A Grand Tour of the Outer Hebrides

Departing: April 2027 - September 2027

The Outer Hebrides offer a remarkable sense of place, where ancient monuments, crofting traditions and extraordinary landscapes reveal how island communities have lived alongside the Atlantic for thousands of years. This grand tour takes us across a chain of islands, with local ferry crossings adding to the sense of discovery and bringing a constantly changing backdrop of mountains, moorland, beaches and sea. On Lewis, encounter the 5,000-year-old standing stones of Callanish, the traditional Black Houses at Gearrannan and St Columba’s Ui Church, an important medieval site. In Harris, experience a more mountainous landscape before continuing through the Uists and across to Eriskay, Vatersay and Barra. From prehistoric remains and Norse heritage to crofting traditions and island life, this is a journey through a distinctive corner of Scotland where history and landscape are inseparable.

Included

Explore Calanais Standing Stones & Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Professional Tour Manager
2 nights at the Dark Island Hotel, Benbecula & 2 nights at the Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway
4 breakfasts & 4 dinners
All ferry crossings
Private air-conditioned coach travel

Highlights

The Black Houses at Gearrannan, typical of the crofting settlements
5,000 year old standing stones
St Columba’s Ui Church, one of the most important archaeological sites on the Isle of Lewis

Alastair Walker

A native of Inverness his knowledge of Scotland is wide ranging, from the Northern Isles and the Hebrides to Perthshire, Galloway and the Borders. His specialist subjects include Scottish military history and the railways of Scotland past and present.

David Maclennan

David is an experienced Tour Manager and Guide Lecturer, leading tours throughout the UK and Europe since retiring from full-time employment. With extensive knowledge of gardens and horticulture, he brings each destination to life with enthusiasm and expertise. You may even see him in his kilt!

Tour Itinerary

We depart from our designated pick-up points and travel through the dramatic Highlands via Glen Coe, Fort William and Glenfinnan to Mallaig. The journey offers ever-changing scenery of mountains, lochs and coastline. From here, we take the ferry to Lochboisdale in South Uist, passing the Small Isles of Rum and Canna and the Cuillin Hills on Skye. On arrival, we continue over causeways (keeping a careful eye out for otters!) to Benbecula, the ‘stepping stone’ between the Uists and continue to our hotel, where dinner is served this evening

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Dark Isle Hotel, Benbecula

We travel south via Eriskay, a small island rich in history, including Prince Charlie’s Bay, where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745. From here, we take the ferry to Barra for a guided tour of the island. Although Kisimul Castle is currently closed for conservation, it can be viewed from the shore. We visit Cockleshell Beach, where the island’s unique tidal runway operates alongside the coastline. Continuing to Vatersay via causeway, we admire memorials to the 1944 Catalina aircraft crash and the emigrant ship Annie Jane, wrecked in 1853. The island’s machair is especially rich in summer wildflowers, creating a striking coastal landscape. We return via Eriskay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dark Isle Hotel, Benbecula

We travel to Berneray and cross by ferry to Harris, visiting St Clement’s Church, Rodel, a striking 16th-century church built by the MacLeod clan. We continue along the spectacular Harris coastline, with views towards Taransay and beaches including Scarasta, Horgabost, Borve and Luskentyre. The scenery shifts between white sand, turquoise sea and rugged hills. We pause in Tarbert before continuing into Lewis and on to Stornoway for our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabarheidh Hotel, Stornoway

We explore the west coast of Lewis, beginning with Calanais Standing Stones (Calanais II), where an impressive arrangement of standing stones and cairn remains provides a glimpse into the island’s Neolithic heritage. We continue to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a preserved crofting settlement of traditional thatched homes, before visiting Shawbost Norse Mill, a reconstructed Viking-era grain mill. We return to Stornoway for our final night.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabarheidh Hotel, Stornoway

We take the morning ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool, enjoying wide views of the Minch during the crossing. On arrival, we continue south by coach through the Highlands, returning to our original pick-up points in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

The Cabarfeidh Hotel offers comfortable standard rooms with modern facilities, ideally located in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. All rooms are en-suite with flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities and free Wi-Fi, while other hotel facilities include a gym, spa, restaurant and bar.

The Dark Island Hotel is located on the picturesque Isle of Benbecula, nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes. All rooms are en-suite with flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee-making facilities. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, lounge and bar.

Availability & Booking

2027

9th April from $2,095

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30th April from $2,095

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30th May from $2,235

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3rd September from $2,235

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