Hebridean Odyssey

This tour is the ultimate island-hopping experience in the Outer Hebrides with an impressive 8 islands. This area of unspoilt natural beauty offers spectacular scenery, impressive mountain ranges and miles of golden beaches.

Isle of Barra • Eriskay • Benbecula • Harris • Beautiful Beaches • Uist • Isle of Lewis • Callanish

Day 1 Head north with an overnight stop in the Dumfries area.

Day 2 Enjoy spectacular scenery on the onward journey as you pass Loch Lomond, Loch Awe and Fort William before crossing to the Isle of Skye via Mallaig. Your early evening crossing from Uig to North Uist awaits, on which dinner has been included. Arrive at your hotel on Benbecula in time for a nightcap.

Day 3 Today's island hopping begins by taking the causeway across to South Uist, where the west coast is a continuous sandy beach while the east is dominated by mountainous peaks. On then via a further causeway to Eriskay. Eriskay is famous for the Eriskay Ponies and is also the real 'Whisky Galore' island. It was just off Eriskay, between Great Todday and Little Todday, that the S.S. Politician ran aground in 1941 with 50,000 cases of whisky aboard. The locals managed to save several hundred cases before the ship sank, providing them with a good supply of their 'Water of Life'. From here, enjoy the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Barra which is considered by many to be the most beautiful little island in Britain. Its tranquil beaches, distinctive culture, where Gaelic is widely spoken, and an ancient history make any visit to Barra a memorable one. Time allowing, venture across the causeway to stunning Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides.

Day 4 A leisurely morning in Benbecula before departing the hotel for your onward journey to North Uist, via the Benbecula causeway. North Uist is a relatively flat island covered with peat bogs, low hills and lochans. More than half the land is covered by water, making North Uist a birdwatchers' paradise. Board the afternoon ferry for the 1 hour crossing to Harris. Travel up the west coast past numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the Western Isles. The final leg of today's journey is to Lewis and the hotel in Stornoway. We have included a packed lunch on this day.

Day 5 Lewis is the most northerly island of the Hebrides and the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. Lewis has a history that goes back thousands of years and ancient stone circles and standing stones can be found everywhere. On the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, at Callanish, stands the awesome collection of stone circles and rows of standing stones called the ‘Hebrides' Stonehenge'. Other sights to see on your excursion around Lewis include the moorland interior, where peat is still cut for fuel, traditional croft dwellings and Carloway Broch, one of Scotland's best preserved defensive structures dating back 2,000 years. Return to the hotel for dinner. Our tour price includes the services of a local coach and driver today, while your driver has a day at rest. If you intend to operate the tour with 2 drivers please let us know so we can amend the price accordingly.

Day 6 Enjoy the morning free in Stornoway before an afternoon crossing to Ullapool on the mainland, which takes just under 3 hours. Continue to your overnight hotel, which will be detailed in your quotation letter.

Day 7 Homeward journey south today. Alternatively we can arrange for a further night near Glasgow, or the Scottish borders if required.

All tours are tailored to your requirements and can be adapted for travel by coach and/or air as you prefer. Occasionally itineraries change. Please see our current brochure or contact us for the latest version.

Dark Island Hotel, Benbecula

A traditional hotel, located in the heart of the Hebrides and only a short walk from a secluded beach. The largest hotel in the area and with access to numerous other islands, the hotel is a popular base for both groups and individuals.

• 3 star • 42 bedrooms

• No lift, but plenty of ground floor rooms

• Coach parking

Cabarfeidh Hotel, Isle of Lewis

The highest graded full size hotel on the Isle of Lewis, offering modern facilities and accommodation.

• 4 star • 46 bedrooms • Lift

• Coach parking

Your tour includes:

• Ferry crossings as detailed in itinerary

• 1 night half board on outbound journey

• Dinner on Uig to Lochmaddy ferry crossing

• 2 nights on Benbecula with:
Tea/coffee on arrival
Porter service
Full Scottish breakfast
3 course dinner with choice and tea/coffee on 1 night
Packed lunch on departure day

• 2 nights half board on Lewis with:
Porter service
Full Scottish breakfast
3 course dinner with choice and tea/coffee

• Coach Hire on 1 day

• 1 night half board on inbound journey

For a quotation, or to enquire about this tour, fill in our online form, send us an email or call us on 01432 277666.