Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
$1881
Hebrides, Skye & The Far West
8 Days Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Edinburgh, UK
Visiting: Loch Lomond, Kilmartin, Oban, Edinburgh, Mallaig, Fort William, Skye, Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, Inverness, Ullapool, Isle of Lewis, Culloden, Pitlochry
Tour operator:
Tour code:
273772
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
16 - 32
Age range:
3-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This is the tour for you to immerse yourself into the wonderous history and awe-inspiring scenery of the Scottish Highlands & Islands. Across eight incredible days, you will explore this beautiful country, discover its culture and history and meet its welcoming people. Your journey will take you through high mountain passes and across historic battlefields, along rugged coastlines and through misty glens. The Hebrides, Skye & The Far West tour gives you the opportunity to explore the beauty of Scotland our expert team of local driver-guides, who will be able to enhance your experience with the stories and history of these beautiful and intriguing parts of the country. Whilst travelling with you us, will explore the diverse landscapes of the Highlands, from the dramatic mountains of Glen Coe, the world famous Loch Ness in the great glen, and the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor and the North-West Highlands. You will enjoy the stunning coastal towns of Oban and Stornoway, whilst your island-hopping trips to the Isles of Skye and Lewis & Harris, will allow you to enjoy more of Scotland's magnificent west coast. Across your Island-Hopping trips to the Isle of Lewis & Harris & Isle of Skye, where you will be able to immerse yourself into the distinct culture and history of these Hebridean Islands, whilst also exploring the scenery of places such as Skye's Trotternish peninsula or Luskentyre beach in Harris, which rank amongst the most incredible landscapes anywhere in Scotland. You will also world famous sites such as Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is a feature of what is often described as one of the world’s most scenic railway journey (this journey may be included in your tour, depending on date of travel) and learn more about the often troubled history of Scotland, particularly the Jacobite rebellion with a visit to Culloden Battlefield.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Edinburgh - Oban
Location: Loch Lomond, Kilmartin, Oban, Edinburgh
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour will begin in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town before we travel to Glasgow - Scotland’s largest city and industrial capital - where the rest of your group will join for the first part of this tour. Our wide-ranging tour begins heading west through the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond and the surrounding national park contain some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery, alongside some picture-postcard villages.
From here we will travel to Kilmartin Glen, an area rich archaeological legacy which is almost unrivalled in Scotland. With over 5,000 years of history laid out before us, we will walk in the footsteps of the first Scots and decipher the mysteries of an area soaked in history, visiting sites such as Dunadd Hill Fort, the Temple Wood Stone Circle and the extraordinary Neolithic rock art at Achnabreck.
To conclude your first day we will have a scenic journey to the picturesque seaside town of Oban, you first overnight stop, and home to Scotland’s best seafood! As we drive through it, your guide will provide you with an overview of the history of the town and its most famous sights
Day 2 : Oban - Skye
Location: Mallaig, Oban, Fort William
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin our second day travelling over Connel Bridge through Appin to the haunting and dramatic landscape of Glen Coe where you will be able to hear more about of the terrible massacre of the MacDonald Clan. We’ll stop in Fort William; a town dominated by Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.
In the afternoon, you will travel to the pretty fishing village of Mallaig on the Jacobite Steam Train, often considered to be one of world’s greatest train journeys.
From Mallaig we will take the ferry to the Isle of Skye, where will be staying overnight for the second and third nights of this tour.
Day 3 : Explore Skye
Location: Skye
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the third day of your tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Skye’s mysteries and landscape with your knowledgeable driver-guide, who will be able ensure you get the most out of your time on the island based on the weather and group.
Stops often include the likes of Cuillin Mountains, Dun Beag Broch, the Black Houses, the Kilt Rock Waterfall, The Old Man of Storr and the Trotternish Peninsula, and of course the capital of the island, Portree.
It’s the perfect Scottish experience where you will be able to visit and walk amongst the dramatic and often other-worldly scenery of the Isle of Skye all whilst learning more about the fascinating history and legends of the Island.
Day 4 : Skye - Inverness
Location: Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, Inverness
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 begins with a journey over the Skye Bridge, where we return to the mainland and travel to Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed locations. Eilean Donan is one of the greatest medieval castles in Scotland. With a history that dates back to the 13th century, this fortress will take you back in time to most troubled and times of Scottish history. You’ll have ample time to explore the Castle, which sits on its own Island on Loch Duich.
We then travel through the stunning mountains of Glenshiel to the pretty village of Drumnadrochit, which sits on the shores of Loch Ness for lunch. Here, you can choose taking a boat cruise on the world-famous Loch Ness, which would also include a visit to Urquhart Castle on the shore of the Loch. Alternatively, you would have the time to enjoy and explore the surroundings.
We’ll then head North to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, where we will spend the fourth evening of the tour.
Day 5 : Inverness - Stornoway
Location: Inverness, Ullapool
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day five of your tour begins in Inverness, where you will meet you new driver-guide and travel companions for the second half of your tour.
Then you will then travel through the remote landscapes of Sutherland to admire some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. Your journey through this wild part of the Highlands will then take you on to the beautiful seaside town of Ullapool, which is where you will catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
You will arrive in the largest town on the Island, Stornoway, in the early afternoon. You will spend the afternoon visiting the Arnol Blackhouses, to learn more about the traditional lifestyle of Hebridean Crofting families. You will then return to Stornoway which is where you will be spending your two nights on Lewis and Harris.
Day 6 : Explore Lewis
Location: Isle of Lewis
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite accomodation
Meals Included: Breakfast
From your base in Stornoway, you will spend this day of your tour exploring the Isle of Lewis and Harris. On your first day on the island, you will be able to explore Carloway Broch, an exceptionally well-preserved Iron Age structure located above Loch an Duin.
The day also features visits to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, an ancient formation of standing stones constructed in the neolithic era, over 4000 years ago.
In the afternoon you can stroll along what is arguably Harris’ most beautiful beach, Lusekentyre, we’ll then continue down to the most southerly point of the island and Rodel Church, the ancient burial ground of the MacLeod family. Then it’s time for an exciting trip around the Golden Road before returning to Stornoway.
Day 7 : Lewis - Inverness
Location: Isle of Lewis
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
On your second morning on the island, you will begin your day by heading to the far north of Lewis to visit the Butt of Lewis lighthouse (the windiest place in the UK) before returning to Stornoway for lunch and a ferry journey back to the mainland.
Once back on the mainland, we’ll make our from Ullapool, through some more areas of the North West Highlands remote yet beautiful landscapes, to Inverness, our overnight stay on this final night of the tour.
Day 8 : Inverness - Edinburgh
Location: Culloden, Pitlochry, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
As we leave Inverness behind to begin our journey south, our first stop of the day is at Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last stand of the Jacobite’s against the British government forces on 16 April 1746. You can learn more about the battle and the events which surrounded the Jacobite uprising in the impressive visitor centre and interactive exhibition, as well as having the chance to wander the land where the battle itself took place.
Our journey will continue south, heading to a local distillery for a wee dram. From here, we’ll then enjoy the magnificent scenery as you travel through the mountainous wilderness of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, the largest National Park in Scotland. This large mountain range has five of the highest mountains in the UK within its limits.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the views before we arrive into the picturesque town of Pitlochry, the gateway to the highlands. Pitlochry has been a tourist centre since the 1860s thanks to being popularised as the gateway to the Highlands by Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott, the towns popularity as a tourist centre continued to increase as the railways made accessing the Highlands significantly easier than ever before 1870s.
Explore this quaint town before we head back to Edinburgh’s city centre, where your tour will end.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Breakfast Only
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Train Tickets
One way journey on the Jacobite Steam Train
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Ferry Travel to and from The Isle of Lewis & Harris
What's Not Included
Booking Notes
What to bring
It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views and you are set to go!
It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food, however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to the size of our vehicles, on our multi-day tours, we guarantee to carry one piece of luggage per passenger of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, with a maximum of 15 kg. This is equivalent to hand luggage allowed in an aircraft cabin.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Due to the variety of accommodation providers we use, we are unable to guarantee the availability of free Wi-Fi at the B&B's we use
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Unfortunately, we do not organize pre- or post-tour accommodation.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Optional attraction tickets are not included in the price.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
We are proud to welcome travellers from around the world on our tours
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, the relaxed nature of our tours makes them uniquely appropriate for children 3 and above. Unfortunately, children under the age of 3 years old are unable to travel on our tours.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We use B&B's with a minimum of 3 stars
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What should I bring with me?
It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland, so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views, and you are set to go! It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food; however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
There will be opportunities for short walks throughout our tours, however these will not be overly strenuous. Our tours are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels
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What will the weather be like?
Scotland is routinely unpredictable, but we do have a very temperate climate. The geography of Scotland means that it does rain more frequently in the west of the country and there are stronger winds in the east.
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What is the maximum group size?
This tour will run on a minibus or mini-coach with a maximum of 32 seats
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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How much luggage can I bring?
Due to the size of our vehicles, on our multi-day tours, we guarantee to carry one piece of luggage per passenger of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, with a maximum of 15 kg. This is equivalent to hand luggage allowed in an aircraft cabin.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
If you are delayed due to a flight cancellation for example, we will do our best to help you catch up with the tour. However, we cannot allow the tour to be affected negatively for the other passengers.
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Should I take out travel insurance?
We highly recommend you take out travel insurance.
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Low Deposit
Highland Experience Tours requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of highland experience tours charges.
Up to 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 8 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.