Harris & Lewis Island Discovery

DAY 1

We spend our first night in Glasgow at the contemporary Radisson Blu Hotel ideally located close to the central railway station. Spend time admiring Glasgow's Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture or explore the city using the 'Clockwork Orange' Glasgow's underground system before our first dinner together this evening.

DAY 2

This morning we travel north on the stunning West Highland Line, admiring the watery landscapes of the Firth of Clyde and Gareloch. With scenery becoming ever more dramatic, we trundle beside Loch Long and skirt the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond before climbing into the western Highlands. At Crianlarich, we continue northwards, over Rannoch Moor towards our destination of Fort William. In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing cruise on Loch Linnhe - a lovely sea loch - looking out for seals and porpoises, diving birds and perhaps a golden eagle. Following our cruise, we return to the Onich Hotel for dinner.

DAY 3

After an early breakfast we continue our journey by private coach travelling through Stunning highland scenery passing the famous Eilean Donan castle on the way. As we reach the coast at the Kyle of Lochalsh we cross the marvellous Skye bridge, our entrance to the Western Isles. We travel via Broadford and over the famous Cuillin Hills to the capital Portree, where we enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon we travel the shores of Loch Snizort to Uig for our early afternoon ferry cruise to Tarbet on the Isle of Harris & Lewis. Our journey takes us past numerous lochans and beautiful beaches before we arrive at our base The Caladh Inn, Stornoway for the next three nights.

DAY 4

Today we explore the most northerly island of the Hebrides and the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. Lewis has a history that goes back thousands of years and ancient stone circles and standing stones can be found everywhere. We learn about the dramatic landscape on a full day tour in the company of our island guide, including the impressive standing stones of Callanish, a traditional thatched blackhouse settlement, and the ancient broch at Carloway, one of Scotland's best preserved defensive structures dating back 2,000 years we also visit the port of Ness and the butt of Lewis lighthouse the most northerly point on the island

DAY 5

This morning we depart our hotel for our guided tour of the Isle of Harris & Lewis, a rugged landscape of moorland, deep-sea lochs, mountains, and a proud history. We meet with an expert local guide to explore Harris, We begin by travelling to the tiny island of Scalpay which is connected to Harris via a single track bridge and is popular for fishing, diving & walking. During the day we pass numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the Western Isles. We arrive back at the capital Stornoway and our hotel in time for our evening meal together.

DAY 6

We depart the Hebrides this morning by ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool before our spectacular journey through to Inverness. We have a little free time in Inverness before boarding our train to Stirling, journeying through the glorious Cairngorms. We stay at the Stirling Highland Hotel for the next two nights.

DAY 7

We spend today relaxing in our hotel and exploring the stunning city of Stirling. Why not visit the impressive Stirling castle with its rich history. Stirling old town jail gives a fascinating insight into life inside the infamous correction facility or for the more energetic why not visit the famous national Wallace monument which offers amazing city views and the story of Scotland's most famous son William Wallace, we reconvene for our final evening meal together.

DAY 8

We bid farewell to Stirling as we make our way homeward.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner