Eriskay

By boat

THese ferries are all run by Caledonian MacBrayne, with subsidy to make the fares similar to road journeys.

• Barra - daily, up to 5 per day, taking 40 minutes; this ferry lands at the north end of Barra, and there are often (but not always) connecting buses to Castlebay.
• Mallaig to Lochboisdale on South Uist daily, taking 3.5 hours.
• Other possible mainland connections are to North Uist and Barra.

By air

In the Outer Hebrides, there are airports in Stornoway in Lewis, Benbecula and Barra. These airports provide direct flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. The nearest airport is in Barra, connected by ferry.

Causeways

Eriskay is linked by causeway to South Uist.

By Bus

Buses link South Uist with Benbecula, and Eriskay. As part of the Western Isles Overland Route combination of bus and ferry, you can travel in under a day from Stornoway or Castlebay on Barra.

Eriskay is small enough to explore on foot.

• St. Michael'sThe Roman Catholic church (built in 1903) sits on a hill overlooking the main village. The interior is of some interest, with the altar sitting on a boat. The site also provides a good viewpoint for looking at the island and over to South Uist. The site of the old church is marked by a roadside chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary, overlooking the Sound of Barra.

• Eriskay Poniescan sometimes be seen grassing by the roadside, but are more likely to be seen on the East side of the island.

• Beinn SciathanWalk to the top for views all over the island and of South Uist and Barra. There is a viewpoint pointing out the sites, and on a really clear day, St Kilda can be seen away.

• Bonnie Prince Charlie's BeachRelax on Bonnie Prince Charlie's Beach

• Eriskay Community Co-opa well stocked small community shop, which sells CO-OP brand products.

• The Politician

  phone: +44 1878 720246
  address: 3 Balla HS8 5JL
  Friendly pub and restaurant with good food, and sometimes live entertainment. Named after 'The Politician', the ship wrecked during the second world war with a cargo of whisky, portrayed in the film "Whisky Galore!".

The Politician and the shop are the only places to buy a drink on the island. There is sometimes live music in the evening in The Politician, and occasional events in the community hall (next the shop).

• No campsite on the island, wild camping may be allowed, enquire locally. Kilbride campsite at the south end of South Uist is only 3 miles away by road.

• Oir na Mara

  phone: +44 1878 720216
  address: 5b Baile, HS8 5JL
  2 room bed & breakfast.

• An Taigh Mor

  phone: +44 01878 720717
  address: 15B Balla
  Dog-friendly bed and breakfast.
• Self-catering places generally let from Saturday to Saturday, see tourist website.

• Aird na Haunn

  phone: +44 141 321 1326
  address: HS8 5JH

• The Flat

  phone: +44 1878 720274, +44 1540 673060
  address: 2 Village

• Carrick

  phone: +44 1878 700828
  address: 11 Bun a’ Mhuillin HS8 5JR
  Wooden 'eco' croft house set on a Hebridean croft. With wood-burning stove. Open all year, sleeps five with two double bedrooms and a single.

Head South on the ferry to Barra, or North by road to South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist then Berneray.