Introduction

Details on all modes of transport to and from the islands can be found on the Comhairle’s Travel Information pages. As transport is a key element in the economic development of all communities, the Comhairle has and will continue to develop a range of transport policies aimed at improving links from the mainland and within the islands. The total public road mileage is 1,182km.

All bus services in the Western isles operate with the financial support of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. These services are provided by a number of local bus operators including the Post Office who operate post buses. The integration of school and stage bus services in 1996 has resulted in an increase in services to many rural communities and recent new contracts have sought to further improve the quality of services provided. A concessionary fare scheme, for certain passengers, also has financial support from the Comhairle.

The Comhairle owns and manages the Stornoway Bus Station. Staff are available during office hours to provide detailed information on all local services throughout the islands

Islands - Mainland

Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd operates large roll-on roll-off ferries with financial support from the UK Government. Ferries operate between Castlebay (Barra) and Oban, Lochboisdale (South Uist) and Oban, Lochmaddy (North Uist) and Uig (Skye), Tarbet and Uig and Stornoway and Ullapool. A summer service also operates between Lochboisdale, Castlebay and Mallaig. These ferries provide an almost daily service all year round with increased sailing frequencies in the summer months. They carry the largest of road vehicles plus coaches, private cars, cycles and of course foot passengers. Bus timetables are co-ordinated to ensure services on the islands and mainland ports connect with daytime ferry sailings. At the mainland ports, buses convey passengers to Inverness and Glasgow.

Daily flights operate from Glasgow to Stornoway and Benbecula, and from Edinburgh via Inverness to Stornoway. Flights also operate from Glasgow to Barra and Stornoway to Aberdeen. A twice-daily weekday air service is also operated between Stornoway and Benbecula. It is possible to travel to London in only 2½ hours from Stornoway via Glasgow. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) operate the three airports on the Western Isles (Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra). Flights are generally operated through Highland Airways, British Airways or LoganAir on behalf of British Airways.

Inter-Islands Services

Caledonian MacBrayne operates a vehicular ferry service from: Uig (Skye) to Tarbert (Harris) and Lochmaddy (North Uist); Leverburgh (Harris) to Berneray (for North Uist); Eriskay (for South Uist) to Barra; and Barra to Lochboisdale (South Uist)

The following islands are connected by road causeways:

• Vatersay and Barra
• South Uist and Benbecula
• Benbecula and North Uist
• North Uist and Berneray
• South Uist and Eriskay