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      Self Catering Family Adventure

      Outer Hebrides

      Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

      From £685

      Travel Planning & Advice

      Book With Confidence

      Trip created by Stevie Christie
      View Stevie's Profile

      Region: Outer Hebrides and St Kilda
      Trip Type: Family
      Accommodation: Classic
      Deposit From: £171.25 £171.25

      Grading: Your Own Pace

      Carbon Footprint: 144kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      The Isle of Harris, located in the Outer Hebrides archipelago on Scotland’s west coast, is one of our favourite places in Scotland. The north of the island is hilly and rugged, and all around the coastline are a string of pristine white sand beaches just waiting to be discovered. The wild landscapes and rich seas of Harris make ideal homes for birds and marine wildlife. This blend of scenery, combined with the turquoise waters and ever-changing light makes Harris the perfect island getaway for adventurous families and groups to explore.

      From exhilarating days walking amongst the peaks to picture-perfect coastal walks and historic treks on the ancient ‘coffin roads’, you will be captivated by the Island’s charms. For cyclists, Harris also offers fantastic road riding if you wish to explore by bike.

      There is plenty of free time to explore as well and the neighbouring islands also make for great day trips. To the north, and connected to Harris by a land-bridge, Lewis is home to the truly magnificent Callanish Standing Stones, as well as many other fascinating sites and beautiful walks. Head south and take a ferry to North Uist, which is a haven for wildlife, boasts unique landscapes and intriguing prehistoric sites.

      The combination of activities led by a local guide, along with free time on your own to explore the islands, makes for a fantastic and memorable holiday – perfect for families and groups of friends.

      Please note that this trip is based in self-catering lodge accommodation that sleeps up to 8 people. The per-person price is based on a group of 8, prices will vary depending on group size and any extra activities booked.

      Trip Highlights

      • Stay in a comfortable beach-side cottage on the Isle of Harris with incredible views
      • Benefit from 3 days with a local guide, with a focus on hiking, wildlife and culture, tailored to you
      • Explore the Outer Hebrides at your own pace on this self-drive adventure
      • Perfect for a family holiday or a break with friends

      Did you know?


      This trip can be booked as a private departure


      Learn more

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 - Travel to the Outer Hebrides

      Departing from Ullapool, a scenic ferry crossing takes you to Stornoway, the largest town in the Hebrides. Driving south for about an hour and a half gives you the opportunity to get a feel for Lewis before arriving at your island cottage in Harris. If time allows, you might like to add a short detour to visit the magnificent Dun Carloway Broch and the impressive Callanish Stones, erected 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic Era. Continue your journey through history by visiting Gearrannan Black House village, a collection of beautifully restored traditional thatched cottages. On arrival at your cottage, settle in and perhaps head out for a short walk on the beach.

      Day 2 - Free Morning & Afternoon Guided Hike

      Enjoy an easy morning as you settle into your stunning surroundings. A stone’s throw from a white sand beach, you might want to spend the morning exploring the dunes and rock pools. In the afternoon, your local guide will meet you at the cottage. Unless you’ve requested another activity in advance, your guide will take you to some favourite spots for hiking and wildlife watching on Harris. With the day tailored to your group, your guide will share stories of the islands, its people and rich history allowing you to really get to know this special place. By the end of the day, you’ll have come up with a plan for spending the rest of your time together.

      Day 3 - Full Day with your Guide

      Meet your guide at the pre-arranged time then set off to discover the beauty of Harris. There are lots of fantastic options such as hiking in the north Harris hills, searching for elusive golden eagles and red deer. Or, if you’d like to explore by bike, cycle the Golden road which twists and turns through spectacular scenery steeped in history. Your guide will recommend the best options for your group tailored to your experience to make sure you get the most out of your time on these beautiful islands.

      Day 4 - Guided Morning & Free Afternoon

      Meet your guide this morning to fit in one more adventure. Exploring by foot or bike, together you’ll seek out another hidden gem in the area. With a free afternoon, you can be sure your guide will have left you with lots of suggestions for how to spend the rest of your time in the Outer Hebrides.

      Days 5, 6 & 7 - Free Days to Explore

      For the next few days, you’ll explore these unique islands at your own pace. The friendly Wilderness Scotland team are happy to work with you prior to your trip to create a fantastic adventure with additional options including boat trips, extra guided days or ferry tickets to the other islands in the Outer Hebrides chain. Alternatively, you may just want to wait and see what the day brings. There is so much to do on these islands, from beachcombing and gentle walks on the island’s coasts to trips to some of the small galleries and craft shops.  You may want to check out the eagle hides during walks through the rugged hills or enjoy a tour and tasting at the Harris Gin distillery.  Whatever you decide, relaxing with a good book in your cosy cottage as the sun sets, is a lovely way to end the day.

      Day 8 - The Journey Home

      Check out of the cottage mid-morning and make your way back to Stornoway. The ferry leaves in the early afternoon so you’ll have just enough time for a final walk, a trip to the beach or a visit to a local gallery or shops before arriving at the terminal. Back on the mainland, begin the drive home. Not quite ready to head home yet? We offer customised extensions, just get in touch.

      Download Itinerary

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      Self Catering Family Adventure
      Outer Hebrides

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

      Fields marked with * are mandatory

      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

      Book Now

      Price from: £685
      Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights

      Trip Details

      Expand All
      Accommodation Read More

      You will be staying in a self-catered house on the Isle of Harris. The house is graded 4-star by VisitScotland. With enviable views of the golden sands of Seilebost beach towards Luskentyre, this well appointed house sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 bedrooms.

      With a huge amount of well thought-out space, the house offers extremely comfortable living. A very large open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge with wood burning stove offer all the social space that family and friends will need. You can also retire to the quiet snug room with its own wood burner to read a book or just relax. There are four bedrooms as follows:.

      There is one double bedroom on the ground floor with fitted wardrobes and ensuite shower room. Two further double bedrooms can be found on the first floor along with a twin bedroom. These three bedrooms share the first floor bathroom.

      Other features: 2 wood burning stoves; Audio system and docking station; Fully centrally heated with radiators in all rooms; Fully maintained as a self-catering residence; Large heated utility and drying room; Limited satellite broadband with wifi; Television with Sky TV; Washing machine and tumble dryer.

      Please note – Pets are not allowed. No catering is provided. The house is in a rural location with no shops or restaurants within walking distance. The nearest town of note is Tarbert, which is about 20 minutes drive north of the cottage. The smaller village of Leverburgh is 15 minutes south of the cottage.

      Due to the quickly changing availability of the accommodation we require a deposit payment before confirming the house is available. This cottage is let Monday to Monday. If you would like us to arrange hotel stays before or after your time at the cottage, we are happy to do so – just ask our sales team. If you choose to arrive late or depart early, there is no change to the price.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 7 nights accommodation in a beautiful self-catering cottage
      • Ferry tickets for all travellers plus vehicle to and from the Outer Hebrides
      • 1 full day and 2 half days with an experienced and knowledgeable UK qualified guide
      • Personalised trip design and delivery
      • Options to tailor activities and extensions
      • Expert local suggestions for restaurants and activities
      • Detailed trip itinerary and map
      • Pre-trip care and 24 hour in country support from the Wilderness team
      Trip Grading Read More

      At Your Own Pace

      This trip is all suitable for anyone to enjoy, regardless of fitness level. Journey at your own pace, stopping as often as you like to soak up the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

      You have the flexibility to choose how you spend each day and can choose from the many walking routes described in the information pack. There are also many non-walking activities featured in the pack that are suitable for all fitness levels.

      Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

      This trip starts and finishes at Ullapool, where you catch the ferry over to the Outer Hebrides

      This is a self drive holiday – you can bring your own car or hire ahead of time. Please get in touch for recommendations.

      Upgrade and Customise Your Trip Read More
      • As well as the guided days in the itinerary, we can add extra activities and experiences. Options include:
      • Pre or Post trip hotel nights
      • Extra days with your guide on the islands
      • Alternative guided activities with your guide, such as road cycling
      • Boat trips (anything from 2 hours to a full day trip to St Kilda)
      • A day trip to Taransay, the setting for the BBC Castaway series
      • Fishing
      • Dinner with a private chef

      Photo Gallery

      Make This Trip Private

      Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

      Speak to an Expert

      View Profile
      Jane Gillies

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Britain & Ireland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

      Ask Jane a Question

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      At Your Own Pace

      All that you require to join these group trips is enthusiasm to try out various outdoor activities and a basic level of fitness. No previous experience of any of the activities is required, as our guides are used to working with beginners and with families.

      A reasonable level of fitness is useful, as you will have a couple of full days outside. However, our guides will pitch all activities at a level suitable for the group.

      These holidays are designed for families with children aged 8 or 9 – 15 years old (please see the recommended age in the trip dossier). However, if you have slightly younger children who are fit and active, we may be able to tailor the trips – please contact us to discuss this.

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