BARRA TO STORNOWAY WITH MARLOW IN TOW by Bee, Fi and Marlow the Dog
I remember stepping off the boat in Leverburgh and feeling awfully proud of the two of us; even at that point, with one full and very testing day ahead. We’d come a long way together – literally – on two bikes, chauffeuring my little pooch Marlow across the Outer Hebrides. Fi’s grandparents were from this part of the world, and we’d made the trip in their memory, to raise a little money for a charity close to their hearts. One hundred and thirty nine miles in total... one-three- nine! Although it definitely felt like more. A ferry to Barra’s Castlebay from Oban; a cycle up to Ardmhòr for the ferry to Eriskay; then a whopping two-day effort through South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist up to Berneray, in order to catch the boat to Harris. The final stretch would take us up over the North Harris Hills and down to Stornoway.
Truth be told, it was an incredible effort matched only by some incredibly beautiful scenery. Shattered by the end, we stretched ourselves out in Stornoway harbour as the ferry appeared in the distance. Fi rolled our bikes on board while Marlow and I made a beeline for the restaurant. After all, one hundred and thirty nine miles is hungry work!
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