5 Day Outer Hebrides Coach Tour from Edinburgh
Get away from it all with this tour to the Outer Hebridean Islands of Lewis and Harris, home to pre-historic stone circles of Callanish and the famous white sandy beaches of Harris. This amazing tour runs alternate Thursdays through the summer. Price includes accommodation.
Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ullapool, Ferry to Stornoway, Port of Ness, Butt of Lewis, Standing Stones of Callanish, Harris, Culloden Moor, Cairngorm National Park, Perthshire and Forth Bridges.
Day One - Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Loch Ness
We leave Edinburgh behind and travel to Stirling where we make a photo-stop at mighty Stirling Castle. Enjoy the panorama which includes the Wallace Monument and the impressive Ochil Hills as a backdrop. From Stirling we make our way towards Doune, famed for its own castle (of Monty Python’s Holy Grail fame), then onwards to Callander. Shortly the Lowlands of Scotland give way to the spectacular scenery of the Highlands.
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 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. After leaving Fort William look out for mighty Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain before we experience the majestic grandeur of the Great Glen. As we drive through this spectacular scenery there are stories to be told of clan battles, folklore and myths that have been handed down through the generations.
Our home for tonight is in Fort Augustus, situated on the banks of mysterious Loch Ness.
Overnight Fort Augustus
Day Two - Loch Ness – Inverewe Gardens - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (2 nights)
After breakfast we drive along the banks of enigmatic Loch Ness. As we do keep a close watch just in case 'you know who' makes an appearance! After a brief panoramic tour of Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, we enjoy grandstand views over the Moray Firth as we travel over the Kessock Bridge. After crossing the Black Isle we shall make our way through the rugged landscape of the western Highlands.
Try and spot the salmon leaping as we enjoy a walk along the Black Water to view the Rogie Falls then it’s a short drive to our next treat, lush Inverewe Gardens *. In stark contrast to the remote surroundings a wide variety of exotic plants and shrubs survive here, thanks to the efforts of the Gulf Stream.
We’ll make a stop to visit Corrieshalloch Gorge to see the dramatic Falls of Measach dropping some 150 feet into the ravine below.
The fishing port of Ullapool sits on Loch Broom and is where we board our ferry for the crossing of 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
Day Three - Exploring Lewis and Harris
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.
Our first visit of the day is to the fascinating Arnol Blackhouse Museum*. A traditional blackhouse was a combination of home, barn and stackyard and this example will give you real insight into how life was lived on these islands in times gone by. The weaving of Tweed cloth has, traditionally, been an important home-based industry for islanders so when we visit a local weaver, on our next visit, there will be an opportunity to see the fabric being hand woven in the time-honoured fashion – a truly fascinating process.
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.
Luskentyre Beach which appears never-ending is our next stop of the day so you can 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.
The Atlantic coast leads us to the small community of Rodel and our last visit of the day to 16thCentury St Clements Church. There’s time to stroll around the pretty harbour before we return to our accommodation in Stornoway.
Overnight Stornoway
Day Four - Stornoway - Butt of Lewis - Inverness
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! 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 Five - Inverness to 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.
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 Rail Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.
* Admission fees extra
Inclusions
• Overnight accommodation in twin rooms with private bath/shower
• Full Scottish breakfast
• Ferry charges and reservations
• Transport by luxury minicoach
• Live commentary in English
• Services of an experienced tour host
• Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
• Admission charges unless otherwise stated in the itinerary
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your tour host
The Little Details
- Minimum Age: Age 3+
- Min Age: 3 years
- Tour Vehicle Type: Coach
- Months of Operation: May, June, July, August, September
- Duration of Tour: 5 days
- Departure Point: Edinburgh
- Departure Point: Caffé Nero, 1 Parliament Square, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF
- Departure Time: Check in: 08:15 hrs Departure: 08:30 hrs
- Expected return Time: 19:00 hrs (day 5)
- Duration of Tour: 5 days
Rates & Dates
| Dates | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour (Per Person in GB Sterling ) | ||
| Hotel per person | B&B per person | |
|
Sharing a Twin Room: £695.00
Single Room: £740.00
|
Sharing a Twin Room: £575.00
Single Room: £620.00
|
|
Departs Alternate Thursdays through summer - dates below:
Some availability for 24th August and 7th September
Booking Notes
- Prices are quoted per person per tour
- Customers must provide a valid credit card number.
- Limited availability : advanced booking required.
- Any booking is subject to our Booking Terms.
Full tour operator information including local contact telephone numbers and departure details will appear on your tour voucher/confirmation.
Cancellation Policy: For cancellations more than 30 days prior to departure date - 90% refund. 30 to 15 days - 50% of tour cost will be refunded. 14 days or less - no refund. Full payment is required at the time of booking. We strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any need to cancel.
Some Places We Will Visit
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Loch Ness
Loch Ness is world famous for the wrong reasons: the mythical watery monster than has been subject to repeated scientific investigations without success. Its fame ignores the real attractions of this huge lake framed by mountains and castles that cuts the highlands in two.
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Ullapool
The attractive little fishing port of Ullapool, on the shores of Loch Broom, is the largest settlement in Wester Ross.
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Dunkeld
Quick travel guide on Dunkeld in Perthshire offers information travellers needed to know on Dunkeld, which includes tourist information about Dunkeld and Birnam, attractions and Self- Catering Cottages in Dunkeld.
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Stornoway
The travel guide on Stornoway in Outer Hebrides here guides you with information on and around the place. The guide also include details about getting to Stornoway, sights, sleeping and eating, transportation and essential information needed on a visit to Stornoway.
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Glencoe
Dramatic landscape with a dramatic history. Few who visit the glen are unmoved by its majesty and power.
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North Harris
North Harris comforts well beyond Tarbert adjoining Lewis, and proudly contains Clisham, the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at 799 metres.
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Callanish Standing Stones
The visitor guide to the amazing ring of standing stones at Callanish on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
Castle Visited
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Eilean Donan Castle
One of the world's quintessential castles: Eilean Donan is familiar from films and stunning in its romantic location. Open daily.
Ancient Sites We Visit or Pass
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Doune Broch / Dun Calloway
Dun Carloway is one of the best-preserved Iron Age Brochs in the whole of Scotland dating back to something like 1st century AD. It is near Callanish and should be visited.
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