Hebrides tour - Day 7

Hebridean Heaven:

I left Nunton House on Benbecula after a leisurely breakfast which was included in the price.  It was one of the better hostels I've stayed at on this trip but even the less salubrious ones are enjoyable as my fellow travellers have all been friendly and are often well travelled and interesting.

Today my journey south continues, on to South Uist, Eriskay and then, if I don't dawdle too long the 4:30pm ferry to Barra.  With around 45 miles to cover and not too much climbing it was again a day I could take at a leisurely pace and make the most of the continuing exceptional weather.  Apparently the hottest place in the UK yesterday was a small town called Benbecula in the remote Outer Hebrides. I just happened to be there.

 One of the causeways linking Benbecula to South Uist:

South Uist may not quite compare for scenery with areas further north but it's not too shabby!

                                                  

Any proper cyclist would have ridden up this steep side road to get a close-up photo of this sculpture. I didn't.

A little further on at a place called Milton I came across the remains of an old Black House which was the birthplace of Flora Macdonald whose assistance to the fugitive Bonnie Prince Charlie was immortalised in the song:-

"Skye Boat Song"

Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Onward the sailors cry,
Carry the lad that is born to be King,
Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the winds roar,
Thunderclouds rend the air,
baffled our foes, stand on the shore,
follow they will not dare.

Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Onward the sailors cry,
Carry the lad that is born to be King,
Over the sea to Skye.

[Instrumental]

Burned are our homes, Exile and death,
Scatter the loyal men,
yet oer the sword, cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again.

Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Onward the sailors cry,
Carry the lad that is born to be King,
Over the sea to Skye.

Over the sea to Skye.

                                           The beech at Gearraidh ma Monadh on South Uist:

                                        Leaving South Uist for Eriskay 'The Whisky Galore Isle'

Having dawdled too long as I knew I shouldn't I found myself once again a little short of time to get to the ferry for Barra.  I crossed the causeway onto Eriskay at a speed inappropriate for such glorious scenery.  Of course there was a significant climb to cause even more concern and in the heat of the afternoon sun I was very relieved to crest the rise and see the tiny ferry terminal at the bottom of a lovely flowing descent. I had time to watch the approach of the ferry to Barra, the final Isle of my journey.

                                                                Cruising to Barra:

More Seals - I need a tele-photo lens!  

I'd been told on the crossing about Barra Airport, I didn't know there was one but as it was on the beech I made the detour to take a look.  I think a flight to Barra may be one for the bucket list.

From the Airport I backtracked and then plumped for the slightly longer route around the west side of Barra. Tomorrow morning I would make the 5 hour crossing from Castlebay on Barra to Oban.  I had that 'end of tour' feeling that I know too well. I knew the culture shock that would hit me once back on the mainland even after a short tour of just a week.  Around the corner however was yet one more piece of Hebridean Heaven.