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The Outer Hebrides and The Highlands

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4.1 stars(92 reviews)
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Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides

8 days From £1,545 per person

2022 Tour code: OHS22

About the tour

Soak up the spectacular natural majesty of some of Scotland's most scenic spots. We visit the idyllic Outer Hebrides and the ever-dramatic Highlands, journeying through some of the most spectacular Scottish scenery on the famous West Highland Line.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Glasgow

We meet at our hotel in Glasgow, a city of striking architecture, both historic and contemporary. After checking in, there's some free time to start exploring ahead of a group dinner.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The West Highland Line

We travel 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. Widely regarded as one of the most scenic train rides in the UK, we soak up the stunning drama of the glorious Scottish Highlands, where purple heather runs rampant over the moorlands and ancient forests tower above us.

Your hotel stay in Fort William will be at either the Nevis Bank Inn or the Alexandra Hotel (depature dependant)

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Outer Hebrides

We continue on the West Highland Line to Mallaig, travelling along the banks of Loch Eil and crossing the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct. This famous Victorian archway is a true feat of engineering, and well-known for its cameo in the Harry Potter films. We enjoy astonishing views of the valley below, as well as the glens and lochs of central Scotland before arriving in Mallaig, where we get our first glimpse of the beautiful Scottish coastline. We continue by coach through Skye, boarding a ferry* to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

*You will need to take you own bags on the ferry, rather than them travel via our luggage service.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Sea eagle safari

We take to the waters for a unique sea eagle safari this morning. While we hope to see these majestic creatures, which are larger than golden eagles, soaring above us, other wildlife, such as heron, seals, dolphins and even whales, depending on the time of year, may also make an appearance. Back on dry land, we make our way to the nearby Royal Hotel for a hot fish and chip lunch overlooking the quaint harbour.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – The Butt of Lewis and the Callanish Standing Stones

Today's coach excursion begins with a visit to the Butt of Lewis, an atmospheric area at the most northerly point of the island. We continue to the Port of Ness, a pretty fishing village, where we stop off at the Ness historical society. Next, we visit the Callanish Standing Stones, erected in the late Neolithic period and used for rituals during the Bronze Age leaving them surrounded in legend to this day. We also stop at Doune Carloway Broch before our final visit of the day, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a preserved 1800s village. Back at our hotel this evening, we're joined by an expert guest speaker, Magaidh Smith, for a talk about local Gaelic culture.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Stornoway and Inverness

We head to the Stornoway Museum, which tells the story of this island in the Outer Hebrides and the people who have called it home for the past 5,000 years. With a wide range of artefacts and interactive exhibits, this is a fascinating place to spend a couple of hours. After time for lunch, we transfer to Ullapool on the mainland, where we board a coach for the journey through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Highlands to Inverness.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Discovering Inverness

Enjoy a free morning in Inverness. You may like to walk along the banks of the River Ness, which feeds Loch Ness, stopping at Inverness Castle, which sits on its banks. You may also like to visit Inverness Cathedral and see its striking nave. After time for lunch, we make our way to the station where we catch the train back to Glasgow.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Home

After breakfast this morning, our holiday comes to an end and you're free to begin your journey homewards.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

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.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Alexandra Hotel, Fort William

Alexandra Hotel, Fort William

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Nevis Bank Inn

Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

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Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

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Macdonald Hotel Drumossie

Macdonald Hotel Drumossie, Inverness

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Palace Hotel Inverness, Inverness

Palace Hotel Inverness, Inverness

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Borve House Hotel, Isle of Lewis

Borve House Hotel, Isle of Lewis

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Train

West Highland Line

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Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 92 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (32)
  2. 4 stars
    (48)
  3. 3 stars
    (5)
  4. 2 stars
    (4)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

MRS EVI TRICKEY

4 stars

Submitted 23/Jun

We had a very good tour manager. It was disappointing that the train journey from Fort William was cancelled but not the fault of GTJ. It rained so hard that day that visibility would not have been good on this spectacular piece of rail track. It was very interesting tooter the Isle of Lewis. I enjoyed the Callanish standing stones. The food was always good. It became a little wearisome continually packing and unpacking.

Collected by Trustpilot

JAYNE KAVANAGH

1 stars

Submitted 23/Jun

Very disappointing, it was organised chaos. It didn’t include hi lights that were on the itinerary. I paid for sole occupancy, I was put in a Chalet with the tour manager for three nights, so unprofessional The view from my bedroom on Isle of Lewis

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JAYNE KAVANAGH
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Lynne & Richard

5 stars

Submitted 1/Jun

Very enjoyable

Collected by Trustpilot

A McClorry

4 stars

Submitted 30/May

Great tour guide and enjoyed the company and holiday very much

Collected by Trustpilot

SJH

5 stars

Submitted 30/May

Well organised even with some trains being cancelled due to post covid driver shortages Phillip Orbell calmly sorted things out he was an excellent representative for the company. Interesting itinery with informative local guide we can thoroughly recommend this tour.

Collected by Trustpilot

Richard H

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

Excellent trip, good value for money.

Collected by Trustpilot

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The Outer Hebrides and The Highlands

Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides

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