ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The Hebrides – Inner and Outer – Episode 1:
John introduces the first episode of his Unique Scotland podcast on his Outer Hebrides trip as the beginning of a family adventure. Travelling with Pam, their Spaniel Minnie, and friends Irina and Philip and their two boys, Nicholas and Lucas, the journey had been meticulously planned for months. The intention was to travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport, collect the family, continue to Oban and take the ferry directly to Barra, beginning an island-hopping journey through the Outer Hebrides. As John reminds us, however, the best travel stories are often the ones that don't go according to plan. Best laid plans.....
The journey west begins with the family reunion at Glasgow Airport before heading towards the Highlands. The first stop is the beautiful conservation village of Luss on Loch Lomond where early Christian traditions are associated with Saint Kessog to its medieval Clan Colquhoun grave slabs and Viking connections. The route then continues through Tarbet and Arrochar, over the historic Rest and Be Thankful, before reaching Inveraray on Loch Fyne. Here the party admires Inveraray Castle and its planned town, while the boys particularly enjoy the atmospheric Inveraray Jail, bringing nineteenth-century justice vividly to life.
The real drama begins in Oban, the traditional "Gateway to the Isles". The problem is not the weather but the shortage of available CalMac vessels, highlighting the wider importance—and continuing problems—of Scotland's island ferry network. A refund is offered, but with hotels, flights and the entire holiday depending on the crossing, John decides that simply abandoning the trip is not an option. Instead, the family accepts a rerouting via Skye, turning a major disappointment into an unexpected opportunity.
The revised journey takes them north through Fort William and Glenfinnan, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. Nearby is the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalised by the Harry Potter films. The road continues along the spectacular Road to the Isles to Mallaig, where the family boards the ferry to Armadale on Skye.
Arriving on Skye, the unexpected diversion becomes a highlight in its own right. The group travels through Sleat, visits Armadale castle and learns about the powerful MacDonald Lords of the Isles before continuing towards Broadford and the dramatic Cuillin Hills. With storm 'Dave' following hard on their heels, the family finally make it to Uig where they spend the night before catching the next ferry to Barra on the Outer Hebrides. However, with more surprises in store, the story continues in the next episode…..
