The Outer Hebrides - also known as the Western Isles - boast clear blue seas, vast deserted beaches and rich gaelic culture. Our guided walking holiday explores the rugged wilderness landscape and history of the outer isles and the magnificent mountain and coastal scenery of the Isle of Skye.
Day 1 – Travel to the Outer Hebrides
We travel to the Isle of Lewis traversing the northern Highlands and taking a ferry across The Minch to the Outer Hebrides. Our destination is the Butt of Lewis, where a small crofting community clings to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout our walking holiday the islanders' tradition of Gaelic hospitality will be evident, as will the beauty, peace and tranquillity of the islands. An afternoon walk to the Butt of Lewis introduces you to walking in the Outer Hebrides.
Day 2 – Walking in the Outer Hebrides: Carloway and Callanish
Walking in the Outer Hebrides offers superb coastal scenery, a sense of wilderness and the opportunity to visit fascinating historic sites. A morning walk along the wild coastline precedes a visit to the well-preserved Iron Age fortress at Carloway. We follow this with a spiritually moving exploration of majestic stone circles at Callanish, set high on a moor with a backdrop of sea and mountains. (8 km, 5 hrs)
Day 3 – Walking in the Outer Hebrides: Uig and West Lewis
We explore wonderful Sands of Uig and the rugged hills immediately south of them. If conditions are suitable, we may ascend Mealisval, the highest of these peaks. Although this ascent would be a moderate graded walk, it gives a tremendous vantage point with vast beaches, remote glens and rugged peaks creating a real wilderness landscape. (11 km, 5 hrs)
Day 4 – Walking in the Outer Hebrides: Beaches & Machair of Harris
Today we walk on the "machair" of Harris, the Gaelic name for the coastal hinterland which in summer is a carpet of wild flowers. We climb Toe Head (365m), high above Traigh Scarasta, from where St. Kilda can be seen jutting out of the Atlantic horizon. We then visit the famous sands of Luskintyre where we relax and enjoy fine views to the island of Taransay, of BBC’s "Castaway" fame. (6 km, 3 hrs)
Day 5 – Walking on the Isle of Skye: Quirang & the Old Man of Storr
We journey over the sea to the Isle of Skye, where we explore the stark and unusual landscapes of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on foot. We will also visit Kilt Rock and the charming village of Staffin on this relaxing day. (8 km, 3 hrs)
Day 6 – Walking on the Isle of Skye: Glen Sligachan and the Cuillins
Glen Sligachan is one of the most picturesue glens in Scotland, with the Red Cullin hills on the east flank and the Black Cuillin on the west. Our hike takes us deep into the glen where we will gain views of remote Loch Coruisk or perhaps visit one of the Red Cuillin summits. (15km, 5 hrs)
Day 7 – Return to Inverness via Glen Shiel
Following breakfast, we reluctantly leave the Isle of Skye and cross the bridge back to the mainland. Our return journey takes up past the spectacular Cuillin mountains, over the Kyle of Lochalsh and up Glen Shiel. We enter the Great Glen and travel past Loch Ness, arriving in Inverness by late afternoon.
Notes:
2008 DATES: 31 May - 6 June; 5-11 July; 9-15 August; 13-19 September
GRADING: Easy
Please note - cost excludes flights
Start: Inverness 0800 hours
Finish: Inverness 1600 hours
Please note that the itinerary above is an intended programme only. The order of daily walks/activities may be amended and alternative routes may be selected at the guide’s discretion.
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