St. Kilda Scotland

[matt2matt2002]

Hope to visit St. Kilda in the Spring.
Anyone been there recently?
Ferries go from North Uistnor Skye.
Any advice much appreciated on accommodation in the area.
Matt

[Dudley Manlove]

I thought it was abandoned and not even sure you can spend the night there? Oh well willing to learn...

[andrew_s]

I believe it's National Trust work parties, and a very small campsite (about 6 people), with a 5 night limit on the camping, weather permitting.
"Weather permitting" means that you may not be able to leave when intended.

[irc]

http://www.kilda.org.uk/visiting.htm#.UrOOd-KuH0c

[matt2matt2002]

Many thanks folks.

I should have made my question a little clearer.

Anyone biked from the mainland and then taken a boat for a day visit to the island?

I have read up about the actual island, ownership and staying on the island.

It's more the travel to the departure point.

Thanks again folks

Matt

[LollyKat]

Have a look at this thread.

Googling "st kilda day trips" throws up several links including trips from Skye and Harris.

[stephenjubb]

You can go from here

http://www.integrityvoyages.co.uk/st-kilda.php

£235 per person.

Not expensive for where you go, but it is a lot for one day for me personally. One of those things if you have lots of cash or have saved brilliant thing to do.

I would have loved it, but I'd also want to camp on it, what an experience that would be!

I did not as £235 for me when I was in scotland meant another 3 weeks holiday.

or you can book here for other alternative/

http://www.kildacruises.co.uk/boat/
http://www.seatrek.co.uk/category/trips ... rib-trips/
regards

Steve

[matt2matt2002]

Thanks Steve.
Yes quite a lot of money but my 2 kids clubbed together for my 60th birthday present last month.

Being old has some advantages!

Matt

[BeeKeeper]

I took a ferry to the Ile d'Ouessant off the top left hand corner of France. It was an interesting place to visit but my bike suffered from the salt spray it was subjected to on the ferry where it was tied to the deck in front of the wheelhouse.

So if you do go be prepared to strip down the headset as a minimum and generously lubricate* everything else once you get back home.

* I am sure you can buy something locally when in that part of the country for internal lubrication! Helps to keep the midges away too, or at least you don't notice them as much and sleep better.

[andrew_s]

The St Kilda trips seem to depart from Uig in Skye, or Leverburgh in south Harris. Leverburgh, being closer, would probably allow more time ashore.
For accommodation, there's an SYHA hostel in Uig (about a mile and 3/4 from the pier), and there's a bunkhouse/hostel in Leverburgh (about 1/4 mile from the pier).

I'd incorporate a trip to St Kilda in with a general Outer Hebrides tour*, but if you want to go as nearly direct as possible, then other than driving, the best route is to take the train to Mallaig, get the ferry to Armadale (first ferry 0810), then ride to Uig (about 58 miles straight down the main road). There's an SYHA hostel in Broadford (16/17 miles) if that fits better with train times.

For Leverburgh, take the Lochmaddy ferry from Uig (0940 or 1400, depending which day it is), then ride round to the Berneray-Leverburgh ferry (11 miles) for one of the afternoon ferries.

Train to Oban, ferry to Barra or Lochboisdale and ride, is also a possible route to Leverburgh, but the ferries are an evening arrival. There's a hostel in Castlebay, but Lochboisdale would be B&B or Hotel. Then it's a 66 mile (from Castlebay) or 50 mile (from Lochboisdale) ride to the Berneray/Leverburgh ferry. From Castlebay, there's a ferry after 8 miles, with morning times of 0700 or 0940.
The last Berneray to Leverburgh ferry is at 1720. There is a hostel on Berneray if you don't make it, but I'd doubt that the first ferry will get you to Leverburgh in time for a St Kilda boat.

*
For a general tour, Oban - Barra - Uists - Berneray - Harris - Lewis - return to Tarbert - Uig - Mallaig - Ardnamurchan - Tobermory - Oban works well. I did it mostly camping, but there are hostels for most of it. Somewhere between Broadford and Tobermory would probably be the most awkward. There is a hostel in Mallaig, but you'd probably want to go further than that. [edit] there's a bunkhouse at the Glenuig Inn, between Lochailort and Acharacle

[irc]

If going to the Am Bothan hostel in Leverburgh take a copy of your booking with you. My wife and I arrived late in the evening this summer to find the owner had us on the wrong page on his diary and there were no beds for us. Luckily we were carrying a tent and in fairness to the owner he let us camp in the back garden and use the facilities. The hostel common room was pretty crowded with every bed taken, 4 tents in the garden, and a camper van in the drive.


Nice enough hostel. There is a good coffee/burger van at the ferry terminal in Leverburgh.

Depending on ferry times the Gatliff Trust Hostel on Bernary may be useful. There is a shop between the ferry and the hostel. The hostel doesn't take bookings. First come first served. Camping outside is allowed for something like £5 per night.

[Weekender]

http://youtu.be/nRH5SZDCi5w

Did a short trip last year to Uist and Harris. Planned to return to Oban via Skye and Mull but had to change plans and return via Loch Boisdale. Trip was Oban to Loch Boisdale, cycle approx. 14 mls for overnight at Howmore hostel £12 then 42 mls to camp in the dunes near Berneray Hostel, ferry to Leverborough and explored Harris. returned to camp across the road from the Lochmaddy Hotel then back to Howmore and Loch Boisdale.
Cycling is easy on good roads, plenty wild camp spots. Boat from Leverborough will take you to St Kilda and back same day. Will do this this coming year. Above is a short video of the trip.
Gerry

[bogmyrtle]

If you go from Uig the SYHA hostel is not too far from the Ferry terminal. You could cycle to the boat in the morning and then return to the hostel at night. Uig is hardly a hot bed of crime so I'm pretty sure you could safely leave your bike at the terminal.
You need to be prepared for the boat to not sail if the weather is too bad. The journey time can also vary according to the weather. My friend went last year and the outward trip took over 5 hours and it was exceptionally rough but I'm told it was well worth it.

[John Holiday]

Don't forget the Gatliff Trust Hostels,which would provide a good base for touring Hebrides & possibly trip to St.Kilda.

[pau1ine]

I would also recommend the Gatliff Trust Hostels . Quirky and definitely not for TripAdvsior brigade who complain about the standard of service (there isn't any), but ideal for the touring cyclists and likely to be quiet in spring.