The Outer Hebrides & The Highlands
Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides
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You are viewing the 2019 itinerary
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Enjoy an adventure to Scotland's idyllic Outer Hebrides and The Highlands on a tour that takes in the UK's most famous train line, the West Highland Line, as well as time in Stornoway.
You arrive in Glasgow today to meet your fellow travellers and Tour Manager. This lovely and industrial city has become one of Scotland's best tourist highlights, with amazing architecture delightfully representing the old beauty of the city, and combining with the more modern pieces that showcase the more modern wonderland that this revived city has become. You overnight here, with our first dinner served at the hotel this evening.
Enjoy a journey on the magnificent West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William today. This spectacular rail journey travels under the gaze of moody mountains and over stone bridges on a route which takes in the best of the wild and dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
This rail journey is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world, and for very good reason. Few things can beat the stunning and moody drama of the glorious Scottish Highlands, with purple heather running rampant over the moorlands and breathtaking mountain scenery.
We arrive in Fort William, where we transfer to our hotel. This evening, we enjoy dinner and a welcome drink.
We continue on the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig today. From the beginning, this is an incredible stretch of one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world. Beginning with a journey along the brooding banks of Loch Eil we continue on to one of the highlights of this journey, the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Built by Robert McAlpine, whose use of concrete earned him the nickname 'Concrete Bob', this famous example of Victorian architecture is truly a wonderful feat of engineering. This viaduct has also become well-known for its inclusion in Hollywood, being used in films such as 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. This stunning section also provides astonishing views of the brooding forests and ancient glens of central Scotland as it passes by Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.
As we draw nearer to Mallaig, we begin to catch sight of the beautiful coast of Scotland, and on a clear day, it is even possible to see across to the Isle of Skye, one of the islands of the Outer Hebrides.
On arrival in Mallaig, we continue by coach through Skye. From here, we travel by ferry to the Outer Hebrides and Stornoway.
Please note: for departures OHS1901,02,03,08,09 & 10 this journey will be by coach.
We take a full-day coach excursion today visiting many of the attractions that the Outer Hebrides has to offer. We begin with the Butt of Lewis, an atmospheric and desolate area that is the most northerly point of Lewis. We then head to the Port of Ness, a pretty little fishing village, where we have some time at leisure.
Next we adjourn to the Callanish Standing Stones and the accompanying visitor centre. The stones were erected in the late Neolithic period and were used for rituals during the Bronze Age, and is surrounded by local legends. We are accompanied by our specialist local guide, who is full of fascinating insights about this wonderful island.
Please note: For Departure OHS1907 Days 4 and 5 are swapped.
We travel by coach through Uists today, stopping at the Kildonnan Museum, which showcases the history of Uists, as well as being the home to the Clan Ranald Stone. This stone was carved in the late 1500s, and after going missing in 1990, was eventually discovered in a flat in London, and now resides in its homeland. We break for lunch before visiting Flora McDonald's birthplace, a Jacobite heroine who is said to have smuggled Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Isle of Skye, inspiring the traditional 'Skye Boat Song'.
After some time at leisure, we transfer back to the ferry terminal, where we sail back to Leverburgh and transfer to our hotel.
Please note: For Departure OHS1907 Day 4 and 5 are swapped.
We enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Stornoway, the largest town in the Outer Hebrides. Some of the sights that can be seen around this area are the lovely turn-of-the-century Town Hall, and impressive Lews Castle, a beautiful crenellated Victorian-style fortress built in the 19th century for the man who'd bought the entire Isle of Lews, Sir James Matheson.
After time for lunch, we transfer to Ullapool on the mainland. We enjoy a coach journey through the awe-inspiring scenery of the northern Highlands of Scotland on our way to Inverness, an iconic city on the east coast of the country. We arrive into Inverness just in time for dinner, and we check into our overnight hotel here.
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Inverness today, taking in some of the most delightful sights. You may like to walk by the banks of the River Ness, which feeds the famous Loch Ness, and enjoy the sights that line the banks. One of the delightful sights is Inverness Castle that overlooks the river. Although it is not possible to enter Inverness Castle, it is still an arrestingly delightful sight that is perfect for your last full day in Scotland.
You may also like to visit Inverness Cathedral, and delight in its beautiful nave. This afternoon, we take the train onwards to Glasgow, where we enjoy a final farewell meal at our hotel.
Following breakfast this morning you are free to depart at your leisure.
The Outer Hebrides section of the tour is guided by a local specialist guide Chris Ryan. Chris came to live on the Isle of Lewis in 1993, taking up residence in his wife's croft which had been in her family for many generations. Chris was the first professional guide on the Isle of Lewis.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 1 verified review
Everything was great but one part of the trip entailed too long on a coach and an overnight should have been scheduled. On the last morning at Cabarfeidh there was no senior person, 3 coach tours and they ran out of gas...no hot food for breakfast and only at end was toast and tea brought and that was because the staff stepped up and were wonderful esp. Jack. Though not Great Rail's fault it should be investigated...the meals were not 4 star either. Perhaps some competition & another hotel used on occasion as the management seem to have become complacent.
If you had selected betterl hotels, as I mention below, then probably it would have gained an extra star! Accommodation is an important part of a holiday, i'm surprised I have to mention this!
Could write an essay but haven't time unfortunately
Well organised. Good hotels and a lovely group of people.
Generally great hotels - loved the character of the one in Bara; a bit disappointed by the standard of the food in Glasgow. The Guide on the Islands was super - we would have liked a day or two to explore on our own, e.g. in Stornaway or simply to have a little more time to look closely at the Standing Stones, even being able to do some walking. We were concerned at the mobility issues of our party - it was rather a worry!
The organisation was, as usual, very good, the hotels also were very well chosen. The weather played its part with sun most days which made photography easy with some great results.
A well-run tour. We could have got an earlier train from Glasgow? on the first day.
The outer Hebrides lived up to our expectations. The tour packed in as many places as possible in the time available and accomodation and meals were of a generally good standard. This tour involves a lot of travel on buses, trains and ferries.
The hotelier at the hotel will on Barra was rude and hostile to visitors. Three mealtimes, inc the Barra Hotel and the Nevis Hotel, were at 6.30pm - our concerns that this was too early were ignored. Other than that the trip was great.
That was the overall ambience
Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides
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