Harris’s white sands, Lewis’s ancient stones and a Highland journey through Loch Ness and Glencoe, with two island nights and no more than 16 travellers.
Harris’s white sands, Lewis’s ancient stones and a Highland journey through Loch Ness and Glencoe, with two island nights and no more than 16 travellers.
White sand, turquoise water and mountains beyond the beach: welcome to Harris. On this five-day Outer Hebrides tour from Edinburgh, cross the Highlands and sail from Ullapool to Lewis, with two nights around Stornoway and time to explore Luskentyre Beach, MacLeod’s Stone and the islands’ remarkable history.
Lewis brings the Callanish Standing Stones, traditional blackhouses, Dun Carloway and the Atlantic cliffs at the Butt of Lewis. The mainland journey is just as varied, with nights in Inverness before and after the islands, walks at The Hermitage, Corrieshalloch Gorge and Knockan Crag, and a return through Loch Ness and Glencoe. Your expert guide connects the places with stories of island life, ancient communities and Highland history, while regular outdoor stops let you experience the landscapes for yourself.
At a glance
- Duration: 5 days (4 nights: Inverness ×2, Lewis ×2)
- Departs: Edinburgh, 8:30am (back approx. 7–8pm, Day 5)
- Group size: Max 16 (small scheduled group)
- Ages: 12+ (younger? ask about a private tour)
- Walking: Short walks (up to ~1 hour, uneven paths)
- Ferry: Included (Ullapool ⇄ Stornoway)
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness — The Hermitage · Dalwhinnie · Aviemore · Culloden · Clava Cairns
Travel into Perthshire for a woodland walk at The Hermitage, where towering trees frame the path to Black Linn Falls, then into the Highlands to Dalwhinnie Distillery and lunch in Aviemore.
The afternoon brings Culloden Battlefield and the nearby prehistoric Clava Cairns, finishing in Inverness with the evening free to explore the Highland capital.
Day 2: Inverness to Lewis & Harris — Corrieshalloch Gorge · Ullapool · Ferry · Luskentyre Beach · MacLeod’s Stone
Head west to Corrieshalloch Gorge for a short walk above its waterfalls, then board the ferry at Ullapool across the Minch to Stornoway, watching for seabirds, dolphins and other wildlife.
On arrival, travel south into Harris for a walk on Luskentyre Beach, then on to MacLeod’s Stone before returning to Stornoway.
The scheduled Ullapool–Stornoway ferry crossing is included; timings are set by the ferry operator.
Day 3: A full day on Lewis — Port of Ness · Butt of Lewis · Blackhouses · Dun Carloway · Callanish
Begin around the Port of Ness, then St Moluag’s Church and the Atlantic cliffs at the Butt of Lewis. Continue past Eoropie Beach and Clach an Trushal to the Whalebone Arch, the restored Norse Mill & Kiln and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, then Dun Carloway Broch and, to finish, the Callanish Standing Stones.
Entry to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Arnol Blackhouse is not included. Access, weather and operating conditions can change the order of stops.
Day 4: Lewis to Inverness — Ferry · Knockan Crag · Falls of Shin · Glenmorangie · Inverness
Take the ferry back across the Minch into the north-west Highlands, with a walk at Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve and its wide views across Assynt. Continue to the woodland and waterfalls of the Falls of Shin and Glenmorangie Distillery, then your final night in Inverness.
Glenmorangie Distillery admission is not included. Ferry schedules, seasonal opening and access can change the order of the day.
Day 5: Inverness to Edinburgh — Loch Ness · Urquhart Castle · Fort Augustus · Glencoe · Highland cows
Begin beside Loch Ness, with the chance to cruise towards Urquhart Castle, then lunch in Fort Augustus where the Caledonian Canal meets the loch. Travel south through Glencoe, stopping beneath the Three Sisters, with a chance of one final Highland cow stop on the way back to Edinburgh.
The Loch Ness cruise is not included.
The itinerary is a guide. Ferry schedules, weather, attraction availability, road conditions and other circumstances may require stops, timings or the running order to change.
Accommodation — two nights in Inverness and two on Lewis, not included
Four nights along the route: Nights 1 and 4 in Inverness, with Nights 2 and 3 on the Isle of Lewis around Stornoway. Accommodation is not included in the tour price, so you choose how to arrange it.
Included
- Ferry crossings between Ullapool and Stornoway
- Expert Scotland's Wild guide and storyteller for all five days
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Guided short walks and active sightseeing stops
- A full touring day on Lewis, plus Luskentyre Beach on Harris
- Small group — maximum 16 travellers
Not included
- Accommodation for the four nights
- Meals and snacks
- Loch Ness cruise (optional)
- Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Arnol Blackhouse admission
- Glenmorangie Distillery admission
- Culloden Visitor Centre admission
Departure
Outside The Jolly Botanist, 256–260 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT
Please arrive by 8:15am so your guide can check everyone in before the 8:30am departure — scheduled tours can't wait for late guests. The tour returns to the same meeting point on Day 5. The meeting point is outside; the bar itself may not be open that early.
Check-in: 8:15am · Departs: 8:30am · Back: approx. 7–8pm
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