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.

• Map key Overview map of The Hebridean Way 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 Route 1A Gourock to Ardrossan Route 1B Dunoon to Portavadie Route 1C Auchenbreck to Rothesay Route 1D Brodick to Lochranza Route 1E Claonaig to Tayinloan Route 1F Kennacraig to Oban Day Routes Route 1.1 Circuit of south Arran Route 1.2 Circuit of north Arran Route 1.3 Circuit of Great Cumbrae Route 1.4 Circuit of Bute Route 1.5 Gigha 2 Colonsay, Islay and Jura Introduction Link Routes Route 2A Port Ellen to Port Askaig Day Routes Route 2.1 South coast of Islay Route 2.2 Circuit of northwest Islay from Bridgend Route 2.3 Circuit of central Islay from Bowmore Route 2.4 Circuit of southwest Islay (The Rhinns) Route 2.5 Craighouse and back from Feolin Ferry Route 2.6 Circuit of Colonsay 3 Mull, Coll and Tiree Introduction Link Routes Route 3A Craignure to Tobermory Route 3B Lochaline to Salen Route 3C Salen to Kilchoan Route 3D Salen to Mallaig Day Routes Route 3.1 Slate Islands Route 3.2 Kerrera Route 3.3 Circuit across Lismore from Oban Route 3.4 Circuit of central Mull Route 3.5 Circuit of northern Mull Route 3.6 Out to Iona Route 3.7 Coll Route 3.8 Circuit of west Tiree Route 3.9 Fishbone ride in east Tiree 4 Skye and Raasay Introduction Link Routes Route 4A Ullapool to Armadale Route 4B Stromeferry to Uig Day Routes Route 4.1 Across the Sleat Peninsula from Armadale Route 4.2 Elgol and back from Broadford Route 4.3 A three-legged ride from Carbost Route 4.4 Around the Duirinish Peninsula Route 4.5 Circuit of the Trotternish Peninsula Route 4.6 Circuit of central Skye Route 4.7 Skye Bridge/Glenelg circuit from Kyle of Lochalsh Route 4.8 Raasay 5 Barra and the Uists Introduction/Planning The Hebridean Way Link Routes Route 5A Castlebay to Lochboisdale (Hebridean Way to Dalabrog) Route 5B Dalabrog to Clachan (Hebridean Way) Route 5C Clachan to Berneray Route 5D Clachan to Berneray Junction (Hebridean Way) Day Routes Route 5.1 Circuit of Barra and Vatersay Route 5.2 South Uist machair from Tobha Mor Route 5.3 Circuit of North Uist 6 Harris and Lewis Introduction Link Routes Route 6A Leverburgh to Tarbert (west) (Hebridean Way) Route 6B Leverburgh to Tarbert (east) Route 6C Tarbert to Stornoway (Hebridean Way to Liurbost) Route 6D Liurbost to Barabhas (Hebridean Way) Route 6E Stornoway to Butt of Lewis (Hebridean Way from Barabhas) Day Routes Route 6.1 Circuit of south Harris Route 6.2 Huisinis from Tarbert Route 6.3 Scalpay from Tarbert Route 6.4 Callanish by the Pentland Road Route 6.5 West Lewis from Gearraidh na h’Aibhne Route 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