Outer Hebrides & Skye Adventure 2026

Wake up, enjoy your breakfast, and look out over Loch Broom as it glistens under the morning sky. We’ll board a ferry later on today to cross the sea to the Outer Hebrides.

We board the ferry and start the exciting journey past the Summer Isles to Stornoway, in the Outer Hebrides. This two and a half-hour boat trip takes you through the sea called the Minch, which is said to be inhabited by the Hebridean Sea Serpent. Look out to sea, you may catch a glimpse of this mythical creature. If you’re not lucky, there’s still a chance of seeing dolphins and whales.

You arrive at Stornoway on the Western Isles and have lunch in one of the cafes or restaurants. Recharged with the local specialties, you start your explorations of these unique and remote islands. You will spend your next two days discovering the rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the slower way of life the Outer Hebrides are known for. You head to the Northwest coast, travelling through traditional crofting towns and seaside ports. Your driver-guide takes you to the Butt of Lewis; the oldest continuously used lighthouse in the archipelago that was designed by the famous engineer Robert Stevenson.

After seeing the dramatic cliffs and facing the powerful Atlantic Ocean you travel through the Isle of Lewis to your overnight accommodation in Stornoway. The evening is yours, so you can decide how to spend your time. Will you try the famous local black pudding? Will you stroll along the picturesque harbour? The choice is yours.

Your overnight accommodation will be in Stornoway.(B)

Today, you immerse yourself in the history and landscapes of this wild island. You first head north to see Arnol Blackhouse. Here, you can experience what traditional farming life was like in these remote reaches as you explore a restored 19th-century croft house.

A little down the road, you visit the stone fort of Dun Carloway. This structure is believed to be a fortification or an ancient residence and it was built before 100AD. It’s a wonderful location to ponder over the vast swathes of history that have come before you.

The rest of your afternoon is spent in the beautiful serene beaches, along the rugged coast and mountains of the western side of Lewis. You travel to Stornoway through a different side of the island, through the landscape dotted with lochs and moors that is home to rich wildlife.

You’ve got another evening in Stornoway, so why not try some more of fresh food and talk to locals about the island’s legends and mysteries?

Your overnight accommodation will be in Stornoway. (B)

It’s time for something a little more dramatic. It’s time to see the Isle of Harris. The first thing you notice about Harris are the mountains. And as you weave through the towering marvels, your guide will tell you about the traditions and tales of this part of Scotland. We explore the island in the morning and stop for a short break in Tarbert, nestled in between the Isle of Lewis and Harris.

You continue to discover the wild and remote charms of the Isle of Harris as you stop in various beautiful places.

Depending on the weather you’ve been blessed with, you can head to Leverburgh, a charming village with a picturesque harbour, or you have a picnic lunch in a scenic location. Then, you travel to the gem of the island, Luskentyre beach, often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here, powdery white sands meet crystal-clear turquoise waters and all that unspoilt beauty is framed by rugged Scottish scenery. Then it’s time to say farewell to the remote and tranquil Outer Hebrides because we need to hop back on a ferry in Tarbert and continue over the sea to Skye.

We get off the ferry in Uig, on the Misty Isle and travel through the Trotternish Peninsula to Portree. This part of the island captures your imagination with its surreal rock formations, steep rugged cliffs, vast empty spaces, and the overall sense of wilderness. The ever-changing weather adds to the dramatic scenery, with mist often shrouding the peaks and sunlight breaking through to illuminate the landscape, creating a magical atmosphere. We head towards Skye’s capital, Portree, where you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening, giving you plenty of time to venture out and explore the charming town.

Your overnight accommodation will be in Portree. (B)

Every horizon in Skye conceals something astoundingly beautiful. So today, your driver-guide makes the most out of your time and weather in this marvel-studded landscape.

Exploring Skye feels like stepping into a dream, with countless places to explore. You might head north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond, where you’ll encounter geological wonders such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the breathtaking Quiraing mountain pass. This part of the island enchants visitors with surreal rock formations, dramatic cliffs, vast open spaces, and an overwhelming sense of wilderness.

After all this exploration, we’ll pause in one of the island’s towns for lunch to recharge for the second part of the day. In the late afternoon, your driver-guide may take you back in time, sharing stories about the legends and clan culture surrounding Dunvegan Castle, the 13th-century ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod.

After you’ve enjoyed the sights of Skye, you have your final evening in Portree. There are plenty of fabulous seafood restaurants to celebrate a fine day of exploring. Will you have dinner and take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque harbour? Or will you seek out pubs and venues hosting traditional Scottish music sessions? The choice is yours.

Your overnight accommodation will be in Portree. (B)

We travel south through the Misty Isle, passing the Cuillin Hills and Sligachan Bridge, before returning to the mainland for a closer look at Eilean Donan Castle.

Perched on a small island, the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, which has recently gained fame as a movie location, has many old stories to tell. You can enjoy refreshments at a local café and stroll along the loch to admire the castle from the outside. Alternatively, you can explore its chambers, where you’ll discover a collection of artifacts belonging to the MacKenzie and MacRae clans. Then, we head past shimmering lochs framed by rugged mountains of the Five Sisters of Kintail. After this visual feast of towering peaks, we travel to Fort William for a break.

You’ve got time for lunch in this charming Highland town nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis. Sample local cuisine and wander the streets of the town centre, before you continue the journey south. Then, your driver-guide may become a little emotional as you move through the valley of Glencoe, one of our most famous natural landmarks. Renowned for its dramatic, rugged slopes, this stunning area was the site of one of the most tragic events in Scottish history. We continue through the wild and desolate landscapes of the Rannoch Moor through the Trossachs National Park past shimmering lochs, rugged mountain peaks, and forest-filled glens and we have a short break along the way.

Further south, after crossing the ancient natural Fault Line that runs across Scotland, you watch as the rugged and majestic landscape of the Highlands turn into the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands as we return to Edinburgh. (B)