Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra & Mingulay

Reaching North Uist

Meeting in Inverness, we travel west through the mountainous region of Kintail before crossing the Skye Bridge. We then travel across Skye before arriving at the port of Uig on Skye’s west coast. The ferry crossing takes less than two hours, reaching the tiny port of Lochmaddy on the Isle of North Uist mid-afternoon. Once we arrive, we will go on a short walk before heading to our accommodation to settle in for the evening.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 5 km / 3 miles | Approx: 1.5 hrs

Beaches and Birdlife of North Uist

We enjoy a morning coastal walk, exploring one of North Uist’s most beautiful beaches. We hike a circular route through sand dunes to a raised headland called Aird a’ Mhorain. Although just 40 m/130 ft above sea level, it provides a fantastic vantage point with views north to the Isle of Harris. In the afternoon, we visit the nearby RSPB Reserve at Balranald. A trail takes us through the reserve, which is known for being a stronghold for the elusive Corncrake.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 10 km / 6 miles | Approx: 3 hrs

Benbecula Vistas and Exploring South Uist

Benbecula is a small island linking the islands North and South Uist. Our morning walk takes us to the not-so-lofty summit of Rueval. At only 127 m/417 ft above sea level, it still offers fabulous views across the southern Hebrides. Indeed, it is said that you can see over 100 freshwater lochs from its summit! Continuing onto South Uist, the afternoon offers a relaxing stroll on the machair at Howmore Beach, passing some traditional thatched cottages on the way. If time permits, we may visit the Bronze Age roundhouses at Cladh Hallan before arriving at the inn, which will be our base for the next two nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 4 km / 2 miles | Approx: 2 hrs
Shorter Alternative: 4 km / 2 miles | Approx: 4 hrs

Whisky Galore on the Isle of Eriskay

We cross the causeway onto the Isle of Eriskay, a tiny island but one packed full of history and intrigue. Our circular walk starts by crossing Prince’s Beach, where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil. This beach is also where the SS Politician ran aground in 1941. Much of its cargo of 264,000 bottles of whisky was ‘acquired’ by the locals – an event which inspired the classic Scottish novel Whisky Galore. Leaving the beach, we hike across the moor to a small knoll with mountain and sea views. Before returning to the hotel, we will stop at the Am Politician bar and perhaps enjoy a dram of whisky – wherever it came from!

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | Approx: 3 hrs

The Isles of Barra and Vatersay

Barra is a delightful island to explore and there are countless possible walks to explore its hills, machair and, of course, its beaches. Many of the walks are short, meaning we often enjoy a short hike before lunch and another that afternoon. One possible option is a morning walk to the Iron Age fort of Dun Ban and Halaman beach. After lunch, we can enjoy a hike to the 105 m/345 ft summit of Beinn Eolaigearry, which is a fantastic vantage point with 360-degree sea views – and a great spot for watching the small planes land on the beach runway at Traigh Mhor. Late afternoon or perhaps post-dinner, we can cross the causeway to Vatersay and enjoy a short walk on its beaches.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 13 km / 8 miles | Approx: 5 hrs

Echoes of the Past on Mingulay

A privately chartered boat takes us south to the long-abandoned islands of Mingulay, Berneray, and Pabbay, which boast some of the finest coastal landscapes in Scotland. The crossing to Mingulay takes just over an hour and provides wonderful opportunities for spotting marine life, such as basking sharks or minke whales. We’ll aim to land on Mingulay and spend around three hours ashore, giving us time to explore the abandoned villages, stunning beaches, and lovely hiking, perhaps summiting MacPhee’s Hill. Back at our hotel that night, we’ll enjoy a final night dinner together overlooking Barra’s incredible beaches.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | Approx: 3 hrs

Journey to Inverness

After breakfast, we board the ferry bound for Oban. Once we’re back on the mainland, we head north towards Port Appin where we’ll stop for lunch overlooking Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker. We then drive east across the Highlands, arriving back in Inverness around 6pm.