Outer Hebrides and Skye

Day 1 – Travel to Skye, afternoon walk in Glen Sligachan

Meeting in Inverness, we travel 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 accommodation overlooking Uig Bay. (L, D)

Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | approx. 3 hrs

Day 2 – Quirang and the Old Man of Storr

After enjoying breakfast with views out across the sea, 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, D)

Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | approx. 4 hrs

Day 3 – Travel to the Isle of Harris

After breakfast, 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. Arriving on Harris, we visit the wonderful beaches of Luskentyre and Seileboist before heading to our accommodation in time to freshen up before dinner. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 6km/ 4 miles | approx. 3 hrs

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, D)

Walk details: 12km/ 7 miles | approx 5hrs

Day 5 – 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 circumnavigation of the island, exploring its wonderful coastline and visiting the remote lighthouse at Rubh an Eorna. Back in Tarbert, we’ll visit the first legal distillery ever to be built on Harris. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 10 km/ 6 miles | approx. 5 hrs

Day 6 – 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 wildflowers. We climb Toe Head (365m), high above the beach of Traigh Scarasta, from where St. Kilda can 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, D)

Walk details: 6 km/ 4 miles | approx. 3 hrs

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 wonderful 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)