Outer Hebrides: Nature & Celtic Culture

Programme

Day 1: Cairngorms and the Northwest Highlands

Arrival in Edinburgh (alternatively Inverness). Today’s journey takes you through the heather-covered plateaus of the Cairngorms National Park. The largest national park in the United Kingdom boasts a spectacular landscape and provides a unique habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. The Pass of Drumochter is a main mountain pass in the Central Scottish Highlands and the only gap suitable for road traffic for almost 70 miles. You will pass Dalwhinnie, where Scotland’s highest distillery is situated. In Inverness – capital of the Highlands – you will cross the Moray Firth. From here the journey takes you through the wild and barren Northwestern Highlands, one of Europe’s most sparsely populated regions. Distance: 210 miles, Driving Time: about 4-4.5 hrs. Accommodation: Ullapool

Day 2: Ullapool and Lewis

In the morning visit the seaside town Ullapool, where whitewashed cottages hug the coastline around Loch Broom and its small fishing harbour.. Despite its small size, it’s the largest settlement for many miles around and an important port and tourist destination. The village is known for its lively folk music scene and is a centre for Gaelic music, arts and language. The ferry journey to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides is a highlight of the trip. Situated far out in the Atlantic, the Scottish Western Isles of the Outer Hebrides are a diverse chain of inter-connected islands with a unique way of life. Experience the peace and tranquility of this isolated environment shaped by the rough forces of nature. Accommodation: Isle of Lewis

Day 3: Isle of Lewis, prehistory and Great Bernera

Take a drive around the island and discover historic places like the Callanish Stones, the Dun Carloway broch and traditional blackhouses at Gearrannan Black House village. Lewis and Harris are the largest island of the Outer Hebrides archipelago. Due to its flatter topography and more fertile land, Lewis is home to three-quarters of the population of the Western Isles and home to the largest settlement – Stornoway. The Gaelic culture is still very much alive in this part of the world and even though most people speak English, the Gaelic language is widely used in everyday life. Spend the afternoon on the neighbouring island Great Bernera, linked to Lewis by a road bridge. A walk leads you to a beautiful sandy beach where you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity amidst spectacular scenery. Accommodation: Isle of Lewis

Day 4: Isle of Harris, Harris Tweed and idyllic beaches

The south-east coast of Harris is deeply indented by sea lochs and contains some of the rockiest low-level scenery anywhere in Scotland. In 1897 a road was built along the coast, linking the many tiny settlements, which where before only accessible by boat, together. This east coast road is widely known as the Golden Road, apparently because of the very high cost of building it through this very difficult terrain. The west coast of Harris is famed for its stunning caribbean style beaches. Harris is known all over the world for its famous Tweed, which is still to this day handwoven by islanders at their homes. Visit one of the Tweed mills to learn more about the cloth that has kept the islanders warm and protected from the harsh climate for centuries. Accommodation: Isle of Harris

Day 5: South and North Uist

In the morning you take the ferry the Uists, an island group consisting of various small and tiny islands, linked by causeways and local ferries. You will fall in love with the wild landscape, powder-white beaches and the peaceful remoteness – life is slow here. While the west coast has a lot of farmland, small villages and crofts, the rugged landscape of the east coast, with its deep cutting fjords, makes settlements nearly impossible, which is why wildlife is flourishing here. Find seals sunbathing on the rocks, go bird spotting on South Uist or visit the Balranald Nature Reserve. Accommodation: North or South Uist

Day 6: The Isle of Skye and West Highlands

Today you take the ferry from Tarbert over to the magical Isle of Skye. The Cuillin mountain range, picturesque fishing villages, waterfalls and thatched cottages – every view is a great view! Visit the truly spectacular Quiraing Massive, with its distinctive landscape an icon of Scotland. Rock formations like The Needle, The Table and The Prison in ever-changing lighting conditions provide superb motives to be captured with your camera. In the afternoon step back in time at the “Museum of Island Life” in the north of the island. Here, traditional thatched blackhouses have been restored and offer visitors a unique experience and a true insight into island life 100 years ago. Or visit the Talisker distillery, which produces the famous island whisky. Accommodation: Isle of Skye

Day 7: Fife Sisters of Kintail and Fort William

In the morning you can visit Eilean Donan Castle. Being one of the most photographed castles in the world, the site has also been used as setting in a variety of movies, most famously the 1986 film “Highlander”. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, the castle is only accessible via s small stone bridge and is one of the most visited and important attraction in the Scottish Highlands. Through the beautiful Glen Garry and past the majestic mountain rage of the „Fife Sisters of Kintail“ you will reach Fort William, the hiking capital of Scotland at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. Take the shorter route through the Cairngorms National Park or the longer but more dramatic route through Glencoe back to Edinburgh, where your tour ends. Distance: 230-250 miles, Driving Time: about 5-5.5 hrs

Services

Tour includes

• 6 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B or hotel accommodation (en-suite)
• Scottish breakfast
• hire car for 7 days from/to airport including damage waiver, Sat Nav and 2 drivers
• ferry Ullapool – Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
• ferry Leverburgh – Berneray (Isle of Harris to North Uist)
• ferry Lochmaddy – Uig (Uist to Skye)
• Scotland road map
• comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flights
• lunch and dinner
• fuel
• admissions

Optional add-ons

• £ pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow B&B, based on 2 people sharing (£ single supplement)
• £ pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow hotel, based on 2 people sharing (£ single supplement)
• £ per day car hire extension
• from £ pp Royal Military Tattoo tickets (subject to availability)

Additional Information

Duration: 7 days
Participants: from 2 pax
Start: Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness Airport
Finish: Edinburgh/Glasgow/Inverness Airport

This tour can also be done as a walking tour.

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, and the information pack is compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for the information pack to be delivered (postal delivery can take on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

Dates & Prices

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