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The Outer Hebrides and The Highlands

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4.1 stars(24 reviews)
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Small Group

Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
8 days From £1,545 per person
Flexible Booking

Book your 2021 holiday before 31st May and you can transfer your holiday for free - no questions asked. T&C's apply

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2021 Tour code: OHS21

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, and journey 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 - Arrive in Glasgow

We meet in Glasgow, a city which has become one of Scotland's best tourist highlights. The striking architecture here delightfully represents the old beauty of the city, which contrasts against contemporary areas that showcase the modern-day revival of the industrial city. We spend the night here

Includes
  • Dinner
Glasgow
Day 2 - The West Highland Line

We 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 good reason. Few things can beat the stunning drama of the glorious Scottish Highlands, with purple heather running rampant over the moorlands and breathtaking mountain scenery, and we soak it all up on our journey. We arrive in Fort William and transfer to our hotel where we enjoy dinner

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
West Highland Line
Day 3 - The Outer Hebrides

We continue on the West Highland Line to Mallaig. 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. This famous example of Victorian architecture is truly a wonderful feat of engineering, and well-known for its inclusion in the Harry Potter films. We enjoy astonishing views of the ancient forests and glens of central Scotland before arriving in Mallaig for our first glimpse of the beautiful Scottish coastline. We continue by coach through Skye and travel by ferry* to the Outer Hebrides and Stornoway.

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

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Day 4 - The Kildonan Museum and Cultural Centre

We take the ferry to Berneray this morning, continuing by coach to the Stepping Stones restaurant for lunch. Later, we discover more about the area with a visit to the Kildonan Museum and Cultural Centre, where we are accompanied by an expert guide. After, you have some free time to explore more of the museum, craft shop, and archaeology room, or maybe to grab a coffee in the on-site cafe. Sights to be seen here include a recreated croft house with an authentic kitchen, and the Clan Ranald Stone, an ancient carved memorial stone with a fascinating history. We continue to the nearby birthplace of Flora McDonald, famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape Scotland after the Jacobites were defeated in 1746's Battle of Culloden.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 5-6 - The Butt of Lewis and Callanish Standing Stones

We take a coach excursion today, beginning with the Butt of Lewis, an atmospheric area at the most northerly point of Lewis. We continue to the Port of Ness, a pretty fishing village, and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a preserved village from the 1800s. Next, we visit the Callanish Standing Stones and visitor centre. The stones were erected in the late Neolithic period and used for rituals during the Bronze Age, and are surrounded by local legend. We're accompanied by a specialist guide, who is full of fascinating insights about the island.

On Day 6, we head to Tarbet for a visit to the Isle of Harris Distillery, where we enjoy a tour and tasting, and visit the tweed shop. After time for lunch, we transfer to Ullapool on the mainland. We enjoy a coach journey through the awe-inspiring scenery of the Highlands on our way to Inverness, where we check into our hotel.

Includes
  • Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner
Isle of Harris
Days 7-8 - Inverness, Glasgow and home

Enjoy a free morning in Inverness today. You may like to walk by the banks of the River Ness, which feeds the famous Loch Ness. One of the delightful sights that line the banks is Inverness Castle, a beautiful sight. You may also like to visit Inverness Cathedral and see its beautiful nave. This afternoon, we take the train onwards to Glasgow, where we enjoy a final meal at our hotel. Following breakfast on Day 8, you're free to depart.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Loch Ness

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

Nevis Bank Inn

Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

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Apex City of Glasgow Hotel

Apex City of Glasgow Hotel, Glasgow

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Macdonald Hotel Drumossie

Macdonald Hotel Drumossie, Inverness

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Cabarfeidh Hotel

Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

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Train

West Highland Line

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 24 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (6)
  2. 4 stars
    (15)
  3. 3 stars
    (2)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mr C Baynes

3 stars

Submitted 29 Sep 2018

Please see email sent 3 weeks ago. Hotels generally not of standard we expected of Great Rail Journeys. Jury's Inn & Caladh particularly bad. None of hotels offered us a seafood dish although the local guide kept telling us how good the seafood industry was on the islands.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Dr W Parry

4 stars

Submitted 28 Sep 2018

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!

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr C Harris

5 stars

Submitted 17 Aug 2018

Could write an essay but haven't time unfortunately

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs S Ryland

3 stars

Submitted 17 Aug 2018

It was too hectic--usually early starts & long days.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mrs M Brown

4 stars

Submitted 17 Aug 2018

Well organised. Good hotels and a lovely group of people.

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

Mr R Theobald

4 stars

Submitted 13 Aug 2018

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!

Collected by Great Rail Journeys

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Europe & UK by Rail 2021

Europe & UK by Rail 2021

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The Outer Hebrides and The Highlands

Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides

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