Hebridean Island Adventure

We start our journey via Glencoe for a lunchtime stop in Fort William. Basking on Loch Linnhe's shores and surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery, Fort William has one of the most desirable settings in Scotland. After a chance to explore, we travel to admire the stunning views of Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most famous landmarks. With the castle perched on a tiny island at the junction of three great lochs for the opportunity to take an iconic photo here. We continue by crossing the magnificent Skye Bridge onto our overnight stay in the village of Broadford, nestled beneath the motherly shape of Ben na Calliach, "the hill of the old woman".

After breakfast, we start our scenic drive through the Isle of Skye. The second-largest of Scotland's islands is unarguably the most beautiful, with its jagged mountain peaks, lochs and stunning coastline. You'll enjoy a stop in the village of Portree or "port on the slope" in Gaelic, the 'capital' of the island, with its pretty pastel-coloured cottages sheltering snugly around the bay. From here, we continue the short distance to Uig to board our ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist. On arrival, we travel on, crossing the Benbecula Causeway to our next overnight hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Benbecula before setting out on a scenic drive through the Uists, a captivating chain of six islands linked by charming causeways and bridges. Each island has its own character, surrounded by water filled landscapes of lochans and peatlands. We continue to North Uist, a haven for birdlife, before travelling to Berneray for the ferry to Leverburgh on Harris, renowned for its rugged beauty. Our journey then follows the west coast past pristine white beaches and breathtaking scenery, before continuing to Lewis, the largest of the Outer Hebrides, where we arrive near Stornoway for a two night stay.

Today, we enjoy a full-day guided tour of Lewis and Harris, an island of striking contrasts, from rugged mountains and rocky eastern shores to sweeping white beaches washed by Atlantic waves. Our local guide brings the island's rich history to life, from Norse influences to enduring Gaelic traditions. Highlights include the impressive 5,000-year-old Callanish Stones, often described as Scotland's Stonehenge, and the remarkable Carloway Broch, a circular dry-stone tower dating back around 2,000 years. We also visit the Gearrannan Blackhouses Museum, where traditional thatched crofting buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into island life through history.

This morning, we bid farewell to the Outer Hebrides as we board the ferry to Ullapool. Back on the mainland, we continue to Inverness, the 'capital of the Highlands', where there is time to take in the city's historic charm. Our journey then continues through magnificent Highland scenery, skirting the Cairngorms National Park before arriving at our final overnight hotel.

After a fantastic trip, we travel home.