Trip created by David Russell
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Region: Outer Hebrides and St Kilda
Trip Type: Wildlife
Comfort: Classic
Confirmed: When 2 Traveller(s) Book
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryExplore the pristine Outer Hebrides island chain on Scotland’s far west coast, discovering its abundant wildlife, including some of the rarest wildlife to be found in Scotland.
On this wildlife holiday in the Outer Hebrides, we’ll enjoy coastal and glen hikes and, weather permitting, a boat trip to the incredible archipelago of St Kilda. On our May departure, we hope to see the spring migration of skuas to their summer breeding grounds – one of Scotland’s great natural events.
Your knowledgeable guide will provide a fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of island life, history and geology of the Outer Hebrides. Of course, they will also help you spot wildlife, which may include golden eagles, white-tailed sea eagles, puffins, 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 the wildlife of these wild and beautiful islands.
PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.
We meet in Inverness and drive to Ullapool, where we catch the morning ferry across to the Isle of Lewis, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides. The ferry journey takes us through well-known seabird and cetacean feeding areas – so we will hope for some sightings before we even arrive on the islands! As we drive south to our hotel on Harris, we’ll take a small detour to the wonderful standing stone circle at Callanish. (D)
Walking: 1 mile max on good paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
The plan for today is to take a boat trip to the famous archipelago of St Kilda. Over 40 miles offshore, visiting this amazing double World Heritage Site requires a boat crossing of about 3 hours each way. It is a challenging but vastly rewarding day. The crossing to St Kilda provides a great opportunity for marine life sightings, with mid to late summer being especially good for basking sharks. As we approach the islands we see, hear and smell the vast seabird colonies! We’ll have a few hours on land to explore – with some of the highest sea cliffs in Britain, and globally important colonies of gannets, fulmars and puffins, this is a spectacular place to see. Together with the thought-provoking story of the islanders who lived here, this is one of the most amazing places you can ever visit.
Please note that the visit to St Kilda is strongly contingent on good weather and sea conditions. Since this will be a highlight of the trip then if it is not possible to visit St Kilda on this day then your guide will try to schedule it for a different day during the trip. (B, L)
If boat trip unavailable today, we will walk on Harris. Up to four miles. Various options including good footpaths, beaches and/or hilly terrain. Options for additional walks during the day depending on circumstances.
If St Kilda goes ahead, guided walk can be up to 2.5 miles max, mostly on rough hill tracks and sometimes steep terrain. Alternatives include exploring the ‘village’ on good paths, a short distance from the jetty. 1 mile. NOTE: this day will likely include a boat-to-boat transfer and landing on a small jetty, possibly with climbing a ladder involved. Assistance provided.
The Isle of Harris gives an immense sense of history, and vast expanses of moorland hold nationally important breeding populations of Greenshank and Dunlin, while otters, golden eagles and sea eagles hunt here regularly. They are also home to herds of red deer, which can be seen grazing on the hillsides. We’ll spend the morning exploring the coastline of the beautiful island before catching the ferry across the sea to North Uist. (B, L)
Walking: Several walks available of up to approx. 2.5 miles, ranging from beach to grass and rough paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
Today we’ll go in search of the elusive Corncrake at Balranald RSPB Reserve – a mix of fertile machair meadows and ancient farmland. These rare habitats also provide vital homes for many rare species, such as the great yellow bumblebee, corn bunting, golden-ringed dragonfly and many scarce wildflowers (not to mention photogenic highland cows!). The heather moors of North Uist offer more good raptor hunting habitats and we will spend time in the search of more birds of prey, returning summer migrants such as wheatear and stonechat and perhaps red deer. (B, L)
Walking: Several walks available of up to approx. 2.5 miles, ranging from beach to grass and rough paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
Benbecula is an island of remote and windswept beauty, where machair, white beaches, sand dunes and lochains blend together. We are in good otter and diver territory, with plenty of places to stretch our legs (B, L)
Walking: Several walks available of up to approx. 2.5 miles, ranging from beach to grass and rough paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
Like much of the archipelago, the west coast of South Uist holds empty sandy beaches and wildflower-rich machair meadow, whilst the east coast offers rocky inlets and heather covered hills. We aim to explore on foot during the day, taking a packed lunch with us as we walk along the enticing coastline. We will take the opportunity to scan the hills for some of the local golden and sea eagles – soaring with a wingspan well over two metres. Other daytime hunters include the ghostly hen harrier and furious looking short-eared owl, either of which could turn up almost anywhere during our time on the Uists. With otters, wildflowers, beachcombing and wildfowl all possible, there will be plenty for us to enjoy. We should also experience the endemic Hebridean song thrush! At migration times, these islands also tend to offer a stopover for exotic and lost migrating birds from America, the Arctic, Mediterranean – even the Far East! As long as we keep our eyes open, you never know what surprises we might find on this wildlife holiday.(B, L, D)
Walking: Several walks available of up to approx. 2.5 miles, ranging from beach to grass and rough paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
We begin our journey back to Inverness today, but there are still opportunities for some wonderful scenery and excellent wildlife sightings. We depart by ferry across the Minch again, this time on the late morning ferry heading for the Isle of Skye. From here, we journey through Skye, across the bridge to the mainland and then back along the shores of Loch Ness to Inverness, arriving by around 5.30pm. (B, L)
Walking: 1 mile max on good paths. Roadside stops and short leg stretches en route.
To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:
ACCOMMODATION
This itinerary is based in two different locations throughout the course of the week, with 3 nights on Harris and 3 nights on North Uist. Each of the accommodations offer double and twin rooms, most with en-suite facilities.
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. A single room supplement of £300 is charged if a single room is available.
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.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Inverness Railway Station at 7:30am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Inverness station by 5:30pm on the final day.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland/
David loves the lure of wild places. He’s regularly seen heading off with his canoe, camera and tent for a night under the stars. David spent 5 years as an outdoor guide and instructor with qualifications from the Mountain Training Association and British Canoe Association. He designed the Outer Hebrides & St Kilda wildlife trip out of his passion for exploring the wild place of Scotland and capturing them with his camera.
- David Russell
Ask David a QuestionGreen Graded Wildlife Holidays 1-3
All of our wildlife trips are graded Green and involve straightforward hiking with no major ascents, as well as other activities which are pitched at novice level. You can expect to be active for around 5 hours each day so you will need a reasonable level of fitness. Please note that there may be some early starts and late nights as we seek to maximise our chances of finding wildlife, although you can always opt out of activities if you prefer an early night or long lie in the morning!
So to help you decide if you are fit enough for this kind of trip, ask yourself:
Rated 4.94 out of 5 based on 16 review(s) of Wildlife Adventures – Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
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.
Sarah Bowman
Reviewed on 24/06/2019
Age: 70 - 80
Country: England
Trip Date: 15/06/2019
Trips Taken: 2
The Bottom Line
Ann Laughlin
Reviewed on 15/06/2019
Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 25/05/2019
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
I loved the trip. I hated the weather. The van was a little claustrophobic. People should be told to keep their spot for the day and then rotate so there's not so much yapping about who is going to sit where. :) I think WS did a great job.
Maureen McCallum
Reviewed on 07/06/2019
Age: 70 - 80
Trip Date: 25/05/2019
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
The experience was great. I'd book another trip with Wilderness Scotland.
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