Outer Hebrides Walking Tour

• Spectacular pristine white sand beaches and turquoise seas
• Archaeological wonders including the ancient Callanish Standing Stones
• Discover the lunar landscapes and dramatic mountains of Harris
• Flora and fauna of the unique machair in stunning dune grasslands

Trip Details

The Outer Hebrides Walking Tour offers rugged mountain walks leading down to the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches you will find anywhere in the world, stunning cliff-side paths and fascinating archaeological and historic sites. We incorporate exciting walks, history and culture, and offer an inspiring insight into the local industry and the island people.

The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles are a group of wonderfully diverse Scottish islands in the most north-westerly part of the UK.

This exciting 12-day walking tour of the islands also includes a walk-in amongst the otherworldly landscape of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye on our last day, culminating with an overnight stay in the picturesque coastal village of Plockton back on the mainland.

What`s included

• 11 nights accommodation in B&B/Hotel
• minimum of 10 guided walks
• All ferries throughout the trip
• Transfer throughout in comfortable 9 seater van
• All museum entry fees
• Distillery tour and tasting
• One or two experienced and friendly guides (qualified mountain leader) depending on the size of the group
• Pick up / Drop off Inverness

What`s not included

• Meals other than specified
• Miscellaneous personal expenditure – drinks and souvenirs etc
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Flights or trains/bus to Inverness

Dates

• 07/05/2023 – 18/05/2023
• 04/07/2023 – 15/07/2023

PRICE

• B&B/Hotel: £2099 pp including dinner
• B&B/Hotel: £1699 pp excluding dinner
• Single Supplement: £300 pp

AT A CLANCE

• Group size: 6 – 8
• 10 days walking
• Difficulty:
• Deposit: 20 % of the full amount
• Start: Inverness 10 am
• Finish: Inverness 12 pm
• Extension possible in Inverness

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

• 11 nights B&B/Hotel
• 11 breakfast

Day 1 – Transfer day to Ullapool fishing village with short scenic walk

After airport/station/Inverness city pickups we drive to the lovely north-west coastal village of Ullapool and offer a scenic walk on the route from Inverness, or perhaps up onto Ullapool hill which has delightful views out to the summer isles and over the lochside village.

We choose the walk dependant on the weather and pick up times in Inverness for the group.

Walk details: Depending on weather and timing

Day 2 – Butt of Lewis lighthouse cliff top walk

We begin the Outer Hebrides Walking Tour by taking the 2.5-hour relaxing ferry in the morning over to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, where we drive to the north to begin an afternoon circuit walk at the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse.

This is the most north-westerly point of the island and indeed the whole of the UK, with clifftop views, plenty of birdlife and interesting lighthouse history. We return to Stornoway where we have 2 nights in a B&B/small hotel.

Walk details: 6.5 km/ 4 miles | approx. 2 hours | ↗ 150 m/490 ft | ↘ 100 m/330 ft

Day 3 – Hiking and history on the West of Lewis

Today we head to the west of the island where we have a lovely high-level coastal walking route with fantastic seascapes and passing stunning beaches which eventually brings us to the incredible Blackhouse museum village, where you will have time to explore this reconstructed village and learn about its fascinating history.

On this day we also visit an ancient stone Broch at Carloway and also Arnol Blackhouse. On our return to Stornoway, we may have time for a short visit to Lews Castle museum and also the poignant Iolaire memorial monument. Lots crammed into this varied day!

Walk details: 7-9 km/ 4 – 5.5 miles | approx. 3 – 4 hours | ↗ 350 m/1150 ft | ↘ 350 m/1150 ft

Day 4 – Lewis chessmen and Callanish standing stones

Today we leave Stornoway and head to south-west Lewis where we visit the beautiful bay of Uig sands, where the renowned Lewis Chessmen were discovered. Then we head to Mangersta nearby and take a short walk to visit a unique secret Bothy which sits in an outstanding position.

We depart Uig and before heading down to Harris, we take a visit to the 5000-year-old Callanish Standing stones, not to be missed! In the afternoon, we head south to Harris and do a wonderful walk on a rugged historic path from Rhenigidale to Urgha.

Short transfer to the village of Tarbert for our 3 night stay.

Walk details: 8-10 km/ 5 – 6 miles | approx. 4 – 5 hours | ↗ 450 m/1480 ft | ↘ 450 m/1480 ft

Day 5 – Beinn Dhubh ascent and Luskentyre beach

Today we begin with a fantastic distillery tour and tasting of the renowned Harris Gin and (soon to be available for sale) malt whisky in the village of Tarbert. We then drive a short distance to begin our ascent of Beinn Dhubh mountain.

This interesting off-path ascent takes us up onto a long wide ridge which offers simply stunning views of the North Harris mountains on one side and beautiful Luskentyre beach and the island of Taransay on the other.

After reaching the summit cairn we descend gradually, on to the sweeping white sands of Luskentyre beach where there is time to enjoy a paddle (or perhaps a swim!)

Walk details: 11.5 km/ 7 miles | approx. 4 – 5 hours | ↗ 575 m/1890 ft | ↘ 575 m/1890 ft

Day 6 – Hiking at Huishnish

Today we begin our walk at the road end by beautiful Huisinish beach on the west coast of Harris, which takes us up onto a fantastic stony balcony path to the remote Crabhadail .

We continue to yet another stunning beach with views onto the island of Scarp before rejoining our inbound path back to the beach at Huisinish.

Possible option of an extra late afternoon walk on the island of Scalpay (over the bridge from Tarbert) or time to explore Tarbert village and it’s Harris Tweed shop.

Walk details: 8 km/ 5 miles | approx. 3.5 – 4 hours | ↗ 450 m/1480 ft | ↘ 450 m/1480 ft

Day 7 – Ceapabhal, South Harris

The short ascent of Ceapabhal on south Harris is relatively steep but rewards us with excellent views of the beaches of Harris and the small islands in the Sound. We also include a visit to the secluded ruins of a medieval chapel.

The Machair to be found (fertile grassy plain full of wildflowers) along the low-level ground is some of the finest examples in Harris. We then visit a traditional weavers hut where you can ask questions about the methods of weaving the unique Harris Tweed.

Walk details: 6.75 km/ 4 miles | approx. 3 -4 hours | ↗ 360 m/1180 ft | ↘ 360 m/1180 ft

Day 8 – Berneray Explorer

Today we leave Harris behind and continue our journey further south via ferry from Leverburgh to the island of Berneray where we walk from a lovely thatched Hostel, up onto a small hill and down onto magnificent Berneray beach with a long walk along this stunning stretch of coastline.

There is also the opportunity to spot seals in the bay before we drive over the causeway into North Uist and down to South Uist where our accommodation is for the next three nights.

Walk details: 12.25 km/ 7.5 miles | approx. 3.5 -4 hours | ↗ 160 m/525 ft | ↘ 160 m/525 ft

Day 9 – Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay highlights

Heading south today, we drive the short distance to the idyllic island of Eriskay, home to beautiful rare Hebridean ponies and known for the book and film Whisky Galore based on the SS Politician ship which crashed on the shoreline here.

Thousands of bottles of whisky were ‘rescued ‘ by the locals! After a photo stop, we take the ferry over to The island of Barra and walk via a small hill fort onto another stunning beach before a visit to the only scheduled airline beach runway in the world where we can watch a small aeroplane come into land…..a unique experience not to be missed!

We then drive to Vatersay to visit our last gorgeous beach of the trip and weather permitting an ideal spot in calm waters for a refreshing dip!

Walk details: 9 km/ 5.5 miles | approx. 3.5 hours | ↗ 150 m/490 ft | ↘ 150 m/490 ft

Day 10 – Eaval Mountain, North Uist

Today on our Outer Hebrides Walking Tour we drive back up to North Uist and spend our day on the exquisite hill Eaval, the highest mountain on North Uist.

Though only 347 m in height its steep fin-shaped cone stands proud on this low-lying island and provides unique views of the amazing land and water around it…with hundreds of lochs and lochans to be seen for miles!

It’s a truly fitting end to our time in the Outer Hebrides.

Walk details: 10.5 km/ 6.5 miles | approx. 4.5 – 5 hours | ↗ 375 m/1230 ft | ↘ 375 m/1230 ft

Day 11 – The Quiraing, Isle Of Skye

Today we depart the Outer Hebrides taking the ferry from Lochmaddy over to Uig on the Isle of Skye. We include a walk through the unique landscape on Skye in the otherworldly Quiraing area of the north with its incredible pinnacles and landslip features.

There is also a couple of photo stops before heading south to Portree for a bit of time to explore this popular and picturesque harbour village.

We then make our way down through Skye with outstanding views to the Cuillin mountain ranges on the route. We cross the Skye bridge and drive the short distance to the stunningly situated village of Plockton on the west coast for our last night.

Walk details: 4 km/ 2.5 miles | approx. 2 hours | ↗ 50 m/165 ft | ↘ 200 m/660 ft

Day 12 – Transfer Day vía Loch Ness

Today is the transfer day to Inverness airport/train station or your accommodation in Inverness. If time allows, we visit some historic sites along the way and also drive past beautiful Loch Ness, the largest body of water in the UK by volume.

Then it’s time to say our goodbyes after what is sure to be a memorable Outer Hebrides Walking Tour!

Walk details: Depending on weather and timings