Hebridean Explorer Small Group Tour - 5 day tour
Hebridean Explorer Small Group Tour
5 day / 4 night tour
Visit the magical Hebridean Islands of Harris and Lewis, where the lilt of Gaelic is still widely heard. Travel through the Highlands to reach delightful Ullapool and the cruise ferry bound for the islands! From our base in Stornoway, explore the neighbouring islands of Lewis and Harris in depth. On return to the mainland, visit Inverness and Culloden Moor before returning to Edinburgh.
Small Group Tour - travel in an intimate group of just 16 passengers
Loch Ness - discover the myths and legends of this enigmatic lake
Isle of Lewis - discover dramatic lighthouses, vast moors and the traditional way to make Harris Tweed
Callanish Standing Stones - explore the mystical standing stones that date from Neolithic times
Isle of Harris - tour the lunar landscape of the Harris Hills and walk the famous white sandy beaches
Movie locations - 2001, A Space Odyssey, Brave and Barry Lyndon
Guest house accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Inverness
We leave Edinburgh behind and travel towards Stirling, famous for its mighty castle.
Our scenic drive takes us along the beautiful banks of Loch Lubnaig then on through “bonnie” Strathyre towards Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart. After climbing the “Black Mount”, we reach the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor, which stretches out ahead of us.
The sad story of Glen Coe is retold as we stop to view the imposing yet sinister beauty of Scotland’s most famous glen.
Fort William sits by the banks of Loch Linnhe and in the shadow of mighty Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.
During our drive through the majestic Great Glen, we’ll hear stories of clan battles, folklore and myths that have been handed down through the generations.
The final part of today's journey takes us along the banks of Loch Ness, home to the elusive monster - Nessie!
Our home for tonight is in Inverness, the bustling Capital of the Highlands.
Overnight: Inverness
Day 2 - Inverness - Arnol Blackhouse - 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.
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, we reboard our coach to explore our new island surroundings. The Arnol Blackhouse is a fully furnished, traditional Lewis thatched house that was once the residence of a Hebridean crofting family and their animals. Today, as we will discover, it is preserved almost as the family left it in 1965.
These islands are famed for the production of Harris Tweed, so the last visit of the day is to a weaver to see the fabric being woven using traditional methods - a truly fascinating process.
Later, we make the short journey back to Stornoway, our home, for the next two nights.
Overnight: Stornoway (2 nights)
Day 3 - Exploring Lewis and Harris
We start the day by driving to Dun Carloway Broch, which sits overlooking Loch an Duin. This impressive ruin is thought to have been an ancient stronghold dating from around 200 BC.
Continue time-travelling with a stop to admire the ancient Callanish Standing Stones. This remarkable arrangement of standing stones dates back over 5,000 years. The exact purpose of the stones is a mystery, but experts think the site was probably an astronomical observatory.
After lunch, we will 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 island's main port.
The little island of Taransay has found fame as the setting for the popular TV programme Castaway and the movie "The Rocket Post". We'll stop so you can admire the views and take a stroll along the never-ending sands of Luskentyre Beach. This is a great place to enjoy some beach combing. Look out for the machairs that sit behind the beach - these green grassy plains are covered in a mass of wildflowers in the summer.
St Clement's church in the little village of Rodel was built around 1520 by Alexander MacLeod of Dunvegan and Harris. It's widely regarded as the most magnificent medieval structure in the Western Isles. After exploring this impressive building, we return to Stornoway along the scenic "Golden Road".
* Due to planned facility closures, tours departing in September 2024 will be unable to visit Callanish Standing Stones.
Day 4 - Stornoway - Butt of Lewis - Inverness
After breakfast, we travel westwards to see the Butt of Lewis lighthouse and to experience fantastic clifftop views over the Atlantic Ocean. This remote location has the record for the windiest place in Britain, and due west from here, there is nothing but wild sea until the next landfall in North America!
We return to Stornoway for some free time to explore this bustling port before our island interlude comes to an end, and we catch the ferry back to the mainland.
After sailing past the Summer Isles, the ferry cruises up Loch Broom to berth back in Ullapool.
The road south takes past Loch Droma and its picturesque countryside. Crossing the northern Highlands, we head across the Black Isle again to reach Inverness, our home for tonight.
Overnight: Inverness
Day 5 - Inverness - Cairngorms National Park - Edinburgh
There’s time to explore Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, before travelling the short distance to visit tragic Culloden Moor. Here, Government troops routed the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie 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 can sample a "wee nip” and shop for souvenirs. The Cairngorms National Park is Britain’s largest and contains five of Scotland’s six highest peaks. The park provides a 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, and 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Small Group Tour?
With an average of just 16 passengers (and never more than 20) a Small Group Tour will provide a more intimate and flexible travelling experience.
These tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours just can’t access.
All the small group tours that we feature are operated by purpose built luxury minicoaches that feature air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.
Comfortable guest house accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, tv and other amenities is included in the price of all tours.
A delicious Scottish breakfast is included each morning of your stay.
Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?
To give you complete choice, admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. The tour itinerary has been carefully designed to provide sufficient time for you to visit these attractions:
Arnol Blackhouse
Callanish Standing Stones
Culloden Moor Visitor Centre
Malt Whisky Distillery
If you click on the links above, they will provide you with more information on each attraction, including current admission prices. In some cases a special discount is offered to tour passengers, your driver/guide will provide details if this applies.
Please note that credit/debit cards are not always accepted, so it is recommended that you carry sufficient cash with you should you want to make a visit.
Will I hear Gaelic being spoken?
The Outer Hebrides is the heartland of Gaelic culture and the majority of islanders will speak the Gaelic language, as well as English.
Of course, there is no need to learn Gaelic to enjoy your time in the Outer Hebrides, but if you would like to learn a few words why not try:
Hello - Halò
Goodbye - Mar sin leibh
My name is - Is mise
How are you? - Ciamar a tha sibh?
I’m fine thank you - Tha gu math tapadh leibh
Excuse me - Gabh mo leisgeul
Cheers! - Slàinte!
How many people will be on the tour?
The average number of travellers on a Small Group Tour is 16.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seats cannot be pre-booked however your driver/guide will normally implement a seat rotation system which will allow all passengers the opportunity of experiencing spectacular views from different seats on the minicoach.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 4 nights guest house accommodation
- Location: Inverness (2) and Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (2)
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (4)
Tour Essentials
- Transportation by luxury air-conditioned minicoach
- Live commentary in English
- Ferry to Isle of Lewis
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure information
From 1 Parliament Square
Royal Mile/High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Check-in: 08:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 19:00 hrs
Child details
Concession discount applies to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Luggage Allowance
One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs:
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
HEX 00326
Blogs and Guides - discover insider tips and ideas
Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
-
Rating:(4 /5) 10 Aug 2024
Cameron, our driver, was very knowledgeable. The reason I went on this tour was to see the scenery; I was not disappointed, it was stunning.
Janice from Hitchin, GB
-
Rating:(4 /5) 30 May 2023
Visiting the Hebrides is a ‘must do’. Butt of Lewis was breathtaking. Harris Tweed experience amazing. Historical narrative throughout was illuminating.
Jacqueline from Maroochydore, AU
-
Rating:(5 /5) 06 Sep 2022
The five day tour of the highlands and Harris and Lewis was great, everything I would have hoped for. I learnt a lot about the history of Scotland as well as seeing spectacular scenery.
Naomi from Chatswood, AU
8 day tour from £ 1500.00