Touring the Outer Hebrides, Isles of Barra and Vatersay - Part 1

This video is filmed in 4K and is part of a series touring the beautiful Outer Hebrides, Scotland in our little white motorhome.
In Part 1 we start our journey from Oban, taking the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Castlebay, Barra. Our first campsite is Borve Camping and Caravan site and it's from here we start to explore the Isles of Barra and Vatersay.
In Part 2 - we move on to Scurrival Campsite, at the other end of the Isle of Barra and discover more beautiful beaches and of course the famous Barra Airport, which has been on our bucket list for a long time. This airport is unique and believed to be the only airport in the world where scheduled flights use a tidal beach as the runway. It is a great spot to watch the flights take off and land on the sandy beach.
In Part 3 - We take a ferry to the Uists and Berneray, where we stay at two different campsites, Moorcroft Holidays and Balranald Campsite, plus a fantastic park-up next to an incredible beach on Berneray.
In Parts 4 & 5 - We explore the Isle of Harris where we stay at Pairc Niseaboist campsite, then treat ourselves to a week's stay in an apartment with stunning views overlooking Luskentyre beach, you seriously do not want to miss this, what an amazing place!
Finally, Part 6 - We move on to the Isle of Lewis before catching the ferry back to the mainland.
So if you enjoy this first video and the above is of interest to you, then please make sure you subscribe and hit the bell, so you don't miss our future episodes.
Thank you
John and Barbara

[@elgordo1148]

Were here in 21 in a motorhome, my wife and two daughtets, done from Stornoway down to N/S Uist and onto Barra. Places were incredible, so happy to have experienced it with my family. Going back in August with my bro and his family and of course, my wife and daughters, this time staying in a house for 5 nights. My sister inlaw had family ties there and is a place shes always wanted to visit, so it will have a nostalgic feel for her even though shes never been, im sure she will feel her parents when we are there, the house we have rented was actually owned by someone with family connections to her in the past, and the neighbour knew her granny so there is a good chance her parents have actually been in the very house we will all be staying at!! Had me feeling quite emotional for some reason watching this, just delighted my girls have experienced these places, maybe one day they will realise how fortunate they have been to have enjoyed such an incredibly beautiful trip here with their mum and dad when they were kids? Great video, great trip. Thanks x

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment and so glad our videos brought back happy memories of your trip to the Outer Hebrides. Such a beautiful magical place. A lovely story about your trip.... we hope to go back again one day and relive our memories!

[@janeberrisford8555]

How beautiful, thank you for sharing. Amazing footage, had a tear in my eye at times !!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comment and so glad you enjoyed the video. The sheer beauty of the Outer Hebrides at times made us feel very inspired and emotional.

[@user-ci6vf1md2u]

I AM SO VERY PROUD TO COME FROM BEAUTIFUL BARRA AND HAD A TEAR IN MY EYE WATCHING YOUR VIDEO. GROWING UP IN THE ISLAND AS A CHILD WE DID NOT APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDED US IT WAS ALL TAKEN FOR GRANTED. HOW LUCKY WERE WE BROUGHT UP WITH NO CRIME AND OUR DOORS NEVER LOCKED. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING OFF OUR PRECIOUS ISLAND.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comment, coming from someone who lives on the Islands means a lot to us. Such a wonderful place and we hope to visit the Outer Hebrides again in the future.

[@rebeccakah]

Beautiful! My partner and I intend to travel the same route you did. Fell in love with Scotland last year. Can't wait to get there. All the best and safe travels from Germany

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comment and so glad our videos have inspired you to visit the wonderful Outer Hebrides. You will not be disappointed! Fingers crossed you have good weather.

[@stephenbourne2631]

Ok, I done this journey in the reverse order to you (2003). Big mistake, I was on a bike with horrendous weather. it's a beautiful part of the world. I stayed mainly in hostels and found some in the most remote places I could have ever imagined. I cycled over mountains, along coasts into 50mph winds with massive Atlantic rollers crashing onto white sand beaches. I met fishermen, photographers, pharmacists and a few pub landlords too. It was hard work on a bike, would I do it again......if only I was fit enough! Thanks for sharing.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for your comment - sounds like you had an amazing trip! Perhaps your next trip to the Outer Hebrides could be in the comfort of a motorhome?

[@slojam100]

What a truly wonderful video... We visited in may 2022 but we're not as lucky as you seemed to have been with the weather. We went from the butt of Lewis to Castle bay . It took 2 weeks and we loved every moment.. (including the rain) Seeing this reminds me of our trip. Hopefully returning next year 🙏. Thanks for a great film

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comment. We were travelling for nearly 6 weeks going from Barra to the Isle of Lewis. We too loved the islands and hope to go back again. We hope you have a lovely trip next year and fingers crossed for good weather!🤞

[@slojam100]

@@touringforlife9806 Thank you

[@mymusic5772]

The orange plant is Crocosmia. They are perennials and will flower for a long time

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for letting us know.

[@lillianking8649]

You need to be travel agents, this is such a wonderful video telling the story and what amazing sunsets.

[@touringforlife9806]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OwenMacneil-lw9cp]

i am watching this in the isle of barra! i am a local here.

[@jennypritchard-ry9si]

Stunning footage - I feel like I've just had my own private tour from the comfort of my home.. thank you for sharing!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you Jenny, we're so glad you enjoyed it - we loved making it! We are busy working on Part 2 now.

[@sheumais63]

I happened upon this video by chance and was hooked immediately, watching the whole series back-to-back. The photography is fantastic, the scenery is beautiful, the soundtrack well chosen and the weather unexpectedly sympathetic, mostly. The standard doesn't drop throughout the series and I look forward to watching more adventures in future.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. It gives us encouragement for our next video series...and yes we were extremely lucky with the weather...most of the time!

[@muffinman2889]

Barra beach hotel 🏨 👌 stayed there with the family 😎the villas beside it are also a must especially if you get the weather 😀 get down onto the beach ⛱️

[@mheckner]

We plan to visit the Outer Hebrides in 2024. By watching your videos, we can‘t wait to get there. Perfectly done videos. Very good mix of dashcam, drone, still photos and good editing with lots of information. Thanks a lot for the lovely impressions.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you very much for your kind comment, have a great trip and we hope you have good weather like we had!

[@TwizyMan]

I found your channel by searching for Isle of Barra videos. I have watched all 6 in this series and have subscribed. Really excellent quality content. We are revisiting all these islands in our motorhome during July. I hope we have the same excellent weather that you enjoyed. Thank you for sharing these, very much appreciated.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much. We are so glad you enjoyed the series, fantastic place isn't it? Hope you have an amazing time in July. Thank you for subscribing

[@uffo200]

Excellent story telling without saying a word. Lovely video, thank you for taking me back there.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment. It's so good to hear that our videos bring back lovely memories for people!

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

Thank you, a lovely video. I like the way you made it all about the place, not about look at me in my motorhome. The drone shots are fantastic. I was in the Outer Hebrides but I didn't have time to go down to Barra. Maybe next time. ilona

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment. As you say, we want our viewers to enjoy and experience the feeling of being there... without distractions! Next time you must visit Barra & Vatersay such stunning and unique islands.

[@daddydayne]

Lovely video 😍 it's my home ❤

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much for your comment, it means a lot coming from somebody who lives on the islands.

[@tonysutton6559]

I loved Vatersay and this brings it all back to me.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment, we loved it too!

[@thomasnelson7869]

I am from the tristate area here in Tennessee with my blood line in Alabama. I have recently discovered that my ancestors before they were moved to Northern Ireland and then later to the states. My ancestors are from there. Modern Mccrary but had a different spelling centuries ago. Son of Roy was the original translation. A step to the McDonalds.

[@ChristineBaranofsky]

Love the video. We went there last summer and it was great to see all the places we went. Thanks!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment. We hope one day we will go back to these lovely Islands.

[@vivellasmum]

Fascinated by the Hebrides, Orkney & Shetland, I will watch all of your videos! Only been to Mull with a small child to visit Balamory & long to go back with that child now 24! I do hope I can buy a small motorhome to do it! Thanks for this.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment, we hope you manage to visit these beautiful Islands. You won't be disappointed!

[@sueapps81]

Amazing videos! Love the music and no talking but with the narrative on the screen. Keep the videos coming!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much.

[@philb3085]

Beautiful place great job of the editing 👍

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for your comment.

[@alistairmcgregor8820]

Good weather for the crossing. Lovely islands. We flew in to Barra so that we could do a beach landing. The Grandfather of the owner of the Hotel we stayed in was involved in "Whisky Galore"...loved it. No mention of the shipwreck off Vatersay?

[@touringforlife9806]

To fly and land on the Barra beach is on our Bucket List !

[@duncancallum]

Such a beautiful video of the Outer Hebrides ,truly beautiful scenery of a very beautiful island.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you, they are truly magical Islands!

[@katkat3156]

Words were not needed in this video! Gorgeous 💥

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you

[@philgray1023]

Excellent video folks. The weather looked perfect.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you, yes we were so lucky with the weather.

[@walkeriana01]

That's some pretty other-worldly footage!!! And by god: did you have the weather on your side for it. 😍🥰 Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for your comment and yes we were so lucky with the weather.

[@snoo333]

I think you two have created a new way to tour a place. The choice of music and editing is perfect. I really like the music choice during the driving scenes. others will see this when they watch the rest of the videos. I jumped ahead in the video series but coming back to the beginning. Don't change anything. loved the cow scene. I am watching on the highest resolution on a 86' TV. Its like being there.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments. We intend to carry on with the same approach for our next series of videos. Its great to know it looks good on a large screen. Thank you.

[@bobritasue]

@@touringforlife9806 yeeeharrrr grandpaaaaaa

[@carinafransson2994]

Wonderful video ❤thank you so much for sharing ❤❤❤

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment, so glad you enjoyed the video.

[@petergledhill8146]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I, together with dogs Dolly and Alfie, toured the Outer Hebrides a few years ago. Your video brought back many good memories.

[@touringforlife9806]

So glad you enjoyed the video. These beautiful islands have also given us so many lovely memories.

[@HartmutAlbert]

Lovely footage. We've been on the isles this May, many wonderful memories. Really great series.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment, we have brought back so many wonderful memories in our videos and photographs for us to treasure!

[@ianlea762]

John and Barbara. Fab series of films. You certainly were lucky with the weather. How long was your trip? We are planning a. Similar trip next month but only have 2 weeks. Would be good to know how long you were travelling for. Thanks again for the films, they are beautiful. Ian

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for you lovely comments, so glad you enjoyed the series. Yes we were so lucky with the weather when we went in September last year. We were on the Islands for about 4 weeks...taking our time to take it all in, such lovely Islands.

[@joeboyd8702]

Great upload of my Home. The Isle of Barra.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you that means a lot especially coming from someone from Barra! You live in such a beautiful and peaceful part of the country, coming back home to the South East was a real shock to the system.

[@bosse641]

Wonderful scenery and video. Enjoyed that.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment

[@lyndaburrzz9303]

Excellent video quality. I kept saying to my husband the picture quality is so good. Logged on to find its 4K. Reminding us of our trip back in 2013. Also Sept, but much rain. Have subscribed.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comments and for subscribing to our channel.

[@seanboyle3799]

Absolutely amazing video guys Really needing to be on this journey and I think the orange plant looks like Crocosmia we actually have some in the garden. Amazing scenery and loved the music

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment and letting us know the name of the flower, we hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

[@markneville5235]

Your videos are amazing they inspire me so much I’m going to do a trip to the outer Hebrides what time of year where you there

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment, much appreciated. We travelled end of August and into September last year, it was a great time to go and we were so lucky with the weather. Hope you make it to the Outer Hebrides, you won't be disappointed

[@user-tr8ho6de4t]

Such a beautiful video it’s made me very emotional thank you

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@steveleonard5206]

Hello from Canada! Watched the entire series on our big screen last night. Wonderful scenery and no silly chatter. Good luck with your travel adventures. We have traveled North America in various "rigs" over the past 40 years and would love to explore Europe the same way.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for your comment. Main land Europe is very much geared up for exploring by motorhome. Here in England its a bit more of a challenge! However exploring Scotland with its spectacular mountains and lakes is great for motorhomes. Hope you make it to Europe some day.

[@paulcini5849]

Fantastic videos of the outer Hebrides!! Very professional, interesting and relaxing!! Thanks for sharing

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you. We are so glad you enjoyed our videos.

[@pollypocket2081]

Absolutely stunning 🦋💖

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much for you lovely comment.

[@paul24111]

All those empty shops in Oban. Very sad days.

[@ytubechannel997]

Wow, just wow!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for comment, much appreciated.

[@worldcooking]

Splendid places and roads featured in this hit video!

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed our video.

[@amyjsinclair4220]

The orange flowers are crocosmia. Love them in my garden.

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for letting us know.

[@steveibbotson1214]

Thanks for sharing

[@touringforlife9806]

Thanks for watching!

[@claudiofuocogrey8267]

Spectacular images You are Very professional in assembling pictures and video. Result is excellent.We are from Milano Italy and our desire to visit outern hebrids is increasing year by year. Could you suggest best period from whether ? September seems good for light and nr of tourist. Thanks in advance and proceed with your trip…and video, you ll have some additional followers from Italy

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. We went beginning of September and were very very lucky with the weather - tee shirt and shorts weather which is quite unusual for the Outer Hebrides! May/June is also another popular time to travel, but it really is all down to luck with the weather, very unpredictable I'm afraid. The roads, although single track were not busy, they had lots of passing spaces and good visibility - we had no problems in our 6m motorhome. We hope you manage to visit these wonderful islands we are sure you will have a magical time!

[@SimplyGreatShots]

I have just stumbled across your channel and have watched the two videos on Barra. We are due to travel to Barra, Uist and Harris and Lewis later this year so your videos are a great insight to us. Great work on these. Could I ask please, how long would you recommend for seeing all there is to see on Barra and the other islands. Thanks and keep up the great work! 👍

[@touringforlife9806]

We are so glad you found our channel and enjoyed our videos on Barra and thank you for commenting. We hope you get a chance to watch the other videos of ours where we visit the Uists, Harris and Lewis as you will probably find these helpful and will give you more of an idea of how long to allow. You ask how long we would recommend for seeing all there is on Barra and the other islands. That is a difficult question to answer as it depends a fair bit on what sort of things you want to do and see and of course the weather. We were on the islands for a total of 5 weeks and we still didn't manage to see and film everything we wanted, so we would just say allow as much time as you possibly can, you won't regret it. The islands are amazing and we didn't want to leave. I hope you have a fabulous trip and enjoy the islands as much as we did.

[@SimplyGreatShots]

@touringforlife9806 thanks for this.

[@robertirving5293]

Know mater what anyone else says nuthing like Vatersay me and my wife been there in 04 .05 and 06 when we had are Motorhome now look's like one day we will go back. Anyway what lovely video .

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you - we hope you manage to revisit Vatersay soon.

[@Sanddancer1]

those flowers are crocosmia theyre south african and theres only about 5 varieties and only 2 in commercial use thankyou for this lovely video where my maternal family live 👍

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for letting us know.

[@raulnt1100]

I have no words to describe the beauty in this series of videos. Thank you for such brilliant editing work and for sharing this wonderful journey with us.😊😊😊

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comments which gives us so much encouragement for our next video series...coming soon.

[@thompsonross85]

The flowers at 10:18 looks like montbresia crocosmia

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your reply on the flowers.

[@ChristineStephens-dj2vm]

Amazing video what was you set up thanks enjoy

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for comment. We hope you enjoy the rest of the series...as for our equipment, we use the following;; Gopro 11 for the travelling shots from our van Canon R5 and R6 mirrorless cameras iPhones 15 pro and 13 pro DJI mini 3 Pro (Drone) Editing software: Final Cut Pro I hope this information is helpful.

[@AJ-pg6so]

Excellent... at 15:27 the cottage over the water belongs to a famous musician...

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for commenting, we didn't know that...a bit of a mystery...

[@justinjohnson2501]

Wow you guys had some amazing weather when was this?

[@touringforlife9806]

We went in September 2022 and yes we were so lucky with the weather. First week we were there, I was wearing a tee shirt and shorts !.....unheard of in the Outer Hebrides!!

[@justinjohnson2501]

@@touringforlife9806 wow thats great, we made a trip up to the highlands end of may and 1st Part of June this year and it was very warm and nice as well, thanks for the videos!!

[@sebastianconrad6142]

Thank you for making this. Very inspiring and masterly done. Looking forward to part 2. What time of year was it please?

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your lovely comments. We travelled during September last year and was extremely lucky with the weather.

[@sebastianconrad6142]

Thank you, yes the weather looked amazing.

[@craigholmes475]

Orange flowers look like mombretia

[@touringforlife9806]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[@harrythehymersholidays]

Hi, we have just come across your channel whilst looking for videos of the Outer Hebrides. I’ve subscribed and my husband has subscribed from his account as we use both for watching. We are hoping to do the Outer Hebrides in September or October. It will probably be our one and only visit so want to make the most of it. Can I ask how long you were out there for? It looks like you had beautiful weather and hardly anyone else around! Best wishes, Suzie

[@touringforlife9806]

Hi Susie - Thank you so much for subscribing to our brand new channel it means a lot to us. We were in Barra for 6 days, the Uists for 4 days and would have liked longer, Harris for 9 days and Lewis for 4 days so a total of 23 days. Yes we were really lucky with the weather and it was quiet. We travelled end of August and into September 2022. This was our second visit to Harris, we love it there and hope to go back again soon. I think September/October would be a good time to visit - I hope you have a brilliant time. Best wishes, Barbara

[@harrythehymersholidays]

@@touringforlife9806 Thank you, Barbara. :)

[@josjeboeve]

hello, in which were you there?

[@touringforlife9806]

Our trip to the Outer Hebrides was in September 2022

[@nigeladams8508]

Gorgeous, what time of year did you go

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment. We travelled end of August and into September last year, it was a great time to go and we were so lucky with the weather.

[@DunkfaeOotnAbootWiUs]

Can I ask what dates in September was this?

[@touringforlife9806]

23rd August to 24th September 2022

[@DunkfaeOotnAbootWiUs]

@touringforlife9806 thanks for replying, so quickly it really helps us , just found your channel and subscribed, great vlogs to be watched 😊

[@timshaver6957]

The flowers seem to be Montbretia ...

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you Tim

[@raymondporter2094]

​@@touringforlife9806Also known as Crocosmia (both names apply).

[@moshihus]

Flowers look like crocosmia (?)....small perennial bulbs

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you

[@AndrewandBarbara]

Just come across your channel and watched this. Currently watching part 2.What a beautiful video . Really enjoyed watching it. Barra is somewhere where we want to go in the near future. We have subscribed too. Pop over and check us out. A&B.x

[@touringforlife9806]

Thank you for your comment and subscribing. We are so glad you enjoy the video and hope you enjoy the rest of the series. We really hope you manage to travel to the Outer Hebrides... beautiful islands, you will not be disappointed! Will check you out 👍.

[@Hundredakerwood439]

File under "excellent "

[@marksparboe1842]

Great video . But please stop all the annoying music and let the video talk for itself .

[@Chief_Brody]

Lose the music. I couldn't watch more than 5 minutes.

[@ronflynn5043]

your choice of music does not blend in, asdoes that of steve marsh, but tends to interfere...

[@colinkey7094]

Totally spoiled by the irritating music.

[@philgray1023]

I found this key on my remote control, my son calls it the STFU button. I think it has a speaker with a line through it. It helps to silence negative commentary, music you don't like, views different from your own, but it does nothing for the written word though.

[@bobritasue]

cowaaaabungaaaaa