getting here and about
bernera (not berneray)
The first thing for visitors to note is that Bernera should not be confused with the island of Berneray. Great Bernera is situated on the west side of the Isle of Lewis, whereas Berneray is part of Harris and lies further south.
The Gaelic name for both islands is Beàrnaraigh: Gaelic speakers distinguish between the two islands by adding ‘Lewis’ or ‘Harris’ after the name: Beàrnaraigh Leòdhais or Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh.
Great Bernera is connected to Lewis by a short single-track bridge, while Berneray is connected to North Uist by a causeway.
Make sure you’re heading for the right island!
getting here
BY AIR
Loganair is the airline which serves our islands, connecting Stornoway to a number of UK airports. If you wish to hire a vehicle (advance booking recommended) contact Stornoway Car Hire, who offer an airport pick-up and drop-off service. For onward transport by bus, please see below.
BY SEA
The ferry operator is Caledonian MacBrayne. There are three ways of reaching the Isle of Lewis by ferry (see map above):
- From Ullapool on the Scottish mainland to Stornoway
- From Uig on the Isle of Skye to Tarbert in Harris
- From Berneray (not Bernera!) to Leverburgh in Harris
And of course, you can always bring your own boat. There are plenty of mooring opportunities in the Hebridean islands, including in Great Bernera itself!
To avoid disappointment we recommend that you make your travel arrangements well in advance of your visit. Please also be aware that ferries may be cancelled or delayed due to adverse weather conditions—it’s never 100% guaranteed that you will be able to make the sea-crossing, even in the summer months when storms are not uncommon.
BY BUS
Bus links to the ferry ports on the mainland (Ullapool and Skye) are provided by Citylink. On arriving at the ports in Lewis or Harris, or at Stornoway airport, you can reach Bernera on public buses (Service W3). Please be aware of the limited hours of this route and note that there is no service on Sundays.
calmac ferry or loganair plane
getting about
map of bernera
Once you arrive on Great Bernera, there are a number of ways of getting about our special island. Our map gives detailed information on roads, villages, amenities, walks, sites of interest and the beach, and these tips may help you get around:
TRAVELLING BY MOTOR VEHICLE
See below for driving tips if you are bringing your own (or rented) motorised transport.
CYCLIING
Bernera is a popular destination for cyclists. Although our island is not a designated stop on the Hebridean Cycling Way, many people enjoy taking the diversion to experience what Bernera has to offer. If you don’t have your own bicycle, we can provide electric bikes for hire.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT / WALKING
It is more difficult (but not impossible) to get around Bernera without your own transport. There is no internal bus service on the island and taxis would need to come from Stornoway, so your best option would be walking or hitchhiking. Don’t be afraid to flag down a car and ask for a lift— we’re very friendly folk here and will be happy to accommodate if we can.
driving on single-track roads
Once you turn off the main road and head towards Bernera, you will be travelling primarily on single-track roads with passing places. For the uninitiated, this can be a bit of a challenge, so here are a few tips for driving on single-track roads:
- Watch your speed, especially on the bends and in conditions which hinder visibility.
- Be aware of oncoming vehicles and pull into the passing places in good time.
- Be conscious of traffic behind you. Residents may be in more of a hurry to get somewhere than visitors, so please pull into the passing places to allow those driving faster than you to overtake.
- Do not obstruct the passing places. We appreciate you’d like to stop and take photos but please be mindful of the inconvenience you may be causing to other road users. Park in a safe place, even if it means walking back to the photo spot.
road hazards
To ensure the safety of yourself, other road users and our precious wildlife, please drive slowly and carefully and be aware of the following:
- Sheep, ducks and hens can often be seen lying on the warm tarmac or grazing at verges, and deer have a tendency to stray onto the road, particularly at dawn and dusk. Please slow down and give all animals a wide berth.
- Likewise, if you see horseriders on the roads, slow right down, don’t rev the engine, and wait for a suitable opportunity to pass.
- People going about their everyday business may need to park in places that could potentially obscure visibility, e.g. for postal deliveries or doing construction work. Please be patient in these cases and wait for a safe opportunity to pass.