Visit the Inner and Outer Hebrides on this 7-Day Highlands & Islands tour. Discover Scotland’s ancient past as well as ‘jaw dropping’ beaches on Lewis and Harris. Learn about the Clearances as you venture to the magical Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull and the peaceful Isle of Iona.
Tour Highlights
- Ruthven Barracks
- Cairngorm National Park
- Culloden Moor
- Clava Cairns
- Butt of Lewis
- Callanish Standing Stones
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Iona Abbey
- Inverawe Smokehouse
- Loch Lomond
Route Map
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness
This day is a great introduction to the Highlands and your guide will tell you about the culture, Highland dress and language that marked the area above the Boundary line different to Lowland Scotland. The tour continues into the Cairngorms where you will experience the Funicular ride that takes you up to the best views. Towards Inverness you will hear tales about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites that tried to overthrow George II in the 18th Century.
08:20 – Depart Edinburgh
Travel north over the River Forth into the Highlands.
10:20 – Stop in Dunkeld for a coffee and a walk around the ancient Cathedral.
11:00 – Depart Dunkeld and travel north into the Cairngorm National Park.
Stop off at Ruthven Barracks (17th Century British Barracks) and Kingussie before travelling to Aviemore for lunch.
13:00 – Lunch in Aviemore.
13:30 – Take a drive through Cairngorm National Park past Loch Morlich up to Ski lift area.
15:00 – Depart Cairngorm and travel up towards Inverness.
16:00 – Arrive Culloden Moor for a guided tour of the Battlefield.
Hear how decisive this battle was in ending the Jacobites ambitions for restoring the Stuart Dynasty to throne of Briatain.
17:00 – Depart Culloden and take the short drive to Clava Cairns.
Explore these ancient monuments that are believed to be 1000 years older than Stonehenge.
18:00 – Arrive into Inverness for an overnight stay.
Inverness has a great choice of hotels and guesthouse that suit all budgets.
Day 2: Inverness to Stornoway (via ferry)
An early start is required but well worth it as we leave the mainland travelling through Easter Ross to get to Ullapool. Here we take a ferry trip over the Minch to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The ferry journey on a clear day allows you gorgeous views. Once on Stornoway we can explore the northern part of the Island at the Butt of Lewis before heading back to Stornoway for a walk around the town and Lews Castle grounds.
07:40 – Depart Inverness and drive north westwards towards Ullapool taking in the views of Easter Ross.
09:00 – Stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge for a short walk to the bridge and view point.
This spectacular gorge is 60 meters deep and was formed during the last Ice age.
09:40 – Depart Corrieshalloch Gorge and drive to Ullapool where we get our ferry.
10:00 – Check into to Ferry Terminal
10:30 – Take ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway (takes around 2 ½ hours)
The ferry is well equipped with shops, a restaurant and bar.
13:00 – Arrive at Stornoway and drive to the north of the island. Get great views of this quite different landscape and look out for the peat cut and drying in the fields.
13:20 – Lunch in Stornoway. You may wish to check in to the hotel before going on a walk around Lews Castle grounds or going on a drive to the Butt of Lewis.
Overnight in Stornoway
Stornoway has hotels and guest houses close to the town centre.
Day 3: Day Tour of Lewis and Harris
You will be able to visit ancient brochs, standing stones and stunning beaches in Harris. These Islands will feel like stepping back in time. A visit to the Arnol Blackhouses is a must where you will experience what is was like to live in Lewis in the 17th and 18th centuries.
09:00 – Depart Stornoway for your Lewis and Harris adventure.
Highlights of the day tour include;
Approx – 13:00 – Stop for lunch at Tarbert before heading to the more mountainous area of Harris. Here you will also be able explore Tarbert’s Harris Tweed shop.
After Lunch explore the beaches Harris has to offer including;
After a day of adventure touring Lewis and Harris we travel back to Stornoway.
Approx 17:30 arrival into Stornoway.
Overnight Stornoway.
Day 4: Isle of Lewis to Isle of Skye (via ferry)
We bid farewell to Lewis and Harris and start another adventure to the Isle of Skye. Once on the Island we explore the Northern part taking in the views of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr before you stay overnight in the town of Portree.
09:30 – Depart Stornoway and travel down to Tarbert (Harris). If you have time pop in to the Harris Tweed and Harris Gin Distillery shops beside the ferry terminal.
Approx 11:00 – Take Ferry to Uig on Isle of Skye (ferry also has refreshments and facilities and takes approx. 1 hour 40 minutes).
You may wish to have lunch on the ferry.
Approx 13:30 – Arrive on Isle of Skye at the town of Uig and around the northern part of the Trotternish Peninsula.
Highlights include; Kilt Rock, The Quiraing, Faerie Glen, The Old Man of Storr.
17:00 – Arrive into Portree the capital of Skye.
Overnight Portree, Skye.
Handy tip: It is worth booking a restaurant in advance in Portree as it can be often quite busy during peak period.
Day 5: Isle of Skye to Oban
We depart the Isle of Skye but not without exploring a bit more before going over the bridge.
Drive around Loch Duich with views of Eilean Donan Castle and Glen Shiel. We stop at Fort William for a leisurely lunch before continuing south towards Oban – your base for the next 2 nights.
09:00 – Depart Portree and travel to the south of the island.
We can stop and hear tales of a Sherpa running up one of the Cuillin Mountains, Glamaig in the 19th Century before taking the Skye Bridge over the Kyle of Lochalsh to the mainland.
11:00 – Arrive Eilean Donan Castle for view and refreshments.
11:30 – Continue South through Glen Shiel then Glengarry to Fort William with plenty of photo opportunities and stories on the way from your guide. We will make sure we have a stop at the Commando Memorial that commemorates the Royal Marine Commandos that trained in that area and has spectacular views of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
13:30 – Lunch and time to shop in the many pubs and cafes in Fort WIlliam.
15:30 – Depart Fort William and drive alongside Loch Linnhe towards Oban.
En-route we will stop for views of Castle Stalker and the Island of Lismore.
17:40 – Arrive into Oban
Overnight in Oban.
In the summer enjoy the best sunsets in Oban overlooking the Islands of Kerrera and Mull.
Day 6: Day Tour of Isle of Mull and Iona
This day tour tells a story of one of Scotland’s most important religious figures – St. Columba who established a monastery on Iona in the 6th Century. We visit the Old Abbey and Nunnery and have plenty of time to tour around the Island before exploring the Isle of Mull and visiting Duart Castle the Seat of the MacLean Family.
08:30 – Depart accommodation
09:00 – Check into Ferry Terminal and take ferry from Oban to Craignure (Isle of Mull)
Ferry takes approx. 50 minutes.
10:00 – Arrive on Mull and travel through Glen More towards Fionnphort where you get the passenger ferry to Iona.
11:30 approx – Take the ferry to Iona.
11:50 – Arrive on Iona and explore the Island and Iona Abbey.
13:30 – Lunch on Iona before taking the ferry back to Mull.
14:30 – Arrive back on Mull and drive East to Duart Castle.
15:30 – Visit Duart Castle. Learn of this Castles turbulent past and the MacLean Family history.
16:30 – Depart Duart Castle and take the ferry from Craignure back to Oban.
Overnight in Oban
Day 7: Oban to Glasgow (via Loch Lomond)
The last day of our tour takes us out of Oban and alongside Loch Awe. Stop off at Inveraray before heading to Loch Lomond where you can explore the conservation village of Luss on the Bonnie Banks. Then make your final journey back to Glasgow with a small orientation tour of the city before saying farewell.
09:00 – Depart Oban and drive the short distance to Dunstaffnage Castle.
09:30 – Visit Dunstaffnage Castle – This fortress overlooking the Firth of Lorn has seen its fair share of trouble and strife. Learn about the Clans that occupied it and why it is now a ruin.
10:30 – Depart the Castle and travel further along Loch Awe
11:00 – Stop at Inverawe Smokehouse and try some smoke salmon as well as having a look around the shop.
11:45 – Depart Inverawe and get views of Kilchurn Castle before arriving in Inveraray.
12:45 – Lunch in Inveraray
14:00 – Depart Inveraray and travel around Loch Fyne, over the Rest and be Thankful and continue onwards towards Loch Lomond. Stops on the way for photographs.
15:30 – Arrive Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Explore this village and find the stories and legends about the Loch.
16:30 – Depart Luss and drive along the South Western shores of Loch Lomond towards Glasgow.
18:00 – Arrive Glasgow
This tour takes in a lot of scenery and sites and is ideal for anyone wanting something a little different.
The day details in Lewis, Harris and Skye are all dependent on weather. Accommodation wise there is a good amount of choice everywhere and with a smaller group size it does make it easier to find but always book in advance
