What to bring

If you haven't been to the Outer Hebrides before, here are a few suggestions about what to bring with you (and what not to bring).

What to bring

Most of the items in here can be bought on Berneray or nearby, should you forget.

* Camera. Essential! Berneray is a photographers paradise.

* Binoculars. For watching seals, birds, boats, and for looking at other islands and beaches.

* Sunglasses and sunlotion for much of the year. Every year, many people travel without, believing that as the Outer Hebrides is so far north, there is little chance of much hot sunshine. And every year, many of them go home in varying shades of red :-)

* Rain gear. Useful for the more wintry months of December to February, and also for other days where four seasons come and go in an hour.

* Good footwear. Berneray is best explored on foot; there are no roads on the west and northern sides anyway. Footwear that is suitable for slightly boggy ground on the hilltops and machair, especially after rain, is advisable.

* Swimwear and towel. The sea is not usually the temperature of that off Hawaii, but especially in the summer it can warm up quite nicely. The lack of pollution makes sea swimming appealing.

* A map, preferably bilingual (Gaelic and English). The Outer Hebrides is 130 miles from end to end, and there are many places, both new and historical, to explore.

* Musical instruments such as fiddles, flutes etc. If you are into ceilidhs and traditional Celtic musical events, this is the right part of the world to visit. Check out the noticeboards, or ask around, about events; you will often be very welcome to join in.

* If sailing or canoeing here, up to date sea maps to the right scale, or an expert who knows the waters of the Sound of Harris.

* Family ancestry details. The Seallam centre in Northton (across the Sound of Harris) is a main source of information on genealogy. However, most Berneray residents have a deep knowledge of their family ancestry; Berneray Historical Society also possess some information. If your ancestral name is MacAskill, MacKillop, MacLean, MacLeod, MacCuish, Munro or Paterson then you may have ancestral links with Berneray.

* Friendliness.

What not to bring

Some items are not essential...

* Food and drink. A wide selection is available in shops on North Uist. There are places where you can eat out dotted around the Outer Hebrides.

* Toiletries, personal items etc. For the same reason, you can get pretty much anything here that you can on the mainland. There is also a doctor's surgery and dentists in Lochmaddy (10 miles away) if needed.

* Utensils etc. All bed and breakfast establishments and self-catering houses are well equipped.

* Televisions and similar distractions. There are plenty of more natural things to look at around Berneray.

* Stress. Leave it on the mainland.

* Noise. Residents and visitors like the peaceful nature of the place. Having said that, residents can be persuaded towards a good, loud and well-into-the-night ceilidh...