Hebridean Explorer Small Group Tour - 5 day tour

Day 2 - Inverness - Dunrobin Castle - Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)

After leaving Inverness behind, we enjoy grandstand views of the Moray Firth as we cross the Kessock Bridge and travel through the Black Isle.

Opulent Dunrobin Castle is the ancestral home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and is our first stop today. This grand house resembles a French Chateau and is set amongst extensive grounds with formal gardens overlooking the sea.

Our optional visit to Dunrobin will give you time to explore the castle to discover its many treasures and relax in its extensive gardens.

Next, explore the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, which is one of the most important geological sites in Europe. We'll discover more about the mysteries that are locked up in these ancient rocks during our visit.

The fishing port of Ullapool sits on Loch Broom and is where our ferry awaits to sail across The Minch to reach Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The sailing will take 2 hours 45 minutes, and our cruise-ferry boasts extensive lounge and dining facilities.

On arrival in Stornoway, it is a short drive to our accommodation for the next two nights.

Overnight: Stornoway (2 nights)

Day 3 - Isle of Lewis Excursion

Together Harris and Lewis make Scotland’s largest island. These islands have been inhabited for over 6,000 years and there is a real sense of history as we will discover as we spend today discovering Lewis.

After breakfast we will make our way to the Butt of Lewis where a lighthouse stands warning passing ships of the nearby rocks. This is the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides. Due west from here is nothing but the North Atlantic until you reach Newfoundland, Canada!

The astonishing Callanish Standing Stones is our next visit. Archaeologists believe that these 15 foot (5 m) stones were placed here by Neolithic people sometime between 3,000 and 1,000 BC and the site is rated second in importance only to Stonehenge. A short distance away is the impressive Dun Carloway Broch, an Iron Age stone fort known to have been built more than 2,000 years ago. This is one of the best preserved fortified towers in Scotland and it’s beautifully located with wonderful views over Loch Carloway and the sea beyond.

The weaving of Harris Tweed cloth has, traditionally, been an important home-based industry for islanders so when we visit a local weaver, on our last visit of the day, there will be an opportunity to see the fabric being hand woven in the time-honoured fashion – a truly fascinating process.

Day 4 - Isle of Harris Excursion

Today we concentrate on the neighbouring island of Harris. We’ll travel through the imposing hills of North Harris to reach the little village of Tarbert, the main port serving the island.

The little island of Taransay has found fame as the setting for the popular TV programme, Castaway as well as the movie "The Rocket Post”. We’ll stop so you can admire the views and take a stroll along Luskentyre Beach, which appears never-ending. This is a great place to enjoy some beach combing. Look out for the machairs which sit behind the beach - these green grassy plains are covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer.

We return to Stornoway for some free time so can explore this bustling port before our island interlude comes to an end and we catch the ferry back to the mainland.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 5 - Inverness - Cairngorm National Park - Edinburgh

There’s time to explore Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands before travelling the short distance to visit tragic Culloden Moor. It was here that the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was routed by Government troops in a bloody battle in 1746.

We’ll stop at Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery so that you can discover how our National drink is lovingly produced. After our tour you’ll have the chance to sample a "wee nip” and shop for souvenirs. The Cairngorm National Park is Britain’s largest and contains five of Scotland’s six highest peaks. The park provides stunning backdrop to our travels through the Spey Valley then we descend through the Drumochter Pass to reach the pleasant Victorian tourist town of Pitlochry where we will stop for refreshments.

The dramatic scenery of Highland Perthshire gives way to rolling farmland as we reach the "Fair City” of Perth then we join the motorway for our journey through the ancient Kingdom of Fife. The final part of our drive offers wonderful views of the Forth Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.