Skye, Outer Hebrides & NW Highlands
8 Days & 7 Nights 4.3 Read 3 reviews- Journey from Loch Ness to the wild and remote NW
- Look out for whales and dolphins en route to the Outer Hebrides
- Enjoy spectacular views of Skye's Cuillin Ridge
- Wander the white-sand beaches of Harris
- Marvel at the ingenuity of Stone Age man at Callanish on Lewis
What To Expect
Trip Style:
Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active holiday.
Activity:
Drive & Hike | Enjoy the best of a large region by car and on foot. Day hikes in the best places. Itinerary usually inn to inn, with mapping provided. No bag transfer. Car hire offered as an option or included.
This trip is suitable for:
Solo Travellers, Multi-Generational
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Spiritual Journeys
- Wildlife
- Historical Journeys
- Coastal & Island
Inspiration:
- Classic
Grade & Terrain
This trip is graded easy to moderate. The trails follows footpaths, coastal trails, bridleways, open fields and some minor roads. The walks may involve some relatively steep ascent and descents and days of up to 8 miles walking.
Navigation
Most of the route and walks are not way marked so you should be able to read a map and follow route descriptions closely. We supply a guidebook, and route notes with detailed maps so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.
Accommodation Information
Included in your trip are 7 nights in rooms with private facilities, in carefully selected accommodation in 3 star B&B’s, guesthouses and small hotels. We book en suite rooms as standard. If there are no en suite rooms available in an overnight location, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we would always inform you in advance if this was the case.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, we may have to accommodate you at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere we will advise you of this before confirming your booking.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This holiday is available to solo walkers, although a solo walker supplement is payable (due to the fact that you are not splitting the cost of the room with another person). If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generallypossible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single supplement is payable.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will often be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival and paid for locally, alternatively your guidebook also includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack will of course have suggestions.
- 7 Nights in country hotels, inns and B&B’s
- 7 Breakfasts
- Ferry crossings as listed in the itinerary
- Information pack and route notes with maps
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Travel to / from Inverness
- Car hire (we can arrange car rental if required)
- Ferry crossing to the Island of Handa (payable locally)
- Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Car hire (we can arrange car rental if required)
When To Go
Please note that Skye is exceptionally popular throughout the Summer months. As a result it may be necessary to book upgraded accommodations to accommodate your dates. Your specialist will inform you of this prior to confirming your booking and advise of any supplement payable.
We offer this trip between the beginning of April and the beginning of October. In our opinion there is no bad time for walking in Scotland but would especially recommend the spring and autumn.
Getting to the Start
By Air: Inverness Airport is served by flights from throughout Scotland and the UK as well as several European destinations. For international travellers Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports are are the most convenient.
By Train: Inverness is easily accessible by rail from Glasgow (3hr 20mins) or Edinburgh (3hr 30mins) and from connecting destinations throughout the UK. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetables and tickets.
By Coach: Scottish Citylink operates several services daily from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Inverness. Visit www.citylink.co.uk for details.
By Car: Inverness is 170miles (3 hours) north of Glasgow on the A9. Parking (not secure) is available in Inverness. You can leave your car at some accommodation we use in Inverness but please request this at the time of booking.
Journey Planning: If travelling by public transport the website www.travelinescotland.com has an excellent journey planner.
General Information
The distances and ascent/ descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Ferry Timetable Limitations
Please note that if you opt to begin the trip on a Mon, Wed, Fri or Sat the Uig to Tarbert ferry on Day 3 has no morning departures. Depending on the daylight hours available when you are travelling this may affect whether you are able to do the recommended Scalpay Walk on arriving in Harris after the ferry journey.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Inverness and overnight Day 2 Drive to Portree, and optional walking on Skye 5 miles / 8 km Day 3 Walking on Skye, and ferry to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris 6 miles / 10 km Day 4 Drive to the Isle of Lewis and Callanish Standing Stones 2.5 miles / 4 km Day 5 Walking on the Isle of Lewis, and ferry to Ullapool 4 miles / 6.5 km Day 6 Drive to Durness and optional walk on Handa Island 4 miles / 6.5 km Day 7 Drive to Inverness via Lairg or John O’Groats 3.5 miles / 5 km Day 8 Onward TravelBlog Articles
The Macs Adventure Way
-
Tailor-Made Adventures
-
Freedom
-
Book With Confidence
-
Expertise
-
Positive Impact
- Knowledgeable and helpful friendly specialist adventure planners
- Tailor-make your trip to suit your interests
- Start on any date that suits you
- Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
- Range of accommodation options
- Choice of trip styles
- Choose your own travel companions
- Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
- Make your own decisions
- Choose your own path
- Indulge your passions
- 14,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
- Feefo Gold Award 2019
- 25,000+ travellers trust us each year
- As featured in the Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and more
- Founder owned & operated since 2003
- 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
- 100% Financial Protection
- Meticulously planned adventures
- Quality, hand-picked accommodation
- Seamless and reliable arrangements
- Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
- Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
- Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
- Travel responsibly
- Explore off the beaten track
- Support locally owned businesses
- Engage with local communities
- Minimise your impact
- Maximise the benefit of your travel
- Challenge yourself & grow