Magic Hebridean Odyssey

Itinerary

Sunday
Depart Leyland at 09.00am for our journey north to Scotland, first stop is our overnight hotel The Winnock Hotel in Drymen with a suitable lunch stop en-route.

Monday
Today our Hebridean adventure begins, travel via breathtaking Glencoe to Uig on the Isle of Skye where we will board the ferry across to Lochmaddy on the island of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, a relatively flat island covered with peat bogs, low hills and lochans, travel via the Benbecula Causeway to the small island of Benbecula, sit back relax and enjoy a 2-course meal onboard the ferry (there will be no evening meal at the hotel this evening due to our late arrival). Arrive at the Dark Island Hotel in Benbecula to a warm Hebridean welcome with tea/coffee on arrival. Enjoy our two nights stay.

Tuesday
Following breakfast, we take the causeway to South Uist where the West Coast is a continuous sandy beach while the east is dominated by mountainous peaks, continue via a further causeway to Eriskay, South Uist, famous for the real 'Whisky Galore' island and Eriskay ponies. It was just off Eriskay between Great Todday and Little Todday that the SS Politician ran aground in 1941 with 50,000 cases of Whisky on board. 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, considered by many to be the most beautiful little island in Britain. It's tranquil beaches, distinctive culture, where Gaelic is widely spoken, and an ancient history makes a visit to Bara a memorable one. Time allowing travel across the causeway to stunning Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited island on the Hebrides, return to Barra to board the ferry back to Eriskay and return to the hotel.

Wednesday
Check out of The Dark Island Hotel following breakfast, a packed lunch will be provided for our journey to Lewis today. Today's island hopping begins with our crossing from Bernaray, Isle of North Uist to Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris, enjoy the scenic journey as we travel through the dramatic landscape of Harris to the Isle of Lewis, the largest island of the western Isles or Outer Hebrides to check in at the Caladh Inn, Stornoway, our island home for the next two nights.

Thursday
Following breakfast, join a local coach and guide to enhance our excursion of the Island of Lewis. Lewis has a history that dates back thousands of years and ancient stone circles and standing stone can be found everywhere. On the west coast of the Isle of Lewis at Callanish stands a magnificent collection of stone circles and rows of standing stones called the 'Hebrides' Stonehenge. Other sights you will see on your excursion of the island include the moorland interior, where peat is still cut for fuel, traditional croft dwellings and Carloway Broch, one of Scotland's best preserved defence structures dating back 2,000 years.

Friday
Check out of our Isle of Lewis hotel to board the ferry in Stornoway (ferry times have still to be published for 2025, depending on our crossing time there may be free time allowed in Stornoway beforehand). Our ferry will take us across to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland, from there take the scenic route along the banks of Loch Broom and Loch Droma, with a stop for a photo opportunity at Loch Droma Viewpoint before continuing our journey along the banks of Loch Glascarnoch and Loch Garve before arriving at our overnight stay, The Priory Hotel in Beauly.


Saturday
Check out of our overnight hotel following breakfast for our journey home with a suitable lunch stop en-route