2020 The Outer Hebrides: Scotland's Gaelic West - 11 Days / 10 Nights / 18 Meals
Day 1: Glasgow City Tour
Tour begins at 2:00 pm at your Glasgow hotel. Tour the highlights of Glasgow and discover its unique history with a visit to the oldest house in the city, Provand’s Lordship. In the evening, join your group for a welcome drink before dinner in your hotel.
(D)
Day 2: Inveraray Castle & Oban
Drive along the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Enjoy a photo opportunity at ‘Rest and Be Thankful,’ a scenic old road with a stunning view of mountains. Visit Inveraray Castle, home of the 12th Duke of Argyll. Tour the elaborately decorated castle containing an armory, many historic relics, and a portrait collection. Stop in Inveraray for lunch on your own then enjoy some free time to explore Oban.
(B, D)
Day 3: Train Ride in the Highlands & Isle of Benbecula
Drive along the scenic shores of Loch Linnhe to Fort William, the largest town in the Highlands. Board a train and enjoy a spectacular railway journey to the fishing port of Mallaig. Have lunch independently, then embark on a scenic ferry ride to Lochboisdale on South Uist. Travel to your hotel on the Isle of Benbecula. Enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.
(B, D)
Day 4: Tour to the Isle of Barra
Drive through scenic South Uist and board the ferry to Ardmhòr on Barra to admire the beautiful white sand beaches. Stop in Castlebay, the main town of the isle, and browse independently before continuing to Vatersay, an island south of Castlebay. Take the return ferry to Eriskay. Enjoy a drink with your group at the Am Politician pub, named after the SS Politician, which sank off the island in 1941, losing its cargo of whisky – and later inspiring the film “Whisky Galore”. Return to your hotel for dinner.
(B, D)
Day 5: North Uist & Stornoway
Explore the island of North Uist, a stunning landscape with fresh and saltwater lochs. Visit the Hebridean Smokehouse to see how fish is smoked and enjoy a tasting. Stop at the museum and arts center at Taigh Chearsabhagh. Enjoy some free time for lunch before continuing north to Berneray to board the ferry for Leverburgh on Harris. Travel on to Stornoway, the largest town in the Outer Hebrides.
(B, D)
Day 6: Harris Tweed & Isle of Harris Distillery
Enjoy a tour of Harris, which boasts a wide variety of landscapes. Visit Horgabost and Luskentyre beaches, then head to Tarbert. Go behind the scenes at the Isle of Harris Distillery to witness the distilling operation and enjoy a sample. Enjoy free time for lunch. Travel to Stornoway for a panoramic tour, followed by dinner at your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 7: Isle of Lewis Sightseeing
Sightsee around the Isle of Lewis, a relatively at island with many picturesque sandy beaches and rugged coastline. Experience history and heritage at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a former community converted to a museum and visitor center. Located above Loch an Duin, visit Dun Carloway Broch, which dates back over 2000 years. Continue exploring with a stop to marvel at the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, which date from 2000 BC. Enjoy some free time for lunch. At Bosta Beach see the Iron Age House, a reconstructed Iron Age dwelling. Return to Stornoway for a free evening to dine and explore on your own.
(B)
Day 8: Ferry to Ullapool & Inverness
Take a panoramic drive and short walking tour around Stornoway, then enjoy some free time to explore independently. You may choose to visit An Lanntair, an arts and exhibition center, or Lews Castle, which boasts an interactive museum including the 900-year-old Lewis Chessmen. Or, visit the Lewis Loom Centre with demonstrations of spinning wheels, the hand loom, and a craft gift shop. Board the ferry to Ullapool on the mainland. Travel to Inverness for dinner, then join a local guide for a walking tour around the city.
(B, D)
Day 9: Culloden Battlefield & Scone Palace
Head to the Culloden Battlefield to tour the Visitor Centre, where on April 16, 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Enjoy some free time for lunch and exploring in Pitlochry. Visit Scone Palace and see the collections of antiques before heading to Edinburgh. Enjoy a Scottish evening with dinner followed by traditional songs and dances. July 31 to August 21 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade instead of a group dinner.
(B, D)
Day 10: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh and notice the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” compared with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile. Tour Edinburgh Castle’s historic buildings and enjoy the splendid views of Edinburgh. The rest of the day is free to explore, shop, and dine on your own. (The Scottish evening with dinner and traditional song and dances will be held tonight for departures from July 31 – August 21.)
(B)
Day 11: Tour Ends in Edinburgh
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
Please note: This itinerary is subject to last-minute changes due to ferry timetables.
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Learn about local gin and whisky production at the Isle of Harris Distillery.
- Visit Luskentyre Beach, voted one of the best in Britain, with its white sands and clear blue water.
- Marvel at the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis
- Reserved seats for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 31 to August 21 departures
Trip Highlights:
- Bosta Beach and the Iron Age House
- Callanish Standing Stones
- Dun Carloway Broch
- Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
- Edinburgh Castle
- Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
- Inveraray Castle
- Isle of Harris Distillery
- Jacobite Steam Train
- Scone Palace
Dining Experiences:
- 10 breakfasts (B) and 8 dinners (D) including a Scottish evening with live entertainment and traditional foods.
Hotels:
GB-CMB-WES | near Glasgow (1 night)GB-OBA-MAH | Oban (1 night)GB-BEN-DAR | Isle of Benbecula (2 nights)GB-IOL-CAB | Stornoway (3 nights)GB-INV-GLN | Inverness (1 night)-
GB-EDI-HIN | Edinburgh (2 nights)