ULTIMATE OUTER HEBRIDES

The complete tour, from the rugged north to the scenic south.

SAT 1 JULY – MON 10 JULY 2023

SAT 6 JULY – MON 15 JULY 2024

PRICES: from £2495pp

Single supplement: £375 Deposit: £300pp

Max 7 clients. Leader Holly Page (2023)

A complete 10-day tour of the Outer Hebrides, from the Butt of Lewis at the northernmost point, to Mingulay at the southern end of the island chain. A comprehensive tour through the isles in high summer, we pay special consideration towards natural history, including birds, cetaceans, insect life, abundant flora and also key historical and cultural sites, all at a leisurely pace.

Lewis is a fascinating island, internationally important for divers, Greenshank, eagles and other raptors. We head to the northernmost point, the famous Butt of Lewis, a superb seawatching spot, then work our way down the west coast calling in at Dun Carloway broch and the Standing Stones of Callanish. We explore minor roads looking for Golden and White-tailed Eagle, also taking to the water to explore the coastline and sealochs thoroughly. With luck we may connect with cetaceans and perhaps our first Otter and seals. Harris is a scenic gem with a different feel to Lewis with a full range of rugged habitats, long sweeping beaches and dune systems. We spend a full day exploring, and have good chances of Raven, Peregrine, both eagles and perhaps a dashing Merlin.

Our ferry to the southern half of the Outer Hebrides takes a slow journey through islets in the Sound of Harris. We spend a morning on Berneray, and head south to Balranald RSPB reserve on North Uist. Famous for its nesting waders, rich machair and seascapes, this is a favourite place on our Hebridean adventures. We take a boat trip down to Mingulay, the largest of the uninhabited islands at the extreme south of the Outer Hebridean archipelago, superb for seabirds and general scenery, this promises to be an exciting day on the water. On South Uist we look for Otter and Hen Harrier, continuing south one afternoon to Eriskay, another beautiful island now joined by a causeway. We travel by ferry to Barra this island of rich, white sand backed by vibrant green crofting land dotted with outcrops of rock perhaps being one of the most photogenic destinations in Scotland. Finally, we take the ferry from Barra to Oban, with good chances of Minke Whale or a Basking Shark en-route. Number of centres 4.