A GRAND TOUR OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES

EXAMPLE ITINERARY (some dates will operate in reverse)

DAY 1 We depart from our designated pick-up points, stopping en-route for refreshments (not included) and travel to Mallaig. From here we take the ferry to South Uist, with dinner served on board. Look out for the Small Isles of Rum and Canna, as well as the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye. On arrival we continue to Benbecula, our base for the next two nights. Meals include: Dinner

DAY 2 After our full Scottish breakfast , we depart for Barra, travelling via the little island of Eriskay. From here, we make the short ferry crossing to Barra and have a tour of the island, including a visit by boat to Kisimul Castle, the only surviving medieval castle in the Western Isles. We will also visit Cockleshell Beach, the unique runway whose use is governed by the tides. We return via the Eriskay ferry to our hotel. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3 After breakfast we check out of the hotel and take the ferry from Berneray to Harris and visit St Clement’s Church at Rodel. There are outstanding views as we travel along the coast, including the island of Taransay of ‘Castaway’ fame, and the wonderful beaches at Scarasta, Horgabost, Borve and of course Luskentyre, which was voted among the world’s 25 Top Beaches in 2020. We will pause for refreshments (not included) in Tarbert, before continuing to the rolling moorland of Lewis. We continue to the island capital of Stornoway and our comfortable accommodation at the Cabarfeidh Hotel. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4 This morning after breakfast we will travel to the west coast of Lewis for a visit to the 5,000 year old Standing Stones of Callanish. Entry to the Visitor Centre is included. From here we move on to the Black Houses at Gearrannan, typical of the crofting settlements which until relatively recently were found throughout the Western Isles. The final visit on our circular tour is the Norse Mill at Shawbost, a reconstruction of the type of grain mill used originally by Viking settlers and by islanders up until the 1930s. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 This morning, following breakfast, we shall visit Lews Castle. This afternoon we will visit St Columba’s Ui Church at Point, just outside Stornoway, one of the most important archaeological sites on the Isle of Lewis. We then drive up to the most northerly tip of the island, home to generations of sturdy seafarers. At the Port of Ness we will see the harbour and at the Butt of Lewis, we will view the unique Stevenson lighthouse. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 This morning we take the early morning ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool (breakfast will be served on board). We then continue back at our original pickup points in the afternoon. Meals include: Breakfast

Our extended tour of the Hebrides has proved extremely popular, offering as it does a unique opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the Western Isles. Our Grand tour takes in all the beauty and diversity of this very special environment with nine or ten different islands (depending on departure) and four ferry trips included. Two comfortable hotels ensure that this holiday is as relaxing as possible while at the same time offering great variety and the sense of a true journey of discovery which will live long in the memory.