- Visit one of the most diverse and spectacular regions of Europe, indulging in the wild scenery and rich history of the islands
- Experience the rich ornithology of Lewis, spy red deer and golden eagles on Harris, and seek out otters on Skye
- Enjoy exceptional Highland hospitality at our carefully selected small hotels, set in magnificent locations on the coast
- 6 nights accommodation in carefully selected guest houses and hotels
- Most meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout
- All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness
- All private boat and ferry transfers
Green Graded Walking Holidays
Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.
27th Apr - 3rd May 2019
Craig Tweedie
Globe-trotting, pedal-pounding Craig knows a thing or two about whisky too. Learn more here.4th May - 10th May 2019
Gill McMillan
Walking through the woods with Gill may result in some on the side badger watching, but that's no problem - she'll make it up to you with her expert guidance, enthusiasm and knowledge of the area.25th May - 31st May 2019
Craig Tweedie
Globe-trotting, pedal-pounding Craig knows a thing or two about whisky too. Learn more here.29th Jun - 5th Jul 2019
Lorraine McCall
Not happy with just walking up all the Munros, Lorraine walked and kayaked to reach them.20th Jul - 26th Jul 2019
Ken Keith
Ken saw the light and left the bright lights behind for a Highland existence. Read more here.10th Aug - 16th Aug 2019
Gill McMillan
Walking through the woods with Gill may result in some on the side badger watching, but that's no problem - she'll make it up to you with her expert guidance, enthusiasm and knowledge of the area.21st Sep - 27th Sep 2019
Keith Miller
Hugely experienced and passionate naturalist. Keith has been guiding for many years.5th Oct - 11th Oct 2019
Mark Cox
Mark really likes nature on his doorstep, with 5000 rockhopper penguins he's cracked it...12th Oct - 18th Oct 2019
Dave Picken
Meet Dave Picken, expert guide and bee-keeper extraordinaire.ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
This itinerary is based in two different locations throughout the course of the week, with 2 nights on Skye and 4 nights on Harris. Each of the accommodations offer double and twin rooms, most with en-suite facilities. Please note that single rooms are not available on this itinerary. Throughout the journey, varied island produce will be served up in hearty and imaginative meals. Seafood is a speciality with beef, lamb and venison also popular and of course, any special dietary requirements can be catered for.
On this trip we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.
SINGLE ROOMS
There is no single person supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £275 will be charged.
Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Inverness Railway Station at 10:30 on Day 1 of your trip. Most people choose to stay in Inverness before the trip. For full details on how to get to Inverness, please see our website: Recommended Travel.
Trip Details
Join us on an adventure to the wild Hebrides – the inspiring islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis.
Stand atop rugged peaks looking down upon perfect white sand beaches skirting the sea and across to the many smaller isles which dot the horizon.
The Hebrides are among the wildest and most beautiful islands anywhere in Europe. On this walking holiday your knowledgeable guide will provide a fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of island life, history and geology. They can also help you spot wildlife – perhaps including golden eagles, white tailed sea eagles, basking sharks, whales and dolphins, as well helping you identify the rich flora of the islands found in the famous coastal ‘machairs’ or flower meadows. With charming accommodation and delicious food, this award winning trip provides a memorable insight into the wild and beautiful Hebrides.
Trip Itinerary – Outer Hebrides and Skye Walking Tour
Day 1 – Travel to Skye, afternoon walk in Glen Sligachan
Meeting in Inverness, we travel south west past Loch Ness and the stunning Eilean Donan Castle in Kintail before arriving on the Isle of Skye. We spend our first afternoon enjoying a wonderful walk in Glen Sligachan beneath the mighty peaks of the Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin, which flank either side of the glen. Returning to our vehicle, we transfer to our hotel which has fabulous views over Uig Bay. (L, D)
Walk details: 8km, approx 3hrs.
Day 2 – Quirang and the Old Man of Storr
After enjoying breakfast with sea views, we set out to explore the stark and unusual landscapes of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on foot. We will also visit Kilt Rock and the charming village of Staffin on this relaxing day. (B, L)
Walk details: 8km, approx 4hrs.
Day 3 – Travel to the Isle of Harris
We enjoy a short coastal walk before taking the afternoon ferry from Skye to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, looking out for seabirds and dolphins on the 90 minute crossing. On arrival on Harris, we visit the wonderful beaches of Luskentyre and Sheileboist before arriving at our accommodation in time to freshen up before dinner. (B, L)
Walk details: 6km, approx 3hrs.
Day 4 – Glens and Beaches of North Harris
North Harris is one of the most spectacular areas of the Outer Hebrides. We spend the day exploring the glens and beaches, perhaps visiting the white sands of Huisinis or hiking into the glens to see the massive cliffs of Sron Uladal. A wonderful day whichever route we choose! (B, L)
Walk details: 12km, approx 5hrs.
Day 5 – The Machair of Harris and the Golden Road
Today we walk on the ‘machair’ of Harris, the Gaelic name for the coastal hinterland which in summer is a carpet of wild flowers. We climb Toe Head (365m), high above beach of Traigh Scarasta, from where St. Kilda can be sometimes be seen jutting out of the Atlantic horizon. We then complete a circuit of southern Harris as we drive back north via the ’Golden Road’, stopping at 15th century Rodel Church and other places along the way. (B, L)
Walk details: 6km, approx 3hrs.
Day 6 – Walking Circuit of Scalpay
This tiny island is located off the east coast of Harris and is now connected to Harris by a bridge, which opened in 1997, with the first person to cross being 103-year old Mrs Kirsty Morrison. We’ll enjoy a fine circumnavigation of the island, exploring its wonderful coastline and visiting the remote lighthouse at Rubh an Eorna (B, L, D).
Walk details: 10km, approx 5hrs.
Day 7 – Callanish Standing Stones; return to Inverness
After breakfast, we journey north to Lewis, where we visit the 5000 year old Callanish Standing Stones, which date back to 3000BC. Set high on a moor with a backdrop of sea and mountains, this is a moving experience for many and a fine place to end this island odyssey. Leaving the stones behind, we continue to Stornoway where we take the ferry back to the mainland and transfer back to Inverness. (B, L)
Prices and Dates
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2019 Trip Dates
Trip Reviews
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us.
Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That's why we read each of our client's reviews and although we don't respond to all of them, if it's glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
by Karen Balsen 01/10/2018
Pre-Trip Service
When planning our trip the Wilderness staff were incredibly helpful. They gave great information that helped us select the perfect trip.
Trip Comments
Ali was an amazing guide. He chose terrific hikes that worked as well as possible with the weather. For each hike the retrained varied which made for an incredible weeklong experience. The pointers and support Ali gave helped me emensely to overcome some apprehension I had about the challenges nag trails.
Accommodation and Food
The accommodations on Skye were terrific. The accommodations on Harris did not meet our expectations. We had no problem sharing a suite with two other lovely travelers and getting to know them better. However, getting to visit with all the travelers in a common lounge area would have been better. With that option we would not have had 4 people sharing one bathroom. In addition, though the hotel was very nice about taking our clothes to dry and/or wash and dry, a working washer dryer (as the others in our group had) would have been preferred. Had we booked this room on our own and found that we had a shared bath and a broken washer/dryer I believe the hotel would have compensated that in some way. I hope they did that for Wilderness Scotland.
TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE:
Thanks for your feedback. Delighted that you had an excellent trip, although we are very sorry that you were disappointed with your experience at Hotel Hebrides. With regards to the rooming arrangements, we consider the Kirklea Suites to be of a very high standard, and believe that the advantages of having a large living room outweigh the downsides of sharing a bathroom. Having said this, we will only be using the rooms in the main hotel in the future wherever possible to avoid any issues of this nature, and we would like to apologise for any disappointment this caused.
Your Guide
Ali was a fabulous guide. He was knowable about history, geography, wild life, plants, and all the rocks! He was always interesting to listen to.
The Bottom Line
Excellent!
by Karin Smith 29/09/2018
Accommodation and Food
This was the only negative on our trip. 4 people sharing one bathroom for the amount of money paid for this trip was a huge disappointment, especially sharing with people you hardly know.
TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE:
We are delighted that you had such a good trip, although we are very sorry that you were disappointed with your experience at Hotel Hebrides. With regards to the rooming arrangements, we consider the Kirklea Suites to be of a very high standard, and believe that the advantages of having a large living room outweigh the downsides of sharing a bathroom. Having said this, we will only be using the rooms in the main hotel in the future wherever possible to avoid any issues of this nature, and we would like to apologise for any disappointment this caused.
Your Guide
Chris was the best! So patient and always smiling. We would go again with him in a heartbeat.
The Bottom Line
We were very happy with Wilderness Scotland from start to finish. Very organized and professional. We would recommend them to everyone and will certainly be back to try another trip!
by Michael Barnes 26/09/2018
Trip Comments
Our trip to the Outer Hebrides with Wilderness Scotland was sublime. We have fallen in love with these beautiful wind swept islands and their blooming heather. Thank you, Wilderness Scotland, for an amazing trip.
Accommodation and Food
The units in Tarbert were lovely but the upstairs bedrooms were cramped if more than a couple were utilising and getting down steep stairs the the bathroom in the night on tired legs was a challenge.
Your Guide
Chris was a lovely guide. We felt in very safe hands. Nothing was too much trouble. He was a great safe driver, took time to explain things to us and shared his genuine love of the Outer Hebrides, which was contagious.
The Bottom Line
Our bodies are en route back home but our hearts are back on the islands. Thank you x
