Airport Benbecula (EGPL) IFR

Life in the Outer Hebrides is often described as “Living on the edge” and for an outsider this certainly seems true: Sparse population, all with a unique single DNA; few trees; isolated shops & eating places; and limited accommodation.. Add to that the fact that on eight bus trips I was the only person NOT speaking Gallic and you will understand the challenge of Walking The Hebridean Way. https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway/walking To do this, I started at Barra https://airfield.directory/airfield/EGPR and then came on to Benbecula.

Airfield: An old Second World War creation, it still has the feel of its military past. Two long tarmac runways with (currently) VOR/DME & NDB Approaches [I say ‘currently’ because steps are fairly advanced to replace them with RNP’s.] and friendly ATC (as far as I can work out, everyone in the tower comes from the same family!). It’s ‘military’ past, though, still lingers on because the Islands are the site of the Hebridean Rocket Range https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Sea_Range#:~:text=It%20is%20situated%20in%20the,all%20sites%20of%20the%20range. which should ensure that the airfield is maintained for many years to come.

Good parking - but bring tie-downs since the wind can be very strong here. If you come from Barra, the firemen will kindly hose down your undercarriage.

Transport: There is an infrequent Bus Sevice https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/media/15707/w17-south-uist-eriskay-to-balivanich.pdf which runs up & down the spine of the island which includes the Airfield- which can be flagged down anywhere on its route. At other times, pre-booked taxis are needed: AM/PM Taxis, Daliburgh 07957 798374; Aitken’s 01878 710333; Tam’S Taxi 07717 862999; Alda’s Taxi 01876 500215;

Accommodation: This can be quite spread out and limited and heavily booked in the summer. I found it sometimes necessary to backtrack to a previous venue in order to find a bed/food. I used: The Borrodale Hotel and The Dark Island Hotel https://www.isleshotelgroup.co.uk/ [Both in the same group]. A very well presented and highly recommended B & B near Benbecula is Borge Guest House. https://borve.scot/ Whilst staying there I used The Dark Island Hotel for sustenance.

Pit Stops: Places to get sustenance are very few and far between except for hotels (at hotel prices!). Two venues I would recommend are: In South Uist, Kilbride Cafe 9 HS8 5TT which does wonderful 'Fish & Chips'; and in Balavanich, The Stepping Stone Restaurant https://www.facebook.com/TheSteppingStoneRestaurant/