Overview

We are pleased to offer our much acclaimed island-hopping tour in the Outer Hebrides which offers the experience of remote landscapes and slow pace of life enjoyed by the locals. The scenery is fascinating in its variety and the boat crossings are an excellent way to view the many outlying islands.

Your Accommodation:

Our tour includes different hotels all offering the same high standard of service and hospitality. A separate leaflet is available from our office containing comprehensive details of each individual hotel.

Your Itinerary:

Our door to door service takes you to the waiting Club Class coach for the drive via Scotch Corner, Gretna Green to arrive at our hotel, the Buchanan Arms in Drymen. There will be time to relax before our dinner this evening.

We travel through the spectacular Scottish Highlands towards the Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye and provide a photo opportunity en route at the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle. Situated on an island at the point where 3 sea lochs meet, Eilean Donan is one of the most iconic images of Scotland. From the Kyle of Lochalsh, we will cross the magnificent Skye road bridge onto the Isle of Skye itself and enjoy the scenic drive past the dramatic Cuillin Hills and through the island’s capital, Portree. We will then arrive at the port of Uig from which we take a ferry to Lochmaddy on the Isle of Benbecula. Dinner will be taken on board the ship during the crossing. We re-join the coach and make the short journey to the 3 star Dark Island Hotel.

This morning, we will explore the stunning South Uist, an island of the Outer Hebrides with crystal clear water and white powder beaches. We will drive past the ruins of the 18th century Ormacleit Castle towards the Isle of Eriskay, which is linked to south Uist by a stone causeway. The beautiful little island of Eriskay is home to the bay where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil. It is also known for its famous ponies, which are semi-wild and often seen wandering around the village. On our return, we will visit the Hebridean Jewellery Shop and Workshop where we will have the chance to purchase some quality handcrafted silver and gold jewellery.

After a leisurely breakfast we collect our packed lunches and bid farewell to our hosts at the Dark Island Hotel to travel back into North Uist. Our route takes us along 13 miles of stunning sandy beaches, fresh water lochs, rolling moorland hills and unrivalled bird watching opportunities, before reaching Berneray, reputedly one of HRH King Charles’ favourite destinations. From here we will board the ferry to Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris, which offers incredible diversity in its landscapes, from inhospitable rocky shores in the east to the golden sandy beaches in the west. On arrival, we will visit St Clement’s Church, Rodel, which was built in around 1500 by the MacLeods of Dunvegan and Harris. The Isle of Harris is linked by road to the Isle of Lewis and the drive passes some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the whole of the UK. We visit the Isle of Scalpay and admire its lovely waterfront villages. Our final destination for today is Stornoway, the capital of Lewis, where we have time to settle in to the Caladh Inn before dinner.

We remain on the Isle of Lewis today and enjoy a tour of the island’s fantastic scenery. Lewis is one of the largest and well-populated of the Western Isles, although it remains refreshingly unspoilt and uncrowded. Home to some of the most important seabird colonies in the UK, the Isle of Lewis is a haven for all forms of wildlife. There is history and heritage to be discovered too and the island has more than its fair share of archaeological sites to explore. During our circular tour of the island, we will visit Carloway Broch, an ancient Iron Age fortification and an included visit to the Calanais Visitor Centre where we will be able to see the Callanish Standing Stones, one of the best preserved Megalithic sites in the whole of Scotland. We will also visit Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and step back in time as we experience the way of life in a typical crofting township of the 19th Century.

This morning we enjoy some free time to relax and explore the town of Stornoway, the largest town on the Western Isles, with a chance to snap up a last minute bargain in one of the Harris Tweed shops where we have time at leisure. This afternoon we make the crossing to Ullapool and drive through wonderful mountain scenery to reach our overnight hotel in Aviemore.

We depart after breakfast and journey south to arrive back in our home areas early evening at the end of a wonderful Hebridean adventure.

THIS HOLIDAY WILL BE OPERATED ON BOARD A FENN HOLIDAYS COACH. EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED. A HIRED COACH WILL BE USED ON 1 DAY OF THE HOLIDAY IN LINE WITH THE LEGALITY OF DRIVER'S HOURS.

*Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.