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The Outer Hebrides and the Highlands

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4.1 stars(115 reviews)
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Enjoy an adventure to Scotland’s idyllic Outer Hebrides

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
8 days From £1,845 per person

2023 Tour code: OHS23

About the tour

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

Highlights

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – The Isle of Lewis

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, then board a ferry to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Sea eagle safari

We enjoy a boat excursion and 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 herons and seals or dolphins - 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, which are surrounded in legend to this day. Our final visit of the day is to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, a preserved 1800s village.

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, then journey by coach 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 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 where we spend our final night of the tour.

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

Nevis Bank Inn

Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

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Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

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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 · 115 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (41)
  2. 4 stars
    (56)
  3. 3 stars
    (9)
  4. 2 stars
    (6)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

C T

4 stars

Submitted 27 Sep 2022

We would have marked this trip higher but for one of the advertised highlights of the tour, one of the Great Rail Journeys of the world, the Rail trip from Fort William to Mallaig did not take place. The famous train trip was not listed at all on tour notes given to us by our tour leader on the first evening of our trip despite being part of the advertised itinerary. No real explanation was given why were taken by coach to Mallaig for the ferry instead of the train trip. The tour manger said she thought Scotrail had cancelled the train, but I checked, and it was booked to run as normal. We were looking forward to this world class rail journey including the trip over the Glenfinnan Viaduct with its Harry Potter connections. I must admit that day seemed to turn in to 'Great Coach Journeys of the World' rather the Great Train Journeys. I email the company on return and received an automated reply that one of the team would get back to me within 28 days. No reply as yet. (Not so good customer care.) We have used this company before without problem. Putting the above to one side We enjoyed the rest of trip throughout, first class tour manager, guides and drivers. Cannot fault the hotels or food.

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J Baldry

4 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2022

Good trip but some long days. Hotels, food and Tour Manager good. Very disappointed not told until in Glasgow rail trip from Fort William to Mallaig cancelled and replaced with coach journey. Apart from that we enjoyed the holiday.

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Steve Squires

4 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2022

Very busy and some amazing sights seen and enjoyed. Be prepared for a couple of long days and some great photo opportunities. Although the hotels were rated 4 stars they all had plus and minuses. I was thinking of a highlight and to be honest there was so many, you will experience all your senses and feelings on this holiday. Our tour manager was very helpful and engaging

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D Ashworth

4 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2022

Very interesting but tiring holiday. Felt that the trip over to the Isle of Skye and three hours at Eilean Donan Castle was unnecessary, it made the day extremely long, from Breakfast at 6.45 to arriving in Stornoway at 21.30 and then coach to the hotel. The hotel Indigo was poor, lighting in the rooms made it impossible to read or do any close work,also the choice of menu (one being bangers and mash) something I would not entertain at home and certainly not expect in a first class hotel. On a plus point the party was superb and Liz the Tour Manager was wonderful, she was very hardworking and nothing was too much trouble. I would certainly wish to do another holiday with her 'in charge'

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Neil

5 stars

Submitted 22 Sep 2022

Overall an excellent trip except for ludicrous bar prices in the Fort William and Inverness Hotels

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Maggie Evely

5 stars

Submitted 20 Sep 2022

I enjoyed the experience. Good company on this tour.

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UK by Rail 2023

UK by Rail 2023

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