The Outer Hebrides! (Version A+)

Version A - Its impossible to get all the Images /Data /Story in place in one go - especially since we are travelling all day / every day - until 27 Apr 14.  However, I appreciate that news is best when its fresh - so I'm putting a Version A out there to satisfy keen readers; however, please feel free to bookmark the page and come back again - there are lots of anecdotes and dozens of photo to weave in - when I can!

Change History

Version A – Basic skeleton + initial drop of photos and video!

Preamble

Firstly I need to apologize for a gap and my posting; however, telecoms on the Outer Hebrides are far from perfect.  Even wifi is not that easy to find.  So my expensive new Ipad (bought in Gateshead Metro Centre) was rendered useless for all but short text e-mails.   

I should correct my title by saying there are actually 3 Leafs on the Hebrides - all owned by the regional council.  So to be scrupulous correct we thinks we are the first short-range BEV to tour the Outer and Inner Hebrides!

Progress to Date

Wed 16 Apr 14              -    Arrive Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.

Before leaving Ullapool there were apologies over the public address system about the ship being delayed inbound and highlighting further potential delays on our outbound trip  However the ship was modern and sturdy and it concerned us little   However, as we approached Stornaway a further broadcast highighted that we would be an hour late on arrival and that all power was out on the island of Lewis   Having be given charging facilities on the ship were were relieved that  we would,at least, have plenty of range 

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Jean on the Terrace of our accommodation, at `Ravenspoint 20 miles S of Stornoway 

As you may have read in the previous post we arrived during a blackout and we knew that it was a potentially nice spot, from the map; however, nothing really prepared for the regal beauty of this particular setting 

Before us was a large bay of dark green water, whipped to a frenzy by strong winds - edged by low cliffs of grey-brown granite!

Ravenspoint is technically a 'hostel' and you may ask 'why sue the hostel system?  Firstly and principally because you cannot be sincere if you are raising money for charity and spending more that you raise on accommodation - a total contradiction?

We are also a bit averse to B&B - as starts vary greatly  Ravenspoint ticked all the boxes, with a private room and everthing else to a high standard

Thurs 17 Apr 14             -    Visit to the 'fair city' of Stornoway



Meeting with Head of Assets and Infrastructure

                                                  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (County Council for the Hebrides)

Comhairle Convener, Cllr Norman Mac Donald and Cllr Alasdair Macleod

<<  To be completed >>

-       Touring Lewis.

-       Touring Harris.

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Friday 18 Apr 14            -    Touring N.Uist

-       Touring Benbecula

-       Touring S.Uist

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The airport at Benecula

The beach near the ferry at Eriskay

  

Eriskay Resident

High above Eriskay Harbour

Eriskay Harbour and Beach

The castle at Castlebay, Barra

Islands joined by causeways

Recently restored 'des res' Benbecula 

Acknowledgments:

Caledonian MacBrayne (CMcB) Ferries

CMcB have generously supported our Help-for-Heroes initiative and have encourage us to explore the Outer and Inner Hebrides fully.  CMcB are the only ferry company in UK that are offering discounts to electric vehicles and they are also in the lead in having Rapid Chargers at several of their ports.   (I will return to the potential for Hebridean EV-roaming’ in a later blog).

Calum MacKenzie, Head of Assets and Infrastructure ( Comhairle nan Eilean Siar )

On first researching the Hebrides as a possible BEV Destination it was aparent that there was no commercial EV Infrastructure and that the only was to circulate on the islands was to seek permission from the local authority to use their facilities on the islands. An approach was made to Calum MacKenzie and permission was duly granted and we were provided with a pass key for 24/7 access.  All 4 posts were duly utilized, augmented by overnight charging at our accommodation.  This allowed us almost complete freedom to tour – at will.