Travellers’ tales: Hebridean e-biking
Where: Western Isles, Scotland
Who: Sarah Johnson
When: September 2025
In autumn 2025 I had a wonderful time riding the Hebridean Way on Bluebell, my electric G Line Brompton. After a train trip from Chester to Oban, there was a five-hour ferry journey.
I rode over the causeway to Vatersay to get to the start of the route, but missed the sign for the ferry terminal at Loch Baghasdail and pedalled around the whole of Barra. I caught the next ferry. By this time The Politician pub of Whisky Galore fame on Eriskay was open.
I met many kind people … a lady I spoke to one breakfast drove me from Ullapool to Inverness
A combination of weight, wind gusts and hills drained the battery on two days of my trip. The long road to Stornoway, although not officially part of the route, was essential for the return ferry. It was relentless, with a strong headwind and rain stinging my face.
I met many kind people. Four cyclists invited me to a film screening, and Julia, a lady I spoke to one breakfast, drove me from Ullapool to Inverness, saving me from cycling 37 miles on the A835.
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