How to Hebrides 2022 update: Basics, Ferries, Lewis, & Harris

A guide to visit the Outer Hebrides with your camper van, motorhome, or caravan. Summer 2022 Update.
To view the original 2019 series which is still relevant, please see: • How to Hebrides
To skip to a specific part in this video, click on the time code below:
00:27 - Introduction
01:23 - Basic Information 2022 update: Post-Covid, Post-Brexit
02:19 - Responsible Tourism - visitor guidelines
02:55 - Fake News - Will we be welcome in the Outer Hebrides with our Motorhome?
04:21 - CalMac Ferries - Are things as bad as we've heard?
06:18 - Uig Pier Closure and CalMac Ferry Diversions 2022/2023
07:15 - The Uncles Croft Campsite, Isle of Lewis
08:08 - Mardanans Croft Campsite, Isle of Lewis
08:52 - Galson Campsite, Isle of Lewis
09:25 - Ardroil Campsite, Isle of Lewis
09:49 - Pairc Niseaboist, Isle of Harris
10:16 - Horgabost Campsite, Isle of Harris
11:07 - The Loomshed Hebridean Deli
11:25 - Blamire at Harris
11:47 - Coming up next time, and further information
LINKS
Original How to Hebrides Series 2019: • How to Hebrides
Outer Hebrides Tourism: www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/
Responsible Tourism PLACE: www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/...
Outer Hebrides Motorhome, Camper Van, and Caravan Guide: www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/...
CalMac Ferries: calmac.co.uk/
Uncles Croft Campsite: / theunclescroft
Maradans Croft Campsite: / mardananscroft
Galson Campsite: www.visitgalsonestate.com/gal...
Ardroil Campsite: Tel [phone]
Pairc Niseaboist: www.westharristrust.org/camping/
Horgabost Campsite: horgabostcampsite.co.uk/
Loomshed Hebridean Deli: / loomshedbrewery
Blamire at Harris: blamireatharris.wixsite.com/b...
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[@andrewjditton]

What's keeping you? GET BOOKING! ;@)

[@paultursner-upcott3651]

Great update, we are booked for '23, looking forward to returning to the fabulous North Uist.

[@nicolemurphy2629]

Wish my dog was as good as your dog! Saw you today…. Live in Lochboisdale Be great to have a new friend here? Take care Nicole

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

First i'd like to say thank you as your videos inspired me when I first got my first Motorhome 4 years ago and to start a youtube travel, since i've been from lands end to shetland and everywhere in between since then. I'll be hitting the Outer Hebrides mid october so this is a much loved video!!! I'll be hitting Islay too to visit some old pals! Keep up the fab work buddy! i look forward to the next one!!! JP

[@andrewjditton]

Many thanks JP! I love hearing other people's stories like that. I'll probably miss you in October as that will be NEC time :-/

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

@@andrewjditton ah oh well, I’ll probably be about there for a good while mooching about 🤙🏻

[@Trevor.Adams640]

We’ve recently been to the Outer Hebrides and found your original series very useful for ferries, campsites, places to eat and places to visit. We booked all ferries and campsites about a month in advance and managed to get in everywhere we wanted. We also managed to book all the ferries we needed, but sometimes not the sailing we wanted. Coming back from Barra to South Uist we couldn’t get a ferry until 5.30 in the evening. We visited Ness (including the Lighthouse and the delightful Wobbly Dog Cafe) Arnol Blackhouse, Garranin, Callanish, Stornaway, Tarbert, Uig beach, had a Butty from the Butty Bus, stayed at Balranald and Kilbride and saw planes landing and taking off from the beach at Barra Airport. Many thanks for your original video series and the update.

[@andrewjditton]

That's awesome Trevor, glad you found the videos useful. We missed the Wobbly Dog on this update trip as ferry availability dictated that we had to film on a Monday when it was shut :-/

[@MYJ61]

While watching you sign off on the video, I realized how much I miss you wave and your “Hello” when you review caravans. Also thanks for mentioning Rupert’s pottery and Ms. Bonds paintings.. I enjoyed touring their works. Rupert’s pottery May just make it to some deserving people this Christmas!

[@andrewjditton]

Mark... it's not long until Düsseldorf. Just saying! ;)

[@johnmackenzie7487]

Well done on your little diatribe on the 'White Settlers' and their selfish ways. I used to do deliveries all round the North West Highlands, and the number of incomers who paid over the odds for a house with a Gaelic name they can't pronounce, then were upset because Harrod's didn't deliver, used to drive me mad.

[@travellingtom6091]

I live in a rural location and on a smaller scale, I find it hilarious that some of my neighbours light up their gardens like football pitches all night.

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers John. When I moved here myself I was determined to make visitors feel as welcome as I had been made to feel for the 10 years that I myself was a visitor. We all know there are good and bad in all groups, but it's always a pity when the minority give the majority a bad name. All the best.

[@IngramCars]

Essential information, thanks for the update Andrew. Have to say I feel fortunate to have experienced touring the islands and spontaneously arriving for a ferry or campsite. Times change, and as popularity has increased this was never going to last!

[@andrewjditton]

Yes, the pandemic and holidaying at home means that planning is now very important in the busier months, but hopefully that means the season will start getting longer as those who like a bit more flexibility might start choosing September-October. Hope you make it back soon :)

[@tacodias]

My favorite series is back! Yay!

[@anneshirley1748]

Really enjoyable video! Thank you! Plenty of updates as it's forever changing, which is good. Pity about the ferries, Eilidh will agree! I'll be flying there so not a problem (I hope!) Happy birthday to Dougal! He's a very special boy who deserves a lot of treats!! You showed the Callinish Stones which I am visiting when in Lewis plus the black houses! Getting butterflies now, for Hebcelt too! Can't wait! Thanks for showing us this video, great work!! Hugs! xxx 🥰🐕🥳

[@andrewjditton]

Glad you enjoyed it Anne. My cousin from the US was here and last Sunday we had to drive to Lochmaddy ferry terminal to beg to let her on the reduced service to Harris the next day... Hope you have an amazing time!

[@anneshirley1748]

@@andrewjditton That's the idea! Keep your fingers crossed for the Glasgow flight! 🤞I have been warned to take my Factor 50!! 😎😆😂 xx

[@anneshirley1748]

@@andrewjditton Would you believe it? I've tested positive for covid!! Feeling lousy at the mo, keep everything crossed for next week! xx

[@gillianwade7094]

Thankyou for the update Andrew , it has come at just the right time for us , we have booked a 4 week tour of the Hebrides in September, we found your original videos so informative and helpful.Thanks for all the updates.I have nearly all my sites booked and also the ferries, and lists galore of places to visit .😊

[@andrewjditton]

Have a great time Gillian, and we *should* be around towards the end of the month. Thank you for the coffees too - much appreciated :)

[@markmclellan7146]

You're 2019 series got me through lockdown. Many thanks. Will enjoy this 👍🙂

[@travellingtom6091]

Saying "visit us", must still take a few seconds to sink in. So happy for you. 👍

[@andrewjditton]

It does. It feels good, because the thought of leaving used to spoil every holiday here beforehand :)

[@travellingtom6091]

@@andrewjditton I remember the tears in your eyes on the ferry. 😭

[@carolynhaywood7701]

Thanks Andrew and Dougal.

[@lindaelizabethcole3675]

Great update , I definitely plan to visit the Islands one day , never been , always wanted to go , also St. Kilda , you have made them so inviting with your excellent vlogs, well done Andrew , hope Dougal is keeping chirper, hugs

[@karenrobinson3283]

Thank you for this really useful update to your brilliant series.. Can’t wait to visit Hope Blamire’s new shop - a very talented and lovely lady who has encouraged my daughter with her artwork. Going to miss my summer Hebrides visit so much it physically hurts but will be back in the autumn or next year. Can’t wait for the North Uist video! 😀

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks Karen! Hope you manage to sneak a week in sooner not later.

[@HereWeTow]

Congratulations on 70k subscribers 👍👍🤩

[@andrewjditton]

Many thanks J&K!

[@robertclarke7711]

Brilliant segment Andrew. Hay Dougal Happy Birthday the greatest little companion around. 🎂 🥳

[@cyclinggardener]

Thanks for this Andrew. We are at Moorcroft until Friday. Arrived this morning so your update on the Uists will be a tad too late for us. We hope to see more than last year when the islands were shrouded in fog for our brief one night visit. We are spending some time this evening binge watching anything we can find on your channel that will help us get the best from our short stay on the Uists. We really appreciate the effort you put into these videos and Dougal's contribution of course. Thanks again.

[@andrewjditton]

Ooh! Have a great time! In a nutshell it'll be: Wee Cottage Kitchen in Malacleit near Sollas, Otters Edge Campsite, Downpour Distillery Nunton, Croft & Cuan Lochboisdale, and Skydancer Coffee Lochboisdale. We're heading south with the van on Friday so we might see you in passing :)

[@cyclinggardener]

@@andrewjditton Thank you for the updates Andrew. We bagged the trig point yesterday at Aird a Mhorain, inspired by one of your vlogs. It was a beautiful walk and the views from the top were outstanding. There is something spiritual about the islands and I don't mean in the conventional religious sense. Perhaps its the solitude, the wildlife, the elemental nature of the atmosphere and the beautiful landscape. I can't put my finger on it. Nature is all enveloping here. Clearly the islands spoke to you and it's been a pleasure to sample some of the magic. We head to Assynt tomorrow, the spectacular landscape a favourite of ours. We look forward to your next vlog instalments and wish you a safe journey.

[@Crusty_Camper]

An excellent video Andrew, thank you. We used your original videos to plan out trip there in 2019 and absolutely loved it. It's sad that a small number of people try to get things arranged to suit themselves and have bad-mouthed campers. We have the same thing happening here in the Lake District. During our 2 weeks in the Hebrides, we were met by genuinely welcoming people who were interested in their visitors. Booking ahead is just common sense these days, specially as so many of us are staying in the UK this year. But the Islands are so different to anything we had seen before and we fell in love with the whole island chain. I'm looking forward to seeing your next update on the other islands. All the best from West Cumbria, Peter

[@andrewjditton]

Well said Peter, glad you had a great time. Hurry back! :)

[@PaganAbroad]

Many great points and well said👍

[@andrewjditton]

Many thanks!

[@Mads_1313]

Thank you, excellent as always 😊 I will get there 1 day! 💜

[@andrewjditton]

Yes, or I'll be giving you 'The Look!' ;@)

[@adelebeattie8021]

Hopefully when we take delivery of our new Adria we will be able to come over and visit the Outer Hebrides. It looks absolutely stunning.

[@Thomas_van_Thiel]

Great Work, Andrew! I've been to Harris and Lewis at the beginning of June travelling by car and tent. Fantastic weather, very friendly locals! Greetings to Barney from Horgabost Campsite! We got a very relaxing stay at the site... To all of you: come to outer hebrides! Great Experience!

[@andrewjditton]

Well said! Glad you had a great time :)

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Wonderful 👍👍

[@D4vidSH]

Hi Andrew, thank you very much for this very interesting update. Well done (like every time) 😉 Greetings from Germany David 🖖

[@andrewjditton]

My pleasure!

[@HardcoreHighlights]

Those Ruth Bonds pieces look absolutely fantastic!

[@andrewjditton]

Yes... not sure how long I'm going to resist myself an oil bottle ;)

[@bobhalliday8934]

Many thanks again Andrew was very informative and helpful - say hi to Dougal and happy birthday 🎈

[@timsands7288]

Very informative thanks. Excited to see Uncles Croft where I have booked to stay this August

[@andrewjditton]

Have a great time!

[@michaelperkins5746]

excellent yet again

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Mick! You'll have to bring your wagon up here some day ;)

[@maryodonnell5760]

Dougal we have seen get excited for one visitor, for whom he does smile...Sophia! I don't know him well, but I'm beginning to get the impression he's not so quiet and he's putting on is bored face deliberately during these exits, like part of a comedy duo!

[@andrewjditton]

You've got him sussed Mary. When the camera goes on, so does the dour persona!

[@ManxAndy]

Great information, Thankyou👍🇮🇲💖

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Andy! And thank you for your continued support through BMC - much appreciated!

[@ManxAndy]

@@andrewjditton you’re welcome 👍🇮🇲

[@graemeroberts5730]

Nice video as usual!

[@andrewjditton]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Sooooo inviting... I continue to dream... YAM xx

[@s.keimes]

What a great moment for a new heb video. I am watching this in my tent at Kilbride campsite, South uist. I can't leave because it is raining every 5 minutes. But I still love the Isles.

[@travellingtom6091]

I dont like you. 😄

[@andrewjditton]

Oh no! Yes, the weather yesterday was pretty rough, wasn't it? Hope you're managing to get out and about in the sun today. Thanks for watching!

[@myrabeith5417]

love this video, hope to go back to Lochmaddy next year. been to all the beaches, Hosta and Sollas are lovely white sand as well.

[@andrewjditton]

Yes, Hosta is one of my favourites too! Luckily we live not too far away and get there about once a week :) Thanks for watching!

[@yourplumbingpal1225]

Fantastic video Andrew, loved it. Also loved the business promotion one you produced during the pandemic, if you are thinking about ideas, it introduced me to Uist Gin. Thank you.

[@suzydavies3817]

We have been waiting for this one🙂,we are planning to come in March 2023 🙂

[@andrewjditton]

Great stuff! Bear in mind some of the options for camping might not be open in March, but all the campsites in this update ARE open all year round so you'll be fine. Have a great trip :)

[@suzydavies3817]

@@andrewjditton thank you,got my books,map,etc,bit of a planner I am 🙂

[@nicolemurphy2629]

I’m in love with ur dog

[@andrewjditton]

That's OK, he's the reason most people watch. I'm just the chauffeur ;@)

[@garyrichardson865]

Fantabulosa! 🚗🚌😀x

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you Professor!

[@mrgari189]

Really tempted to visit on a motorbike but that would mean camping - any chance of a video that covers camping in the howter Hebrides? Congrats on the 70k subscribers - totally well deserved.

[@andrewjditton]

I'd love to do it on two wheels (check out my '12 islands in 12 hours' vid when I did it on my Thruxton). I think that would mean more exploration of pods etc, as sometimes it can get just too rough to camp. Good idea thanks... just no idea when I'l get the chance to fit that in for a while!

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I didn't catch the name of the one at 8:56 ;-) ? Great video with useful encouragement and recommendations. I need to get myself over there. I love the islands and CalaMac ferries (was on the Ardrossan-Brodick one to Arran on Saturday) and food (usually). Enjoy your new idyllic surroundings.

[@andrewjditton]

Hi, it's the Galson Business Centre. Cheers.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

@@andrewjditton Thanks. The Gaelic name looked a challenge to me😅I hike the highlands a lot and find the mountain names pronunciation has to be just a wild guess much of the time.

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

The Uig upgrade will not be a problem. That sailing is quiet in winter. I’ve been on it when only 6 passengers.

[@andrewjditton]

I think it'll be OK as long as the Lochboisdale crossing remains robust. I'm not looking forward to necessary trips to mainland and having a few hours added on!

[@Andrew-hc3xs]

Andrew what life like with the safe fill gas bottles maybe a review and demo of the product , great video as always

[@andrewjditton]

Great idea!

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

Thank you Andrew. It's great to see it all again. Does this mean I have to go back 🤓 ilona

[@andrewjditton]

I'm afraid it DOES Ilona... ;)

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

@@andrewjditton 🛥🛣🚙🏞⛽🏕 I will put it at the top of my list. 😃

[@callumswansborough1779]

Not going to lie, for my boyfriend and I, the idea of being stranded on one of the islands due to a CalMac related breakdown is actually quite appealing! 😂 Neither of us would mind missing a day or two of work.

[@andrewjditton]

Ha ha! THAT is the kind of attitude to bring! ;)

[@geecee310]

Had lunch from The Hebridean Deli a few weeks ago, then sat on a bench in warm sunshine at the nearby war memorial to eat it. The bonus was listening to locals on the next bench chatting in Gaelic.

[@andrewjditton]

I love it when things like that happen, that's what it's about!

[@mobiconcept]

Superb information and filming... looks great. One thing how do the online payments work for people visiting from outside the UK... credit card or ??? Cheers. A.,

[@andrewjditton]

Normally debit card, although some places use PayPal. The islands are very contactless-friendly since the 4G was upgraded and because of the pandemic. Thanks for watching!

[@mobiconcept]

@@andrewjditton Thx

[@RHJ-29-6]

Getting into the ‘swing’ of your videos and enjoying them. However do you know what the latest position is in regard to the site at Valtos/Riof? Is it open?

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks to ferry availability (argh!) we didn't get time on this trip to divert down to Ardroil and Kneep/Cnìp at Rìof. But it appears to be very much open and - surprise surprise - you need a booking. kneepcampsite.co.uk/

[@RHJ-29-6]

@@andrewjditton Perfect. Couldn’t find it anywhere. Top spot.

[@stevemate8729]

Very helpful, are there any LPG pumps for underslung gas tanks at any of the garages ?

[@andrewjditton]

Hi Steve, there used to be one in Stornoway but I've not been there to check since before the pandemic. And when I used to be a visitor with Gaslow, there were times when it was broken down. I think your best bet there is to find a Stornoway Facebook page (afraid I don't use Facebook!) and post a question there, or check an LPG map online and call the garage. I think it's called Campbells but not sure. Cheers!

[@stevemate8729]

@@andrewjditton Many thanks.

[@cathrynbagley8005]

What is the midge situation like on the islands? I love Scotland but the midges love me more.

[@andrewjditton]

Check out Episode 1 of the original series for an explanation about the midges - and why they're nothing to be worried about ;) Cheers!

[@darrenwilson8042]

The Ardroil site photo's featured a Mazda Bongo Frendee camper - the oddest and least threateningly named of any motor vehicle - foget yer Viper I have a Bongo Frendee lol

[@andrewjditton]

It's unpretentiousness makes it one of the coolest vans in existence simply because it is so anti-cool! :)

[@Mr356boy]

Hi Andrew, where have you moved to, we have moved up to Great Bernera, beautiful Islands, otherworldly!.

[@andrewjditton]

I'm down the road in North Uist :)

[@LisaMarli]

Sadly, my budget says all visits will be via excellent videos like yours.

[@robertclarke7711]

Brilliant segment Andrew. Hay Dougal Happy Birthday the greatest little companion around. 🎂 🥳

[@andrewjditton]

Many thanks Robert!