Travelling around the islands by car

The easiest way to move around the island is by car.  Traffic is generally very light and moves freely.  If you arrive by air and are not on a Flydrive package, you can rent cars from several operators, with collection at the airport, the ferrry port or delivered to your Cala hotel.

Lewis and Harris are, to all intents and purposes, a single landmass. This landmass is the third largest of the British Isles, covering an area which is around 80 miles north to south and averages about 12 to 15 miles across, east to west.  The central areas are mainly moorland and modestly proportioned mountains, with most villages and visitor attractions around the coastline.

A single main road, starting as the A857 and ending as the A859 runs the entire length of the island, serving connecting roads to most areas.  This main road has recently been the subject of massive improvement and now is two lanes wide throughout its length, other than for a few miles on quiet stretches between Tarbert and Leverburgh.  Most main and town roads on the island are two lanes wide, but side roads away from Stornoway town are usually single lane, with passing places.  

By bus

An excellent network of bus routes, centered on Stornoway, serves just about every area, with connections by ferry at Leverburgh to the southern islands.  Most buses are run directly by the local council, which provides a timetable covering both its own routes and those served by private operators.

By bike

The Isle of Lewis is a popular destination for cyclists, who will find the generally gentle gradients of the island to be easily coped with.  While there are no cycle lanes, traffic is light and visibility largely unhindered by hedges and trees.  Although much less prevalent in summer months, headwinds can occasionally be an annoyance for cyclists.

By taxi

Taxis and mini-bus taxis are available for travel to all areas.

Inter island

Caledonian MacBrayne car ferries serve the Isle of Skye from Tarbert and the southern isles via Leverburgh.  Further connections to the mainland are available from ferry terminals on the Uists and Barra.  If you are planning a touring holiday with your own car (or on foot, bus or bicyle), Hebridean Hopscotch offers you an individually planned  package, which includes your ferry and accommodation arrangements for the complete holiday. Holidays by air, with or without car hire included, are also available..

More information about inclusive holidays >>>>

By air, direct flights from Stornoway to Benbecula are operated by Highland Airways and onward connections from Benbecula to Barra are possible via British Airways, although timings are currently not convenient for some travellers.