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At a glance
Visiting:
Scotland
Length:
5 nights
by air
Price from:£659pp
Departing:23 Sep 2020 to 6 Oct 2021
To book or for more information please call: 0330 160 8099 and quote RTA
Request Brochure - Hebridean Island Adventure - 6 days
Hebridean Island Adventure - 6 days
Scotland's stunning islands
Explore Scotland’s magical Western Isles, an unspoilt, uncrowded and timeless land of stunning scenery, ancient history and unique culture.
Perched on the very edge of Britain, these beautiful, unspoilt islands, guardians of a rich culture with its roots in the mists of time have been continually inhabited for over 6000 years. Combining huge skies and the ocean-washed sands of vast empty beaches with mountains and moorlands rich in flora and fauna, and a pace of life long forgotten on the mainland, a holiday to the Outer Hebrides is an unforgettable experience.
Holiday Highlights
A tour of the Isle of Skye
A tour of the Isle of Harris
A tour of the Isle of Lewis
Visits to Portree and historic Dunvegan Castle
Visits to the Standing Stones of Callanish, a Black House, the Broch of Carloway and the Butt of Lewis
What's Included
Five nights' dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at a series of hotels in Broadford, Isle of Skye (2 nights), Stornoway (2) and Newtonmore (1)
Return flights to Edinburgh
All ferry crossings as detailed
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Edinburgh to meet our Tour Manager. Once on board the coach we head north west to the Isle of Skye. It's a long but beautiful journey (about five hours in total), which we'll break in Pitlochry and at famous Eilean Donan Castle on the shores of Loch Duich.
Day 2
Passing the famous Cullin Hills, whose craggy peaks are often obscured by a veil of mist, you’ll head to Dunvegan Castle. Stronghold of the chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years, and said to be the oldest continuously occupied 'family home' in Scotland, this is an amazing place steeped in history.
This afternoon, explore the island’s main town, Portree, where you'll find delightful white- and colour-washed buildings set around the harbour, all surrounded by dramatic scenery.
Day 3
Early this morning we'll head to Uig to catch the 9.30am ferry to North Uist. After a little less than two hours on the water, you’ll arrive in Lochmaddy and then continue to Benbecula. Soak up the rugged tranquility of the rolling moorland and glittering fresh and seawater lochs before heading to South Uist.
The second largest of the Western Isles, South Uist is a stronghold of the Gaelic language where the crofting industries of peat-cutting and-seaweed gathering are still important parts of everyday life.
Discover the island's history at the Kildonan Museum before we continue to the tiny island of Berneray for our final hour-long crossing to Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris from where we'll continue to Lewis and the Cabarfeidh Hotel after a long, but magically scenic day.
Day 4
Today we head to Harris, with its high mountains and rocky coastline to the east, and its miles of unspoilt beaches washed by Atlantic waves on the west.
Our first stop is Rodel Church, perhaps the grandest medieval building in the Western Isles. After time to explore the little port of Tarbet, we'll continue to the celebrated Standing Stones of Callanish, a dramatic collection of almost 50 ancient stones. A short walk from the road (over fairly rough ground) takes us to the exceptionally well -preserved Carloway Broch, a circular dry-stone fortified tower dating back some 2000 years. Moving on, we'll visit the Blackhouse at Arnol. This unique building is preserved almost as the crofting family left it when they moved out in 1966, and it gives a fascinating insight into the lives and resourcefulness of the islands' inhabitants.
Day 5
This morning, we'll head to the Butt of Lewis, at the northern tip of Lewis, the final highlight of your stay in the Hebrides. "Set sail", in the early afternoon, for the two-hour 45-minute crossing to Ullapool then follow a wonderfully scenic route through Wester Ross to Newtonmore and your final hotel.
Day 6
Journey back to Edinburgh airport, this morning, to catch your flight home. Depending on your flight time there may be a little time to explore the Scottish capital before your wonderful tour of Scotland and the Hebrides comes to an end.
Hebridean Island Adventure Touring Hotels
You will be staying in a series of well-located hotels, all of which will be of a three-star standard. All the bedrooms in all hotels offer private facilities, TV and tea- and coffee-making...
Hebridean Island Adventure Touring Hotels
You will be staying in a series of well-located hotels, all of which will be of a three-star standard. All the bedrooms in all hotels offer private facilities, TV and tea- and coffee-making...
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your first hotel is approximately five hours. The transfer time from your hotel to the airport on the last day is approximately three hours.
Access to Carloway Broch
Please note that the Broch is a short walk over fairly rough ground from the road.
Airport development fees
An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Durham Tees Valley, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Access to Dunvegan Castle
Please note that disabled access to this ancient building is limited. There are two shallow steps into the reception area, followed by approximately 20 steps up to the main rooms. Thereafter the route is level. Many of the garden paths are suitable for wheelchairs.
Sunday closing
Please note that most local businesses in the Outer Hebrides will be closed on Sundays.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.