Travel tips Dòighean siubhail
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The Outer Hebrides may be rather remote but reaching them is relatively easy with plenty of daily flights and ferries from different points on the mainland. And once you’re here, the regular inter-island ferries and causeways will help get you around. Eastern Airways flies between Stornoway and Aberdeen from Monday to Friday. For more information, visit www.easternairways.com or call 08703 669 100.
By bus Regular bus services to mainland ferry ports connect where possible with ferry arrival and departure times. Scotland’s main bus operator is Scottish Citylink who can be contacted on 0871 266 33 33 or visit www.citylink.co.uk. For local bus timetables in the Outer Hebrides go to www.cne-siar.gov.uk/travel/busservice/index.asp
(from Uig on Skye), Lochmaddy (also from Uig), Lochboisdale (from Oban) and Castlebay (also from Oban). Caledonian MacBrayne also operates an excellent inter-island service in the Outer Hebrides with ferries between Leverburgh and Berneray, and between Eriskay and Barra.
Connecting flights are available from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, and from other cities around the UK and Europe.
By rail The Freedom of Scotland Travelpass allows unlimited travel on scheduled rail services in Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne ferries and certain Scottish Citylink bus routes, including those connecting with ferries to the Hebrides. For further information call 08457 55 00 33 or visit www.scotrail.co.uk
You can make substantial savings too by purchasing one of Caledonian MacBrayne’s special flexible ferry tickets. The Island Rover allows you to explore the islands at your leisure with the choice of an 8 or 15 day ticket, while Island Hopscotch tickets are valid for one month and let you pick your own adventure by choosing from a selection of pre-planned routes.
Where to find out more Find all you want to do in the Outer Hebrides, in one place. At a VisitScotland Information Centre we’ll tell you everything there is to see and do and help with everything else you’ll need for your visit. Our friendly experts can offer advice and inspiration on all things local as well as sharing their wider knowledge of Scotland.
Travel by rail to Oban from where you can catch a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to the Outer Hebrides, or take the train to Kyle of Lochalsh then journey by bus through Skye before making a ferry crossing from Uig to the Outer Hebrides. For full details of train timetables and fares visit www.scotrail.co.uk
For more details of ferry tickets and fares, visit www.calmac.co.uk or call 0800 066 5000.
We can also arrange your accommodation and travel needs, as well as book tickets for events across Scotland. So, to get the most out of your visit, there is only one place to go.
By ferry Caledonian MacBrayne runs a modern fleet of car and passenger ferries to five ports in the Outer Hebrides: Stornoway (from Ullapool), Tarbert
By air There are several options for flying to the Outer Hebrides. Flybe – operated by Loganair – fly to Stornoway (from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness), Benbecula (from Glasgow and Inverness) and Barra (from Glasgow). For more details go to www.flybe.com or call 0871 700 2000.
Please refer to the list of VisitScotland Information Centres on page 22. Further travel information can be obtained in advance from www.traveline.org.uk or by calling 0871 200 2233.
01 A couple look out from the deck of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Barra as it arrives at Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist.
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For information and to book accommodation go to www.visitscotland.com