Flying with a bike to and from the Outer Hebrides

Paul Kirkwood · Post by **Paul Kirkwood** » 1 Nov 2007, 8:09am

I'm planning to fly from Glasgow to Barra, cycle up the Hebrides and fly back from Stornoway. Has anyone had experience of this or - more to the point - of carrying bikes on internal British Airways flights? The website says that bikes needed to be boxed - but I imagine it may be difficult to source a box in Stornoway. [It's relatively easy to turn up at Glasgow with one although I'd have to discard it at Barra].

Any advice very welcome.

Paul.

Will · Post by **Will** » 1 Nov 2007, 5:55pm

I think it highly unlikely that you would be able to take your bike onto the flight to Barra. The plane used is a Twin Otter - it is quite a small plane.

See http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/barra/airport/index.html for pictures.

The Glasgow-Stornoway flight is a Saab 340. This is bigger than the Twin Otter, but you may still have problems getting your bike on it.

Ferries are more fun.

Will

Cunobelin · Post by **Cunobelin** » 1 Nov 2007, 6:22pm

Slightly OT.....

Can I recommend:

Away with the Ferries by Stuart Craig - a Glaswegian dentist who loves cycling and ferries, well worth a read if planning a trip like this.

http://www.westofscotlandbooks.com/Scottish-Books/scotland-info-payment/travel/info-payment-page-1-away-with-the-ferries.htm

RaasayWarden · Post by **RaasayWarden** » 1 Nov 2007, 8:16pm

I witnessed this summer two cyclists leaving Barra for Glasgow with Bromptons so some bikes are carried. But I rather suspect that Will is correct and anything larger is prohibited.

John Holiday · Post by **John Holiday** » 2 Nov 2007, 2:06pm

We cycled through the Outer Hebrides several years ago, but used the ferries. However , whilst watching the aircraft land on the beach at Barra noticed someone disembarking with a Bike Friday. Anything bigger might be problem, but probably depends on how busy the flight is.

treejamie · Post by **treejamie** » 8 Nov 2007, 10:19pm

how about the train from glasgow to oban and the ferry then cycle the hebs and the ferry from stornaway to ullapool and cycle to inverness?

Sounds like a plan to me.

Alex Dan Cycles in Stornaway is the best bike shop there (i had 4 broken spokes and they let me use their workshop. Two big thumbs up from me.

Jamie

hillspecial · Post by **hillspecial** » 22 Mar 2009, 8:52pm

Hi Paul,

we cycled outer Hebs by boat too, as per other posts, hostels & B&Bs.

Went from Skye to South Uist on the big car ferry. Next day across to Barra on a tiny boat, 20 foot or so, bikes strapped to side.

Did a circuit or Barra, walked to hightes point, had a brew at the airport and watched a plane ot two land / take off.

Then with a few more ferries; cycled , south uist, Benbecula, north uist, harris and up to the Butt of Lewis, back to Syke.

Then rode around the sights on Syke.

Left the car at Broadford YH on Skye for 8 days, then long drive home to the geographical centre of the UK.

Not yet done the Orkneys or Shetlands.

Paul

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Flying with a bike to and from the Outer Hebrides

Flying with a bike to and from the Outer Hebrides

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