Day One - Fly to Scotland and travel to Skye
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 Two - Included island tour and visit to Dunvegan Castle
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 Three - Included drive through Benbecula, North and South Uist and Beneray
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 Four - Included Tour of Harris and Lewis
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 Five - Included visit to the Butt of Lewis and travel to Ullapool
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 Six - Fly Home
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.
