western isles challenge

logistics outline

Updated 04 May 2000

Changes made on each update will be in green, and these changes will then revert to black on any subsequent update.  

Updates will be listed in "What's New"

Though most buses etc organised by the event are included in the race fee, ferries, meals and accommodation have to paid for directly by teams so please make sure that whoever is involved has cash ready.  Services to be paid for are marked with the symbol £££ and where known the actual cost.  We strongly suggest that you use the accommodation etc suggested

Day/Date

Location

What's Happening

Sunday 7 May

 

 

1400-1800  

Borrodale Hotel, Dalabrog 753214

Kit and canoe checks for teams and solo racers already on the islands - please come at this time if you are available, to free up time on Monday

 

By arrangement

Afternoon: Last minute sea-proficiencies can be taken - but NB these must be arranged in advance  £££ - normal rate for exam

 

Borrodale Hotel, Dalabrog 753214

Race HQ in evening

 

 

Ferry:  1550 arrival at Lochmaddy (from Uig)

 

 


 

Monday 8 May

 

 

From 0900 to 1300

Southend Community Hall 754216

Canoe and equipment checks. Canoe checks will take place in the car parks of the Hall and the Borrodale Hotel just south. 

Final ferry arrival from Uig 1130, from Harris 0940.  We strongly recommend, however, that you arrive on the Sunday or before, as there is no time for late inspection of equipment etc

1300

Southend Community Hall 754216

At this time, a decision on whether the start will be in Barra will be announced, depending on the weather.  If so, the team member to take part in the Prologue to be taken with bike to Ludag Jetty by 1345 for ferry transport to Barra, leaving Ludag 1400.  Once on the Barra side, team members to make their way to Northbay Community Hall 708032, which will also be your accommodation for the night.  Leave kit here and leave out a separate and marked bag for anything you want at Castlebay.  Make your way to Eoligarry Jetty for the start of the Prologue.

 

Ferry £££   £15 return including bike

1400 

Southend Community Hall 754216

Briefing for Team Contacts and Solo Competitors.

1445

Southend Community Hall 754216

Canoeists briefing, including solo competitors. Will end by 1530

1615

Ludag Jetty 777140

Canoeists (Team and Solo) paddle to Eoligarry Jetty, Barra.  "Prologue" to follow on arrival

1730-1800

Eoligarry, Barra

"Prologue" starts - Team and Solo. 

 

1800 Team Land Route Eoligarry/Castlebay/Vatersay

 

1730 Solo canoe/land route Eoligarry/Bruarnis/Castlebay 

 

1730 Team kayakers Eoligarry/Bruairnis  

 

Solo:  On arrival at Bruairnis, your kit will be put on a bus.  If you want you can leave two separate bags, with with kit for Castlebay – shower, change of clothes etc and one with overnight kit.  The latter will be taken straight to Northbay Hall (see below).  Your Castlebay kit will be available at the Craigard Hotel by the square at the end of the Prologue

 

Team Kayakers:  On arrival, you will go to Northbay Hall.  Transport will then be provided into Castlebay and later back to the Hall.  Please assist Solos with canoes etc

 

Team Land Athletes:  Your Castlebay kit will be available at the Craigard Hotel

Evening

Barra

Showers will be available at castlebay Pool (by School 660985)

 

Food will be available at the Craigard Hotel £££

 

Basic accommodation will be available at Northbay Hall 708032.  Bus transport will be provided from Castlebay.  You will need to take a sleeping mat and bag.  Cold breakfast things provided  £££ 6.50

Other accommodation possibilities are B&B in/near Castlebay or (for team canoeists) camping at Bruairnis (tents have to be carried over by canoeists). NB you will have to fit in with basic transport arrangements or provide your own if staying other than at Northbay.  Canoes will be watched at Bruarnis

Race HQ for those on Barra will be the Craigard Hotel. 

 

Borrodale Hotel, Daliburgh

Race HQ in the evening for those on Uists.  Results of "Prologue" will be available here at approx 2100

 

 


 

Tuesday 9 May

 

 

0500

Northbay Hall 708032

Bus for bikers to Vatersay for land start

0550-0610

Vatersay

Team Race starts

0515-0540

Bruairnis

Solo event/team paddle starts.  Paddlers to make own way from Northbay Hall

0700 on

Ludag area

Paddlers begin to arrive

Evening

Lochmaddy Hotel, North Uist

Race HQ.  Food available here £££Accommodation for Paddlers Berneray Village Hall 910813  £££ 6.50 B&B.  You will need a sleeping mat and bag.  Cold breakfast to be provided

2000

Lochmaddy Hotel

Canoeists Briefing and decision on Sound of Harris crossing.  Canoes and paddlers to be taken to Berneray following this briefing if Sound crossing on. Canoes to be left at Berneray Slip (see below) Solos as well as team paddlers to attend briefing

2130

Lochmaddy Hotel

Race Briefing - team captains and solo racers or their representatives to attend.  Results available.  

2230

Lochmaddy/Tarbert

Special ferry from Lochmaddy to Harris (Tarbert) for all except team canoeists and solo racers. 

Arrival in Tarbert approx 0015.  

It is, of course, open to teams themselves to book an earlier crossing on the Otternish/Leverburgh ferry, but please note that if they want to have the information disseminated at the Race Briefing, they must leave a representative at the Lochmaddy Hotel.

Ferry bookings, including the special Lochmaddy/Tarbert Ferry, must be made through CalMac directly in the first place (tel 01463 717680).

 

 


 

Wednesday  10 May

 

 

0545-0610

Berneray Slip 915798

Start of canoe crossing of Sound of Harris.  Transport will be provided for paddlers

0800  on

 

Paddlers start to arrive South Harris

Evening

 

Village Hall, Uig, Lewis 056345

Race HQ.   Tea and coffee etc will be available from around 1600.

 

£££  Meals will be available from 1900-2300 at £6.50/head for 3 courses. Soup and bread will be available for real latecomers at £2/head – this will not be served before 2300 pm

Floor accommodation available for a limited number, but NB there are no facilities except lavatories.  Sleeping mat and bag required.  £££ Small donation to Hall funds expected.

£££ Camping available at Traigh na Beirgh (proper site with showers etc) 103359 and at Ardroil by car park at 050329 (loos only).

Please note no alcohol allowed in the Hall

B&B also available locally - contact the Tourist Board 

2130

Village Hall, Uig

Briefing for Team Contacts and Solo competitors or their representatives

Paddlers

Scaladale Centre, Harris 187106

£££  Accommodation for the night £10 incl duvet and linen.  No meal provided, but cooking facilities available.  Please bring your own food (and drink) for evening and breakfast

 

Bus provided to morning start

 

 


 

Thursday 11 May

 

 

0630-0700

Breainis, 993262

Land start

2030 approx onwards

Stornoway, British Legion Hall

Informal post-race party.

 

£££ Hall is licensed (and cheaper than the pub!) but there will be no catering

£££  We have a special deal with the Seaforth Hotel close to the Town Hall (venue for prize-giving on Friday) for accommodation on the Thursday and Friday nights - please call the Seaforth on 01851 702740 for details

 

 


 

Friday 12 May

 

 

Day

 

Kayak, climbing, sailing and other activities may be arranged depending on interest/demand.

Details of possible activities here

0930

Seaforth Hotel, Stornoway

Team Contacts and Solo Racers or their representatives to attend in case of disputes or requirements for clarifications on timings etc

2000

Stornoway, British Legion Hall

Prize-giving and Ceilidh (Dance).  

£££ The Hall is licensed but there will be no catering

 

 


 

General Notes

 

CalMac do "Island Hopscotch" packages, where you can arrive at e.g. Lochboisdale and leave from Stornoway.  It may, however, be cheapest to do a return via Uig (i.e. arrive and Lochmaddy from Uig and depart from Tarbert to Uig after the race).  CalMac's website is here

 

 

The Tourist Board website is here with details of all accommodation, hostels, campsites etc

This update: 04 May 2000