Grand Hebridean Tour
Skye, Harris, Scalpay, Lewis, North & South Uist, Benbecula, Grimsay, Eriskay, Barra, Vatersay. Optional 2-day extension of the 7 day tour, on Saturday & Sunday (or Sunday and Monday) covering Mull, Iona & Staffa.
This is a comprehensive tour of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, illustrating how very different they are from each other, and offering a well balanced combination of coach and steamer cruising. A truly marvellous experience. The geographical apartness of the Western Isles - lying off the north-west coast of Scotland - has been a major factor in preserving their individual identity as the last major Gaelic speaking area.
You may wish to include a visit to these islands by leaving the tour on Sunday afternoon in Oban, staying two nights there and taking the 9.50 a.m. ferry on Monday to Craignure, Isle of Mull, joining a coach and boat excursion to the sacred Isle of Iona, made famous by St. Columba. Inclusive day trips from Oban from c.£32 (£44 with Staffa, the tiny island renowned for the basaltic columns of Fingal’s Cave, which inspired Mendelssohn to write his famous Overture in 1832). Return to Glasgow by train or coach on Tuesday morning. A leaflet is available with information on transport services, fares and accommodation in Oban.
Alternatively you may prefer to travel from Glasgow on Saturday, taking the day trip to Mull & Iona on Sunday; Monday morning bus from Oban to Fort William, where you join our tour coach at lunch time. No pre-booking of these road and rail services is required.
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Departs Glasgow 8.45 am. Mondays from 19 May until 1 September
7 days £610
Monday Glasgow to the Isle of Skye
Loch Lomond, Crianlarich, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe to Fort William. The marvellous "Road to the Isles" via Glenfinnan, Arisaig, the sands of Morar and the fishing village of Mallaig. Ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Armadale, Isle of Skye and via Broadford to the hotel amidst the Cuillan mountains.
Tuesday Isle of Skye to the Island of Harris
To the island's capital Portree for lunch. To Trotternish - the far north - with dramatic views across the Sound of Raasay; Kilt Rock, Staffin, Duntulm Castle, Kilmuir Folk Museum to Uig. Ferry to Tarbert, Harris, Outer Hebrides (three nights - 'single' rooms not en-suite).
Wednesday Isle of Harris
A full day tour of South Harris, via the contrasting east and west coasts - one being a wilderness of rock and small lochs, the other sweeping green downland and yellow beaches. See Harris Tweed being woven in an isolated crofter's cottage. St Clement's Church at Rodel (c.1500). Some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Britain. Kyles of Scalpay and Isle of Scalpay.
Thursday Isles of Harris and Lewis
Through mountainous North Harris via Rhenigidale village, a full day tour of Lewis, including Stornoway (the only town in the Outer Hebrides), Callanish Standing Stones (Neolithic Temple), Barvas Moor, Carloway Broch (an ancient fortress tower).
Friday Isles of Harris, The Uists, Benbecula, Eriskay & Barra
Free time in Tarbert. Ferry to the Isle of Berneray, North Uist, thence southwards, passing moors, peat bogs, beaches and lochans - across the causeways to Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay. Ferry to the Isle of Barra ("The Jewel of the Hebrides") and a short drive to the Isle of Barra Hotel, beautifully positioned on Tangasdale beach (2 nights).
Saturday Isles of Barra and Vatersay
A day to tour and explore these beautiful islands, with time to enjoy the magnificent beaches, including seeing the plane land on the beach - the island's airstrip. Optional short boat trip to Kisimul Castle (Clan McNeil) in Castlebay.
Sunday Isle of Barra - Oban - Glasgow
Morning ferry from Castlebay to Oban (arriving 2pm), then via the Pass of Brander, Loch Awe to Glasgow, arriving 5.30 p.m.
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