As the Hebridean Way cycling route is linear, many cyclists choose to ride back from the Butt of Lewis to Castlebay before taking the ferry to Oban. However, if you’d prefer not to cycle the return journey, there are several alternative options available.
Getting back to Stornoway
- Contact Bespoke Bicycle Hebrides - they do bike transfers
- Local bus from Ness to Stornoway (about 1 hour)
- Contact Hebridean Travel - they do bike transfers
- Cycle back to Stornoway (26 miles)
Getting back to Oban
- Bespoke Bicycle Hebrides - based in Stornoway, they do bike transfers back to Castlebay for you and your bike.
- Ticket to ride – a mainland-based company who are a "cycle taxi" firm who will transport your bike on the mainland. You can travel to and from the Outer Hebrides with their mainland transfer service for cyclists between Inverness, Ullapool and Oban, they also offer bike hire and cycling holidays.
- Hebridean Travel – Lewis-based company who will take you and your bike back from Butt of Lewis to Eriskay.
Getting back to Inverness/Glasgow/Edinburgh
- Ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. Citylink bus to Inverness (remember it will only take 2 bikes). Onward travel by train to Glasgow/Edinburgh.
- Ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. Ticket to ride will also take you to Inverness
- Ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. Cycle to Garve (approx. 30 miles). Train from Garve to Inverness. Or cycle to Inverness from Ullapool (approx. 56 miles). Train onwards from Inverness.
- Cycle from Stornoway to Tarbert (approx. 35 miles). Ferry from Tarbert to Uig, Skye. Citylink bus from Uig to Glasgo (only takes 2 bikes).
Haulage Companies
You could arrange with a local haulage company to take your bikes back. Try Hebridean Haulage, Woody’s Express and DR Macleod (DFDS).
Points to note:
- Please book your bike on ALL the ferries to avoid disappointment. It is free to take your bike, you just need to purchase a passenger ticket.
- Citylink buses have 2 spaces for bikes between Glasgow - Uig and Ullapool - Inverness. A free bike space can be reserved as an "Additional Hold Item" when buying a ticket online and you get a "bike sock" to protect your wheels and chain whilst in the bus hold.
- Trains also need to be booked as there are limited spaces for bikes.
- Local buses in Lewis and Harris have limited capacity for bicycles, and whether a bike can be taken on board will depend on how full the bus is at the time. You’ll need to speak to the driver on the day. These buses operate on a turn-up-and-go basis and cannot be booked in advance – please refer to the bus timetables for more information.
- In general, buses in Uist and Barra are unable to accommodate bicycles due to lack of space.
