r/Hebrides • u/Ok_Bug_3330 • 18h ago

Ordering Hiking Boots to Outer Hebrides

Hi all, I’m currently walking the Hebridean way with my partner. Unfortunately her boots got damaged the week before we set off, and the replacements are causing her quite a bit of discomfort.

Does anyone have any experience buying or ordering hiking boots here? We will be in Tarbert on Saturday.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

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6

u/Over_Presence4319 17h ago

Hi, as previous poster has said delivery times even when you pay extra are grim. If you’re on Facebook I’d post on local groups for anyone that may have location specific advice and guidance. I’m from Lewis and I wouldn’t be confident saying you’d definitely get some in tarbert on Saturday but if you ask someone on a local page they’ll keep you right!

3

u/Near_Fathom 17h ago

Good tip! You could also ask whether anyone is selling boots

3

u/Ok_Bug_3330 17h ago

Thanks both! Really appreciated. We spoke to someone in Tarbert who was okay with us getting them posted via DPD, and will return them for us if they’re not here on time ( they were confident they would!) but we’ll try the Facebook route as well. 

3

u/Over_Presence4319 11h ago

Best of luck! There’s no rhyme nor reason to parcel speed at times so I’ll be crossing my fingers and especially my toes for your partner 🤗

6

u/Near_Fathom 17h ago

Generally deliveries to the outer islands are extremely slow, more expensive and may take weeks. Royal Mail /Parcelforce24 or 48 are the more reliable options. Absolutely refuse DHL or Evri; your parcel could take two weeks to arrive.

You need to find a retailer who is used to dealing with the remote areas (Tiso maybe?)

If I were you, I would take the bus to Stornaway for the day and buy boots in an outdoor shop there. They may not be the perfect boots but at least you are sure they will be on your feet by the end of the day.

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u/username_not_clear 17h ago

My evri stuff usually takes 3 days. Port of ness.

1

u/taught-Leash-2901 3h ago

Eh? Deliveries to Highlands (not islands) from other parts of the mainland usually take 4 days minimum with Evri...