cycling in Barra & the Uists

Our recent cycling/camping holiday in the Western Isles. We took the ferry from Oban to Barra, cycled over to Vatersay, back up through Barra, ferry to Eriskay, over the causeway and up through South Uist, around Benbecula and Grimsay, and finally around the west and north of North Uist before getting the ferry from Lochmaddy to Skye. Unlike most cyclists we met (who were getting from A to B the quickest route possible) we took in as many diversions as we could and had a fantastic time.

waiting for the ferry in Oban

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camping on Vatersay


over the machair to the beach on Vatersay

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Castlebay - with Kisimul Castle in background

in the north of Barra

Tràigh Mhòr, Barra. Just to the left - the famous beach airstrip.

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camping spot, Eoligarry in the north of Barra (on the longest day)

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Crossing one of the many causeways linking these islands together. This one links Eriskay to South Uist.

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Our Lady of the Isles, South Uist

wine & smoked salmon on the shore at Balivanich, Benbecula

Grimsay, lovely Grimsay

Eaval (highest point in North Uist). Didn't climb it this time but it has the most amazing views at the top

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Trinity Temple (Teampull na Trionad), Carinish

looking over to Baleshare (where my mother is from) - connected by a causeway to North Uist in the 60s

fat juicy Kallin scallops

the beach at Hosta, North Uist - camping spot for the night

tràigh Ear (from Grenitote)

heading out along the peninsula

Udal Peninsula

camping in Lochmaddy

Top tips for Hebridean cycle happiness....

1- Go with the wind if you can. We were very lucky to have the wind behind us up through South Uist. The week before it was coming from the north.

2- Let cars get past. Lots of single track roads so stop at the side when you see a car coming (or hear one behind you). You're on holiday, others have places to go.

3- Salar flaky smoked salmon, Kallin scallops, Hebridean Smokehouse, MacLeans oatcakes, Am Politician - Eriskay (don't be put off by the exterior), Polochar Inn, tea stops at Kildonan Cafe & Museum, Claddach Kirkibost Centre/Cafe, Taigh Chearsabhagh/Cafe,.......

And one for camping...

4- Whisky

ps. Big thanks to Fergus for giving us a lift to Crianlarich to meet the train for Oban (all for the price of a Lorne sausage roll), Ally & Suzie for allowing us to gatecrash their own holiday not once but twice in the space of a week, my Aunty Kate-Effie for the pit-stop of shower and cup of tea, and Mike from the Isle of Skye brewery for meeting us at the ferry and delivering our bikes back to Perth. What stars!

pi. pouffe

Been having a few computer problems here of late (hence the lack of posts) - but whilst it's possible - here are some images of the fabulous Fun Makes Good Pi.Pouffe similiar to the one we have in the shop at the moment. Our one is the extra tall version so it a bit taller than the one shown. At 50cm x 50cm x 40cm it's the perfect height for sitting on or for putting your feet up on (trust me I've tried it out). Made from leather, cotton and hand dyed cotton satin patchwork (and it contains a removable bean bag liner that can be topped up in future with polystyrene beans if desired).

Fun Makes Good Pi. Pouffe (50cm x 50cm x 40cm; leather, cotton, hand dyed cotton satin) £120

boo vake will be taking a wee break next week and so we will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
BUT we're back open on Saturday 26th as normal.

fun makes good

Really lovely leather petal brooches, bow brooches and keyrings from the very talented Glasgow based designer Eleanor Young (Fun Makes Good) now in the shop! Eleanor does some amazing upholstery and reworked furniture, which is well worth checking out if you haven't seen it before, and we'll soon be getting one of her fabulous Pi.Pouffes which I'm really rather excited about.
prices from £10-£14

weekends

Weekends can be very short when you work in a shop. A few recent ones....

Jazz night at Blair Drummond Safari Park. Music, picnic, penguins, dancing, dodgems, & the big blue wavy slide thing. Very exciting! Finishing off with high-kicking to New York, New York.

Atholl Highlanders Ball and Atholl Gathering (the following day) in Blair Atholl. All the usual events (dancing, tossing the caber, tug-of-war etc) with a bit of wrestling and vintage Skoda pulling thrown in. Ken (my man) can just be seen behind the guy with the big drum (and up top 3rd from right in the 'Highlanders' race) -whilst I retreat up the hill to feed my hangover chips and curry sauce.

zixiao chang

Some of the lovely screenprinted brooches we have in the shop from printmaker Zixiao Chang, a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art.

Each mounted on their own polka dot card, and a bargain at just £6 each.

hello lovely

A few more of the mugs we have at boo vake at the moment. These birdie ones are designed by textile designer Theresa Cole (aka Theresa Green Design) in two wraparound designs.
bone china mugs £8

more gillian kyle

A new delivery of printed goodies from Gillian Kyle... including navy and foil bags with her fab Creamola Foam* design (*mostly consumed straight from tin into mouth, I remember), blue foil version of the Scottish Plain bag, and a wee top up of all the favourite bags, aprons & teatowels.

navy creamola foam bag £11, pink russian doll bag (not shown) £11, pink foil creamola foam bag £17.50, blue foil scottish plain bag £17.50

gillian kyle & mr ps mugs

We've been going a bit mug daft here at boo vake recently with the arrival of a whole load of new bone china mugs by some of our favourite designers. Amongst which are these pleasingly substantial ones from Gillian Kyle and Mr Ps - a proper mug of tea size.

And if you so desire you can always get a matching tea towel too.

big bone china mugs £1

meet the maker evening

A pic from last night's meet the maker evening with ceramic artist Ceri White. Ceri even did an interview with Perth FM during the evening. What a pro! Thanks to everybody who managed to make it along.

Ceri (above) with some of her work behind her. On display are lots of small pieces that we don't usually have here at boo vake including many small hanging tiles, soap dishes, and a whole range of ceramic badges with owls, dogs, abstract designs & demi-wave ladies on them! We also have the very striking big brother of the urban mosaic - measuring about 33cm x 33cm. The (mini) exhibition will run now until the shop closes on Wednesday May 26th (yes, that's next Wednesday!).
coasters £7.50, small hanging tiles (flock animal, landscape, boats, vessel, ivory towers) start at £9, ceramic badges from £10, soap dishes £20-£22, large urban mosaic £150

this thursday...

Come along if you can make it - we'd love to see you!

sanna annukka

New cards, postcards, giftwrap & notebooks by English/Finnish designer Sanna Annukka now in the shop.

prices from 75p-£3.90

images from 1973

new supplier - la la loop

Some of the lovely knitted accessories & scarves we now have in stock from Lorraine @ la la loop. Brooches, lavender pouches, pin poms, hot water bottles, pom pom necklaces, skinny scarves.....all in fabulous fresh colours (and all beautifully made).

Technically Lorraine's not really a new supplier as we have had her work here before (many years ago) but so glad to see her back making beautiful things again.

Thanks Lorrraine (and hope your wee bird is doing well).

brooches £8, pin poms £8, lavender pillows £8, lavender pouches £12, pom pom necklaces £15-£30, skinny tuck scarves £20, bumpy scarves £30, skinny pom scarf £25, hottie £30

ceri white mini exhibition

It's May!!... and Perth Festival of the Arts will soon be upon us. This year boo vake will be taking part with a mini exhibition by Perthshire ceramic artist Ceri White between 20th-26th May. You will no doubt be familiar with Ceri's fabulous dog/horse/stag 'flock' wall tiles and colourful mix'n'match ceramic coasters if you are a regular visitor to the shop. Ceri will be showing a range of work not usually shown here at boo vake and there will be an opportunity to commission work from her direct on the evening of May 20th. Fancy a tile made of your favourite pooch or have a tiling project in mind - now is your chance!

More details coming soon.....

www.ceriwhite.blogspot.com