Hebridean Discovery

from Inverness

Lewis and Harris together make up the largest island in Scotland. These two neighbours are very different in character and landscape making them an ideal short-break destination.

Day One: Inverness to the Outer Hebrides

From Inverness we travel through the Black Isle and make our way to the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths.

Dunrobin Castle is one of Scotland's great houses and is home to the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle, which resembles a French chateâu, boasts 189 rooms as well as extensive gardens. We'll make a stop so you'll have the opportunity of visiting this magnificent castle*.

Later we'll learn about one of the oldest landscapes in Europe when we visit the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.

The fishing port of Ullapool sits on Loch Broom and is where we board our ferry for our crossing of The Minch to reach Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis. The sailing will take 2 hours 45 minutes and our cruise-ferry boasts extensive lounge and dining facilities.

On arrival in Stornoway it is a short drive to our accommodation for the next two nights.

Overnight: Stornoway

Day Two: Exploring Lewis

After breakfast we leave our hotel and make the drive to the Butt of Lewis where a lighthouse stands warning passing ships of the nearby rocks. This is the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides. Due west from here is nothing but the North Atlantic until you reach Newfoundland, Canada!

The astonishing Callanish Standing Stones is our next visit *. Archaeologists believe that these 15 foot (5 m) stones were placed here by Neolithic people sometime between 3,000 and 1,000 BC and the site is rated second in importance only to Stonehenge.A point of major historical interest is the impressive Dun Carloway Broch *, an Iron Age stone fort known to have been built more than 2,000 years ago. This is one of the best preserved fortified towers in Scotland and it's beautifully located with wonderful views over Loch Carloway and the sea beyond.

Traditional Harris Tweed is produced by around 140 independent craftsmen and women who work tirelessly at their home looms, skilfully intertwining warp and weft in hundreds of patterns and colour combinations. We’ll visit a local artisan who will demonstrate for us the traditional method of weaving*.

Overnight Stornoway

Day Three: Exploring Harris/Outer Hebrides to Inverness

Today we cross from Lewis into the neighbouring island of Harris.The mountainous scenery that we shall experience was formed millions of years ago and is some of the oldest rock on the planet. The northern section of Harris is almost lunar-like.

Nestled in a valley where North and South Harris meet, and set against a backdrop of rugged mountain peaks, sits the island’s main settlement of Tarbert. We'll spend some time here before moving on to enjoy the views over the beautiful Sound of Taransay.

Luskentyre Beach, which appears never-ending, is the ideal spot for a relaxing walk and, perhaps, some beach combing. Look out for the machairs which sit behind the beach. These green grassy plains are covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer.

We meander our way back to Stornoway where there is time for lunch. Our island interlude ends when we board the ferry for our crossing of The Minch. On arrival in Ullapool we travel directly back to Inverness and, sadly, the end of our tour.

 

* Admission fees extra

Highlights: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ferry to the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway, Butt of Lewis, Callanish Standing Stones, Dun Carloway Broch, Harris Tweed demonstration, Beach combing on Harris, Rodel and Ullapool.