In Conclusion

Written a few days after our return with the van emptied, cleaned and parked up until next time, we've looked back to work out our reactions.

The Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles as they are also known, have their own unique setting with varied scenery, albeit of course on a much smaller scale than the mainland. But the quiet ambiance is something that took some getting used to. The people are extremely friendly, although there aren't many of them and perhaps it was the isolation that initially made us unsure. If there is one feature that must be highlighted, it's the stunning beaches of pure white sand that dominate the western coasts of most of the islands, difficult to get to in many cases but almost always deserted, and when the sun comes out....

But that is what we have concluded, you must have decent weather and in this respect we were perhaps a little disappointed. It's not a lot of consolation to be regularly told that this was not normal for May and our lasting memory will be of the wind. Not rain, which looking back we didn't have much problem with (mainly at night).

The islanders also don't seem to take tourism seriously, although T.I. offices are at every main location. Ancient Monuments, seen in the distance but not signposted or on many occasions apparently inaccessible; campsites, few and far between, other opportunities such as wild camping having been curtailed (though we can understand why). Perhaps it's because the islands are difficult to access, necessitating the use of ferries although they are very efficient. Or perhaps it's just that the people themselves are very happy with their way of life and don't want it disturbed.

Whatever, we have come to the conclusion that if it's peace and quiet you are after, The Western Isles are definitely a place to be experienced. We loved it.