Eriskay

How do I get to Eriskay?   You can fly to Barra with Flybe from Belfast, Benbecula, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kirkwall, Manchester, Southampton and Stornoway. Most of these flights are via Glasgow or Benbecula. The Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry leaves from Oban on the west coast of Scotland on a daily basis and arrives at either castlebay on Barra or Lochboisdale on South UIst. There is also a Car Ferry available to Eriskay, which leaves five times a day in the summer, from Barra. There is now a causeway from South Uist to Eriskay that was opened by the Earl and Countess of Wessex in 2002. To travel throughout Scotland and the UK, you can book your tickets through The Trainline.

How do I get around Eriskay?   Eriskay is a small island, which is good for cyclists and walkers. However, you can take your car over via the Car Ferry from Barra or the causeway to South Uist. Also, there is a Bus service from Askernish that runs 6 days a week. Tours around the Outer Hebrides are available through Shearings Holidays.

What's worth visiting on Eriskay?   Eriskay Ponies, a few of which are on the island, are the last surviving remnants of the original native Ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. The Eriskay Pony is classed at critical status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Eriskay is also famous as the island where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745 and started the Jacobite rebellion.

Where can I stay on Eriskay?  Cuan Siar, Carrick and Aird Na Haun are available for self-catering accommodation on Eriskay. Also, Oir Na Mara offers Bed and Breakfast close to the causeway. You can camp rough, with permission.

Are there any books/DVD's?  Old South Uist: with Eriskay and Benbecula by Bill Innes, Eriskay Where I Was Born by Angus Edward MacInnes, A Poem of Remote Lives: Images of Eriskay, 1934 - Enigma of Werner Kissling, 1895-1988 by Michael W. Russell, Scotch on the Rocks: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore by Arthur Swinson

Any other information on Eriskay?  In 1941, the SS Politician ran aground near the coast of Eriskay. On board were over 200,000 bottles of whisky. Some of these bottles mysteriously vanished. This was the incident that was the background to the Compton Mckenzie book, 'Whisky Galore', which was later turned into a much admired film It is still possible to see 'rescued' bottles from the ship at the islands pub, 'The Am Politician'.

Other islands in Outer Hebrides: See pages for Barra, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay, Harris, Lewis, North Uist, South Uist, Taransay, Vatersay