Cycling in the Hebrides

Richard Barrett spent his working life as a professional marketer, but still found time for climbing, winter mountaineering and sea kayaking. He first visited the Harris hills as a teenager and was a regular visitor for years. He has now relocated to Màraig in North Harris, where he and his wife run a guest house.

CONTENTS
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
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 Barvas
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

APPENDICES
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