Since arriving on Barra at the start of June, we have spent most of our time either working or going to the beach for swims and walks with Izzy. Last week, we realised that we hadn’t left the island for 2 months so we planned a trip to Eriskay and Uist for our next day off.

We started our journey at the Ardmhor Ferry Terminal on Barra and caught the 7am crossing to Eriskay. The wee ferry used for this crossing does get fully booked in the summer months so if you are planning a trip like this, plan ahead. The price for a car, two adults and for Izzy to stay in the car was less than £40 for a return and takes around 40 minutes. You can either remain in your car, stand out on deck or use the small (and draughty) passenger lounge. We saw seals, gannets, guillemots and other sea birds so it is definitely worth standing out on deck if the weather allows.

Our first recommendation would be to either have breakfast before you leave or take a packed breakfast with you. We struggled to find somewhere to eat this early and ended up having a huge breakfast at the Loch Boisdale hotel which was delicious, but be mindful that if the hotel is full they may not be able to accommodate you.

When you disembark the ferry on Eriskay, follow the signs for South Uist and head over the causeway. Continue north up the Isle of South Uist and head to the the statue of ‘Our Lady of the Isles” for your first stop (and the most northern one we are recommending for a quick trip). The statue itself is impressive, but the real reason for the stop is the view. It offers a spectacular vista over South Uist and Benbecula and we were lucky enough to see the resident pair of golden eagles soaring overhead.

From here, head south and take the second left (at the RSPB sign) toward Loch Druidibeg. Along this stunning stretch of road you are able to spot the Uist wild ponies. These are Shetland ponies and are cared for all year to ensure they are healthy but they have not been domesticated. Do not feed the ponies- however because they have been fed before by naughty tourists, if you pull up at the side of the road they will pose for pictures.

Follow this road past the woodland (a great place to stretch the legs) until you reach a fork in the road, head to the right and follow along. Park in safe place and walk to the end of the track. You have reached Wizards Pool with views over the Minch to Skye and Canna. Spend as much time as you’d like here enjoying the view before heading back past the lochs and ponies.

Turn left back onto the main road and continue until you find the Kildonan Museum. This is an interesting community museum, costs just £5 per adult to enter and is a great way to learn more about island life. Whilst there ask for tips on finding the Iron Age wheel house near Kildonan beach; it is not far and includes a lovely little walk over the machair.

By this part of the day you maybe starting to feel a little peckish, so head to the Co-op at Daliburgh to pick up some lunch to eat at the picnic benches on Daliburgh beach. Park up by the cemetery and walk across the dunes to the picnic benches via the ancient roundhouses, another interesting archeological site. The views over the Atlantic from the top of the dunes are fantastic and keep looking for seals near the shore line. This is also a great spot for seeing oyster catchers if you haven’t spotted them already.

Our next suggestion would be to head to the standing stone at the Pollachar Inn. This is a great place to look out over the sound of Barra and you might even see a plane coming in to land on the worlds only scheduled landing strip on a beach. Continue south over the causeway to Eriskay and visit St Michaels church. The church itself is lovely but the real reason for heading up the lane is the view of the causeway, the turquoise waters and the hills of South Uist. We then went on a hunt for a suitable place to wild camp. The wind was coming from the east so we looked on the south west of the island (we use the Windy app for checking the weather) and found an ideal spot overlooking Prince Charles Beach on the opposite side to the ferry terminal. Remember when looking for somewhere to wild camp follow the rules, be considerate, and leave no trace of your visit.

A great place for a wild swim, if conditions allow, is the beach behind the AM Politician pub. Have a dip, then warm up with a pint- the perfect activity. We had dinner at the pub (which was delicious) and then headed back to camp to wind down for the evening. Although Eriskay is small, it is packed with truly stunning beaches and hill walks. The west-facing coast also offers amazing sunset views.

The next morning Daisie and Izzy went for a swim on Prince Charles beach and James had a well earned lie in. We went to the Kilbride cafe for breakfast (just back over the causeway) and then parked in Parks on the east side of Eriskay and went for a walk out past the end of the bay. We headed back to the ferry terminal caught the 12.40 crossing back to Barra. We can’t wait for our next trip across the sound of Barra and we are very keen to explore more northern parts of the Western Isles. Until then, however, we still have plenty to see and do on Barra and Vatersay.