10 Day Island Hopper |
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Departs Tuesdays Check In: 08:30 / Return: 18:30 |
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If there's no availability for a particular date, e-mail or call to confirm!
The ultimate tour of Scotland!
In just over a week you will see more of Scotland than most Scots ever do. A vast variety of terrain and culture all within so few miles.
We have been touring Lewis & Harris and Orkney for years and to bring them together in one tour is a dream come true!
The Highlights!
- Explore the Islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis with their Gaelic heritage. Rugged mountains, perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise waters (swim if you dare!).
- Delve into the amazing history of Orkney from the Neolithic Age through the Picts and Vikings to the Second World War and beyond.
- Create unforgettable memories with the natural splendour of Glencoe, monster spotting at Loch Ness, the romantic Eilean Donan Castle and the heartbreaking Culloden Battlefield.
- Entrance to Gearrannan Blackhouse Museum with its Harris Tweed weaving demonstration, Bosta Iron Age (Jun - Aug), Highland Park distillery for a wee dram, Skara Brae (Stone Age Village) and a Neolithic tomb on Orkney.
- Seafood boat trip with a local fisherman - native wildlife occasionally included!
- Return ferry crossings to the Outer Hebrides and Orkney.
- All hostel accommodation including 2 nights in a traditional Blackhouse plus a night in Sleeperzzz - funky train carriages converted for comfort!
- All evening meals and breakfasts - cooked together as a group or provided by the hostel.
- 10th July Departure Only - kitty also includes a ticket for Friday night at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway! Enjoy a superb evening of live music in the grounds of Lews Castle.
Day 1 - Leaving Edinburgh we enjoy a superb day meandering our way into the Highlands. Hear all about William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy MacGregor with walks for fantastic views. After a picnic lunch, it's into magnificent Glencoe (the massacre of Clan MacDonald) where they'll be plenty of time to explore the dramatic beauty of arguably Scotland's most famous glen. We continue through the Great Glen with views of Ben Nevis towards Eilean Donan Castle (where Highlander was filmed) for a short stop before arriving at the picturesque village of Plockton for our first night. It's the perfect introduction to our superb country!
Day 2 - This morning we begin with a morning seafood & seal cruise with local fisherman Neil. The rest of today will be spent exploring the Isle of Skye, with lots of walks and time to take in the magic. You'll see the Cuillin Mountains, the Old Man of Storr (an incredible Jurassic pillar) and hear some of the tales and legends surrounding the MacDonalds and MacLeods, the two main Clans of the island. We'll visit the fascinating Kilt Rock, and take in absolutely awe-inspiring panoramas in the Quirang. Tonight we'll stay on the magical Isle of Skye.
Day 3 - The morning we will head for Uig to catch the ferry over the sea to the Isle of Harris where we will spend the afternoon checking out Rodel Church, home to the tomb of Alisdair Crotach MacLeod and going for great coastal walks along some of the best beaches (yes, we have beaches!) in the world! Then we make our way up into Lewis and over to the west coast where an amazing original Blackhouse (renovated for comfort!) is our home for the next 2 nights.
Day 4 - A great day on Lewis with time spent at a recently discovered Iron Age village at Bosta, the amazing 4,000 year old Callanish Standing Stones (second only to Stonehenge), exploring the ancient Broch (fortified dwelling house) of Dun Carloway and witnessing the traditional making of Harris tweed! Then if we have enough energy left late afternoon (of course we will!) there is a superb coastal walk to Dalmore bay, next to the Blackhouse.
Day 5 - Stornoway, the capital of Lewis, is our destination this morning and there's time to wander the streets, see the harbour and wander the castle grounds before taking the ferry back to the mainland at Ullapool. Then, with a stop at Corrieschalloch Gorge to stretch the legs, we make our way to the Great Glen Hostel, surrounded by mountains.
Day 6 - This morning we'll try to spot our elusive monster in Loch Ness before we wind our way north along the North East Coast and the Moray Firth. Taking in the surroundings of Dunrobin Castle, home of the Duke of Sutherland, discovering the ghostly clearance villages perched on the cliff tops and the harbours where they tried to make a living. There'll be time for a great walk to try and spot a puffin or two (May - July) as we take in the sea stacks of Duncansby Head before a wee stop in John O'Groats. This evening we catch the ferry through the Scapa Flow to St Margaret's Hope where we'll stay for the next three nights. A great place to meet the locals ... especially in the pub next door!
Day 7 - From our base in the fishing village of St Margaret's Hope we spend a full and energetic day today exploring the islands - it will be packed with Viking ancestry and world-renowned archaeological treasures such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brogar. Plus a chance to gaze in wonder at the island's Italian Chapel, search for the coastal Puffins (May-July) and also walk to one of the neighbouring islands. Loads of time will be spent off the bus and much time spent walking especially along some of the fantastic beaches - a day to remember (another one!).
Day 8 - Our second full day will explore neolithic tombs, the city of Kirkwall with St Magnus Cathedral, discover the gloup (?!) and enjoy a wee dram in Scotland's most northernly distillery - Highland Park. Once back in St Margaret's Hope perhaps sample one of the local Orkney ales with a well earned seat in the local pub!
Day 9 - We catch the early morning ferry back to mainland Scotland where we wind our way along the far North Western coastline - a chance to explore the famous Smoo caves and some of the most remote and rugged landscapes Europe has to offer. Deserted beaches, towering mountains, sparkling lochs and the wide open skies really set the tone today before we arrive at Sleeperzzz*, our home for the evening.
Day 10 - Our last day takes us past the banks of Loch Ness for a second chance to spot Nessie before an emotional stop at tragic Culloden battlefield. Then we cheer ourselves up with beautiful forest walks at the Hermitage before making our way over the Firth of Forth back to Edinburgh - happy honorary Scots!
We're certain that this will be a really special trip, and one you'll remember for a long time to come. We look forward to seeing you.
Tour itineraries and accommodation can vary due to acts of God etc, but we normally stick to this. kitty includes hostels, evening meals, breakfasts etc. Everything except lunch, drinks and souvenirs.
Please note that this tour shares the first 5 days with the 6 Day Hebridean passengers - on the 5th day of the tour you will have a change of tour guide and may be joined by new passengers for the rest of the trip.Tour itineraries and accommodation can vary due to acts of God etc, but we normally stick to this.
Alternative tours
Want to see Loch Ness but short on time? Check out our 2 Day Loch Ness & Highlands
Short on time but want to discover the Isle of Skye try 3 day Skye & Highlands
Looking for a new Scottish island to discover? Try our 4 Day Islay & Oban
Looking for a great way to spend christmas or hogmanay? check out our 4 Day Christmas Cracker and our 4 Day Highland Hogmanay Tour
Want a tour that explores more of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye? Check out our 5 Day Skye & Highlands
Or if you are up for an adventure to the remoter islands over summer but are short on time have a read of our 6 Day Hebridean Explorer and our 6 Day Orkney & Highlands
