5 Day Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye Tour

Day 1 – An early start from Inverness to the coastal village of Ullapool where we board the ferry for a 2½ hour journey across the Minch to the Isle of Lewis and its main town of Stornoway (my native town). From there we spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones, the 2000 year old Dun Carloway Broch and a traditional Hebridean blackhouse. We end the day at the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point in the Outer Hebrides before our return to Stornoway for our overnight stay.

Day 2 – After time in Stornoway visiting the Lewis Chessmen, Museum nan Eilean and Lews Castle, we journey south to the Isle of Harris. The tour along the Atlantic coastline of Harris includes the stunning beaches at Luskentyre, Seilebost and Nisabost. We visit Rodel to explore the beautiful medieval St Clement’s church, home to one of Scotland's most remarkable 16th century tombs. The late afternoon takes us back to Tarbert (home of Harris Tweed and Isle of Harris distillery) before we return north to Stornoway for our overnight stay.

Day 3 – Departing from Stornoway we travel south to Tarbert where we take a 1¾ hour late morning ferry across the Little Minch to Uig on the Isle of Skye. The afternoon takes us around the stunning Trotternish peninsula including the Museum of Island Life, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the magnificent views from the Quiraing before our arrival in Portree for our overnight stay.

Day 4 – A full day on Isle of Skye includes Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan MacLeod, one of the Hebrides most powerful clans. The afternoon takes us to the Sleat Peninsula, a less explored areas of Skye, and home to a stunning coastline, heather-clad hills and plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds. Along with Isleornsay – where you can enjoy some Hebridean whisky tasting – we explore the remote western side before our return Portree for our overnight stay.

Day 5 – Leaving Portree we tour south through the Isle of Skye and cross the bridge to the West Highlands where we explore the stunning Eilean Donan Castle by the shores of Loch Duich. The afternoon takes us east through Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range. Before our return to Inverness we end our tour with a visit to medieval ruins of Urquhart Castle by the banks of Loch Ness.