Cycling in the Hebrides

Map key

Overview map

INTRODUCTION

Terrain

Wildlife and plants

History and culture

Getting there

Getting around

The weather and when to go

Where to stay

Preparing your bike

Preparing yourself

Planning your trip

What and how to pack

Riding comfortably

Riding in a group

Using this guide

Maps and itineraries

1 CLYDE AND KINTYRE

Introduction

Link Routes

1A Gourock to Ardrossan

1B Dunoon to Portavadie

1C Auchenbreck to Rothesay

1D Brodick to Lochranza

1E Claonaig to Tayinloan

1F Kennacraig to Oban

Day Routes

1.1 Circuit of south Arran

1.2 Circuit of north Arran

1.3 Circuit of Great Cumbrae

1.4 Circuit of Bute

1.5 Gigha

2 COLONSAY, ISLAY AND JURA

Introduction

Link Routes

2A Port Ellen to Port Askaig

Day Routes

2.1 South coast of Islay

2.2 Circuit of northwest Islay from Bridgend

2.3 Circuit of central Islay from Bowmore

2.4 Circuit of southwest Islay (The Rhinns)

2.5 Craighouse and back from Feolin Ferry

2.6 Circuit of Colonsay

3 MULL, COLL AND TIREE

Introduction

Link Routes

3A Craignure to Tobermory

3B Lochaline to Salen

3C Salen to Kilchoan

3D Salen to Mallaig

Day Routes

3.1 Slate Islands

3.2 Kerrera

3.3 Circuit across Lismore from Oban

3.4 Circuit of central Mull

3.5 Circuit of northern Mull

3.6 Out to Iona

3.7 Coll

3.8 Circuit of west Tiree

3.9 Fishbone ride in east Tiree

4 SKYE AND RAASAY

Introduction

Link Routes

4A Ullapool to Armadale

4B Stromeferry to Uig

Day Routes

4.1 Across the Sleat Peninsula from Armadale

4.2 Elgol and back from Broadford

4.3 A three-legged ride from Carbost

4.4 Around the Duirinish Peninsula

4.5 Circuit of the Trotternish Peninsula

4.6 Circuit of central Skye

4.7 Skye Bridge/Glenelg circuit from Kyle of Lochalsh

4.8 Raasay

5 BARRA AND THE UISTS

Introduction/Planning The Hebridean Way

Link Routes

5A Castlebay to Lochboisdale

5B Dalabrog to Clachan

5C Clachan to Berneray

5D Clachan to Berneray Junction

Day Routes

5.1 Circuit of Barra and Vatersay

5.2 South Uist machair from Tobha Mor

5.3 Circuit of North Uist

6 HARRIS AND LEWIS

Introduction

Link Routes

6A Leverburgh to Tarbert (west)

6B Leverburgh to Tarbert (east)

6C Tarbert to Stornoway

6D Liurbost to Barabhas

6E Stornoway to Butt of Lewis

Day Routes

6.1 Circuit of south Harris

6.2 Huisinis from Tarbert

6.3 Scalpay from Tarbert

6.4 Callanish by the Pentland Road

6.5 West Lewis from Gearraidh na h’Aibhne

6.6 The Bridge to Nowhere from Stornoway

Appendix A Link route summary table

Appendix B Day route summary table

Appendix C Ferry routes

Appendix D Suggested tours

Appendix E Day trips to islands

Appendix F Cycle shops and cycle hire

Appendix G Hostels

Appendix H Tourist information

Appendix I Further reading

July 2021

Alternative route to A87 around the minor road along the north shore of Loch Ainort - pages 186 and 187

May 2019

Updates

"I can't think of anywhere finer to cycle than the Hebrides... This book has it all, as well as good advice on equipment, preparation, [it covers[ travel to the islands and the weather. Highly recommended."

Cameron McNeish, Scots Magazine

For those who have not yet been persuaded to take their bicycles to the Hebrides and have a jolly good ride around, Richard Barrett's Cicerone guide might well just be the final push needed. The book covers an incredibly beautiful and fascinating area, one that is wild, peaceful and relatively remote compared to much of the UK.

Cycling in the Hebrides will provide any prospective visitor with a host of good ideas and plentiful information. Take a look at some of the photos and put the islands of the west coast of Scotland on your destination list.

Steve Dyster, Seven Day Cyclist

"Cycling in the Hebrides" by Richard Barrett is a lovely little book that will prove an indispensable companion to anyone cycling in the western margins of Scotland: or, indeed, to others touring the area using less energetic and less virtuous modes of transport.

The format of the book is a tried, tested and very effective one... Clear and helpful maps are accompanied by informative gradient tables, text descriptions, overview sections and excellent photography.

Undiscovered Scotland

"Well-researched, well written and copiously illustrated"

Washingmachinepost

"It's highly practical, with its wealth of maps and relief diagrams and advice on what to pack. But it finds room for plenty of anecdotal stuff too."

Scotland Outdoors magazine

An island-hopping guide aimed at regular cycle tourers or those who’d like to try a few bike rides during a Hebridean holiday.

Scottish Memories magazine