Re: Beaches in the Outer Hebrides

In message <ae83a8af64ccb53e67baa24575054f59.3570@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Ian Morrison <iomorrison@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes
"Andrew Romswell" <andrewromswell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1152043757.826254.259990@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Has anyone else been to the Outer Hebrides to see the beaches? Are they
really as deserted and beautiful as those pictured (or has some
jiggery-pokery in photoshop gone on here?)? What is the cheapest way of
getting there from the "mainland"?

The beaches are wonderful, but the weather often isn't. There is no way
of predicting the latter reliably.

The cheapest way of getting to the Western Isles is by public transport.
You can get a train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, then bus to Uig
on Skye, then ferry (cheapish as a foot passenger) to Tarbert, Harris,
then either walk or cycle to the beaches on the west coast of Harris.

There are also many excellent beaches on the mainland of Scotland,
especially those in the far north west, such as Oldshoremore and
Sandwood Bay (postbus from Lairg to Kinlochbervie, then walk).
Achnahaird, near Lochinver, is also pretty good - cycling is probably
the best way to get there.

For a fine beach closer to "civilisation", you could do worse than
Arisaig, which is convenient for the Glasgow-Mallaif railway line. There
are excellent views of the Small Isles, weather permitting.

The sands of Morar are also worth a mention (Local hero, etc fame). I was there on Saturday.

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