- Visit seven islands on a spectacular journey through the southern Outer Hebrides, indulging in the wild scenery and rich history of the islands.
- Journey to the abandoned island of Mingulay on a privately chartered boat, relishing its wild beauty and abundant wildlife while learning about the hardships of life there.
- Enjoy exceptional Highland hospitality at our carefully selected guest houses, set in magnificent coastal locations.
- 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 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.
14th Jul - 20th Jul 2018
Alan Smith
Ask adventurer Alan about his stint as a stunt co-ordinator!4th Aug - 10th Aug 2018
Rosie Mckenzie
Meet our Wilderness Guide Rosie Mckenzie. She has a love for trekking in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Find out more ...1st Sep - 7th Sep 2018
Tim Francis
A passionate biker and hill-walker, Tim is a former business development manager who spent 4 years working in South America...27th Apr - 3rd May 2019
Paul McCaffrey
Paul has been flying high for as long as he can remember!11th May - 17th May 2019
Tim Willis
Chocolate-mad Tim is also a risk around Weetabix. Read his guide bio here.3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2019
Guide Required
This walking holiday in the southern Outer Hebrides visits at least seven islands, including the wild, beautiful and uninhabited island of Mingulay. These islands are often overlooked by those drawn to the larger islands of Lewis and Harris to the north. But the curious traveller who ventures a little further south in the Outer Hebrides […]31st Aug - 6th Sep 2019
Zoe Newsam
From drama in the theatre to air traffic control, nothing phases Zoe!21st Sep - 27th Sep 2019
Dave Picken
Meet Dave Picken, expert guide and bee-keeper extraordinaire.ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
This itinerary is based in three different locations, with two nights each on North Uist, South Uist and Barra. Each of the accommodations offer double and twin rooms, most with en-suite facilities.
Most meals are included in the price of this holiday. Evening meals which are not included are taken in local pubs and restaurants which offer a wide choice of local dishes. 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.
SINGLE ROOMS
There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you require a single room please request this at the time of booking and we will check availability for you. Please note that we can offer a maximum of two single rooms on this itinerary. The single supplement is £300 and is strictly subject to availability.
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Inverness Railway Station at 9:30am on Day 1 of your trip.
Trip Details
This walking holiday in the southern Outer Hebrides visits at least seven islands, including the wild, beautiful and uninhabited island of Mingulay.
These islands are often overlooked by those drawn to the larger islands of Lewis and Harris to the north. But the curious traveller who ventures a little further south in the Outer Hebrides will be rewarded by uncrowded islands, wonderfully scenic walks and welcoming accommodations, all the time accompanied by wild Atlantic vistas.
Your knowledgeable guide will provide a fascinating insight into the complex tapestry of life, history and geology in the Outer Hebrides. They can also help you spot wildlife, which may include 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 special trip provides a memorable insight into these wild and beautiful islands.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Travel to Outer Hebrides, hike to the Hut of the Shadows
We journey through Kintail and Skye before taking a ferry across to North Uist, our first stop in the Outer Hebrides. Lunch is taken on the ferry which takes less than 2 hours. After arriving in the Hebrides there is time for a late afternoon walk before dinner at our hotel. (L, D)
Walk details: 5km, approx 1.5 hrs
Day 2 – Beaches and Birdlife of North Uist
A morning walk takes us to one of North Uist’s most beautiful beaches and to an elevated headland with wonderful views north to Harris. In the afternoon, we visit a nature reserve which is known for being a stronghold for the elusive Corncrake. (B, L)
Walk details: 10km, approx 3 hrs
Day 3 – Benbecula Vistas and Exploring South Uist
We hike to the highest point on the Isle of Benbecula, at 127m, for expansive views across North and South Uist. In the afternoon, we walk on the machair (flower meadows) of a South Uist beach and visit a Bronze Age roundhouse before arriving at our hotel. (B, L)
Walk details: 8km, approx 4 hrs
Day 4 – Whisky Galore on the Isle of Eriskay
The Isle of Eriskay is best known for the sinking of a cargo ship carrying whisky, which was the inspiration for the novel ‘Whisky Galore’. It’s also where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil. We’ll enjoy a beautiful coastal hike filled with history and intrigue. (B, L)
Walk details: 6km, approx 3 hrs
Day 5 – The Isles of Barra and Vatersay
We spend our final two nights on the Isle of Barra, one of the jewels of the Outer Hebrides. We’ll enjoy a hike on Barra today, exploring its little hills and big beaches. If people are keen to bag another island, we can cross the causeway onto the Isle of Vatersay, the southernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides, for a late afternoon or evening stroll. (B, L)
Walk details: 13km, approx 5 hrs
Day 6 – Echoes of the Past on Mingulay
A privately chartered boat takes us on a trip to the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides. We land on the now-deserted island of Mingulay and spend several hours ashore before motoring past Barra Head on Berneray on our way back to Barra. A wonderful day visiting truly wild and remote islands. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 6km, approx 3 hrs
Day 7 – Journey to Inverness
In the morning we board an early ferry from Barra to Oban on the mainland, having breakfast aboard the ferry. After lunch in Oban we then drive east across the Highlands with a final photo opportunity as we pass Loch Ness, arriving back in Inverness around 6pm. (B, L)
Prices and Dates
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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 Halldóra Gunnarsdóttir 18/06/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Love the area. Good accommodation, good service, knowledgeable guide, nice people in the group.
Since everybody came from the UK (except me), the conversation was fast most of the time - no need to slow down except when talking to my.
Trip Comments
The islands and the sailing!
by Toby Clegg 15/06/2018
Pre-Trip Service
We would have preferred to know the intended accommodation in advance.
Your Guide
Howard is clearly a knowledgeable, capable and experienced guide who exercised latitude, tolerance and patience for the benefit of the group.
The Bottom Line
Good weather, group compatibility and clear organisation were key elements in making the trip successful..
by Anne Johnston 12/06/2018
Pre-Trip Service
I received very full and helpful answers to all of my questions.
Trip Comments
This was my first walking trip. I enjoyed being with a group of experienced walkers. Highlights were the view from Reuval over North Uist and the trip to Mingulay. I loved the sail round the island seeing the puffins and other nesting birds.
Accommodation and Food
All of the rooms were clean and comfortable and food was good in all 3 hotels.
Your Guide
Howard is an excellent guide. He gave me advice whenever I needed it so was clearly keeping an eye out for how I was getting on. I liked how we discussed options for walks each day before setting out and that he was able to make adjustments to cope with changing circumstances. I felt well looked after.
The Bottom Line
I came home feeling really relaxed and happy. This trip is one of the best holidays I’ve had. It was great being out in the fresh air all day. I enjoyed climbing the hills, including the parts where I needed to put in a bit of effort. Wilderness Scotland put together a well-paced itinerary with an excellent guide.
by Kirstie Simpson 22/05/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Easy to get info. I booked through a travel agent at someone’s advice and not sure that was to my advantage though...it would have been nice to get the final trip info directly to me as the travel agent delayed a bit getting it to me. Always very fast and helpful responses from staff though so I did not feel I was missing anything.
Trip Comments
First time on a guided trip of any kind. Was not sure how it would go but it was excellent. I felt very well looked after. In particular, it was great to be driven around. I am not sure how the guide knew the roads so well but he did and was an excellent driver. I would do a trip like that again.
Accommodation and Food
I really liked the first and third accomadation s. Not quite as happy with the second (may have been comparing it with the first which was my favortite). It was very small and cramped - but manageable. I think a staff person was staying down the hall at our end though and there was quite a bit of late night walking back and forth in the squeaky corridor.
Your Guide
Great guide, very good knowledge of the area, history and culture. Also a great naturalist. Driving skills exemplary. The group was not always moving at the same pace - usually managed very well but not always, I noticed sometimes the front people would get the benefit of some info about something and would also have a break - but as soon as the slower folks arrived off we would go so the slower folks would not get a break or sometimes miss some interesting info. That got sorted out a bit better at the end as the group was given some freedom to go their own way a bit. Good use of time and good use of weather changes.
The Bottom Line
It was a very positive and enjoyable first guiding experience. I would never have gotten to the places we did and done the things we did on my own. Thanks so much for making my first trip to Scotland so great- because of you I will come back !
