Bus Services
Western Isles Bus Timetables :
Summer 2013
Lewis : from 29 March to 19 October 2013
Harris, Uists and Barra : from 29 March to 14 August 2013
(Unless otherwise stated)
Lewis and Harris
Services throughout Lewis and Harris run either direct to Stornoway, or offer connection to/from Stornoway. Most services run Monday to Saturday. Bus fares are inexpensive with through fares available on many connecting buses. Day Returns offer a discount and are available for all journeys which return to the same start point.
See W2 and W10 for the more popular destinations. Please refer to the relevant tables for full details and do read the timetables carefully, as certain journeys do not operate every day, and parts of some routes run only on request. If in doubt, please check in advance with Stornoway Bus Station (01851 704327). In addition, you are strongly advised to check time and pick-up point for return journey.
North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay
Services on the Uists, Benbecula and Eriskay are geared around the main spine road and from Berneray to Balivanich and Eriskay. Services are not as frequent as on Lewis, reflecting the lower population, with the majority of bus services operating Mondays to Saturdays. Bus fares are inexpensive with through fares available on many connecting services. Day returns offer a discount and are available for all journeys.
On North Uist, certain journeys link to/from Berneray for ferry connections to Harris, whilst on South Uist certain journeys link to/from Ceann a Gharraidh for the Sound of Barra ferry. Generally all other services connect into the spine route and buses from the West Side of North Uist (Tigharry and Bayhead), Locheport and Baleshare connect where possible at Clachan. Some Lochboisdale buses connect at Daliburgh.
Those arriving on the island by air or ferry during the day will generally find that there is a bus service to take them to most destinations, though the complexities of serving an airport and four ferry ports along with meeting school and shopping needs are such that direct connections are not always possible.
Do read the timetables carefully as certain journeys do not operate every day. Parts of some routes run only on request. If you are unsure you should check with the operator (telephone numbers are are supplied on most timetables). In addition, you are strongly advised to check the time and pick-up point for your return journey with the driver.
Barra
There are three bus routes on Barra. Table W32 covers the two routes from Castlebay via east and west sides of the island with both routes extending to the north taking in Northbay, Traigh Mhor Airport, Airdmhor Slipway and Eoligarry, and either via Brevig and the east coast, or via Borve and the west coast, arriving in Castlebay.
Service W33 covers the Castlebay to Vatersay service. Bus fares are inexpensive and day returns offer a discount. Some services operate to meet flights to/from Glasgow and Benbecula. The timetables are complicated by the fact that flight times are dependent on the tide at Traigh Mhor.
Overland Route
Why not travel on the Western Isles Overland Route : Port of Ness - Barra. By Bus and Inter Island ferry, travel the length of the Western Isles. See Northbound and Southbound for a summary of services although others are available.
