBrayne (to Hebrides)

Low-cost accommodation
Independent Hostels Guide
Shetland Camping Böds
Hostel Scotland
Scotland Campsites

Places to visit
Undiscovered Scotland
Shetland Heritage
Visit Shetland
Orkneyjar
Visit Outer Hebrides
Scottish Monuments
Walk Highlands
Secret Scotland

Ask questions
TripAdvisor Shetlands
TripAdvisor Orkney
TripAdvisor Hebrides

The worst of the research has been done, all you need to do is to fine tune your routes and pack your bike. Enjoy!

.

[Treadtrader]

Thanks for posting this Tim.
So much of this will useful to many of us.

[Tim Cullis]

Probably most people have heard of the Outer Hebrides which is the line of islands from Lewis/Harris, Uists, etc. But the Inner Hebrides is a term used far less often, and refers to the Isle of Skye, Mull, Jura, etc. See map below.

The port of Oban is just to the east of Mull.

[boristhebold]

Brilliant, thanks Tim, it'll save many of us a lot of time. Is it possible to make it a sticky ? Anyone ?

[Treadtrader]

Brilliant, thanks Tim, it'll save many of us a lot of time. Is it possible to make it a sticky ? Anyone ?

Done.


Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk

[fullerton]

Last June I gave a presentation at HUBB/UK on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides from a trip I did the previous year. I'm planning another visit this coming summer encompassing Shetland and other islands in the Hebrides group, so I've been busy extending my research.

I've uploaded a .gpx file that contains over 220 waypoints in Shetland, Orkney, northern Scotland and the Hebrides. The waypoints are mainly places to visit and accommodation options, and most of the waypoints include a link to websites describing the place. The .gpx file also includes ferry links and route suggestions.

Nice one time, looking at that beach my misses has got the maps out (thats maps boys)
steve

This represents at least four man days of work, so please do not incorporate this into other works.

Ferries (2014 prices)
Obviously ferry costs need to be considered. The cheapest ferries to the Hebrides—Ullapool to Stornaway (Lewis) or Uig (Isle of Skye) to Tarbert (Harris)—work out at about £65 return for motorbike and rider. A much longer route from Oban to Castlebay (Barra), then island hopping to Lewis and returning Stornaway to Ullapool is about £110 for bike and rider.

The cheapest ferry to Orkney from the tip of Scotland (Scrabster or Gills Bay) is about £60 return. If, instead of directly returning you take the overnight ferry from Orkney to Shetland and return on the overnight ferry to Aberdeen, the total cost rises to £150 return, plus cabin accommodation if you want it.

Accommodation
The Scottish islands are incredibly wild-camping-friendly so one option is to pitch up near a handy pub where you can use the toilets and wash basin, in exchange for buying food and drink. In Shetland there's a series of 'böds' which are basic huts costing £10 per night. These are self-catering and you need your own bedding. Elsewhere there's many inexpensive hostels ranging from £16 to £22 per night.

Ferries
Northlink Ferries (to Shetland, Orkney)
Pentland Ferries (to Orkney)
Orkney Ferries (between Orkney islands)
Calendonian MacBrayne (to Hebrides)

Low-cost accommodation
Independent Hostels Guide
Shetland Camping Böds
Hostel Scotland
Scotland Campsites

Places to visit
Undiscovered Scotland
Shetland Heritage
Visit Shetland
Orkneyjar
Visit Outer Hebrides
Scottish Monuments
Walk Highlands
Secret Scotland

Ask questions
TripAdvisor Shetlands
TripAdvisor Orkney
TripAdvisor Hebrides

The worst of the research has been done, all you need to do is to fine tune your routes and pack your bike. Enjoy!

.

[tetley]

I was at Tim's presentation at the HUBB, it was great. I subsequently made a trip up to the Orkneys and followed some of the routes.

Saved us a load of planning time and great source of information for this area.

Thanks again Tim

C

[Lulo]

.
Thanks TIM! (thumbs)

[Trev]

Tim, a belated thanks for putting this together, I'll shamelessly blag bits for my forthcoming trip.

I managed to get a few days in Scotland on the bike last year including half a day on Skye, loved it and looking to get back again this year, this time concentrating on Western Highlands and the Hebrides. At the moment my schedule gives me a week either late April, early August or mid-September, I was jammy last year and had 4 days of clear blue sky in April, any thoughts on best time of year to make the trip? (thumbs)

BTW I have a 400 mile trip just to the border so up and back will be pure motorway joy

[Flyfifer]

August and September is prime midgies time.
April 2015 was superb but completely unusual .
Ferry bookings can be a problem at short notice i.e. watch the forecast and go !
Take your pick!!!!