3 Day Hebridean Discovery Tour depart Inverness
A fantastic 3 day coach tour that runs alternate Fridays from May to September. This short tour of the idyllic islands of Harris and Lewis is the perfect balance of discovery, travel and hospitality. Travelling as a small group to the Hebrides you’ll experience a magical blend of island life, history and breathtaking scenery.
- 2 nights in Stornoway on Lewis
- Opportunity to see Callanish Stones
Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ferry to the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway, Butt of Lewis, Callanish Standing Stones, Dun Carloway Broch, Harris Tweed demonstration, Beach combing on Harris and Ullapool.
Day One - Inverness to the Outer Hebrides
We start our tour by crossing the impressive Kessock Bridge and enjoying the grandstand views over the Moray Firth. After crossing the Black Isle we shall make our way through the rugged landscape of the western Highlands.
We’ll make a stop to visit Corrieshalloch Gorge and see the dramatic Falls of Measach dropping some 150 feet into the ravine below.
The fishing port of Ullapool sits on Loch Broom and is where we board our ferry for the crossing of The Minch to reach Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis. The sailing will take 2 hours 45 minutes and our cruise-ferry boasts extensive lounge and dining facilities.
On arrival in Stornoway it is a short drive to our accommodation for the next two nights.
Overnight: Stornoway
Day Two - Exploring Lewis and Harris
Together Harris and Lewis make Scotland’s largest island. These islands have been inhabited for over 6,000 years and there is a real sense of history as we will discover as we spend today discovering Lewis.
Our first visit of the day is to the fascinating Arnol Blackhouse Museum *. A traditional blackhouse was a combination of home, barn and stackyard and this example will give you real insight into how life was lived on these islands in times gone by. The weaving of Tweed cloth has, traditionally, been an important home-based industry for islanders so when we visit a local weaver, on our next visit, there will be an opportunity to see the fabric being hand woven in the time-honoured fashion – a truly fascinating process.
The astonishing Callanish Standing Stones is our next visit. Archaeologists believe that these 15 foot (5 m) stones were placed here by Neolithic people sometime between 3,000 and 1,000 BC and the site is rated second in importance only to Stonehenge. A short distance away is the impressive Dun Carloway Broch, an Iron Age stone fort known to have been built more than 2,000 years ago. This is one of the best preserved fortified towers in Scotland and it’s beautifully located with wonderful views over Loch Carloway and the sea beyond.
Luskentyre Beach which appears never-ending is our next stop of the day so you can enjoy some beach combing. Look out for the machairs which sit behind the beach. These green grassy plains are covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer.
The Atlantic coast leads us to the small community of Rodel and our last visit of the day to 16thCentury St Clements Church. There’s time to stroll around the pretty harbour before we return to our accommodation in Stornoway.
Overnight Stornoway
Day Three - Stornoway - Butt of Lewis - Inverness
After breakfast we will make our way to the Butt of Lewis where a lighthouse stands warning passing ships of the nearby rocks. This is the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides. Due west from here is nothing but the North Atlantic until you reach Newfoundland, Canada!
We return to Stornoway for some free time so can explore this bustling port. Sadly our island interlude has come to an end and we catch the ferry back to the mainland and make our way to journey’s end in Inverness.
* Admission fees extra
Inclusions
• 2 nights accommodation in twin rooms with private bath/shower
• Full Scottish breakfast (days 2 & 3).
• Live commentary in English.
• Excursions as detailed in itinerary
• Transportation by air-conditioned minicoach
• Services of a tour host
• Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
• Admission charges unless otherwise stated in the itinerary
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your driver/guide
The Little Details
- Minimum Age: Age 3+
- Min Age: 3 years
- Tour Vehicle Type: Mini Coach
- Months of Operation: May, June, July, August, September
- Duration of Tour: 3 Days
- Departure Point: Inverness
- Departure Point: Visitor Information Centre Bus Stop, Bridge Street, Inverness, IV2 3BJ
- Departure Time: Check In: 09:15 Departs: 09:30
- Expected return Time: 19:00 hrs (day 3)
- Duration of Tour: 3 Days
Rates & Dates
B&B
Single Room: £380.00
Sharing a Twin Room: £355.00
Guesthouse
Single Room: £400.00
Sharing a Twin Room: £375.00
Hotel
Single Room: £450.00
Sharing a Twin Room: £425.00
All prices are per person
Dates: Fridays
13 & 27 May, 2016
10, 24th June, 2016
08 & 22 July, 2016
5th & 19 August 2016
2nd & 16th September, 2016
Booking Notes
Full tour operator information including local contact telephone numbers and departure details will appear on your tour voucher/confirmation.
Some Places We Will Visit
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Ullapool
The attractive little fishing port of Ullapool, on the shores of Loch Broom, is the largest settlement in Wester Ross.
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Stornoway
The travel guide on Stornoway in Outer Hebrides here guides you with information on and around the place. The guide also include details about getting to Stornoway, sights, sleeping and eating, transportation and essential information needed on a visit to Stornoway.
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Callanish Standing Stones
The visitor guide to the amazing ring of standing stones at Callanish on Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
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Golspie
Small town once home to the Dukes of Sutherland and home to one of the world's more laughably dishonest monuments. On the road north along the stunning NE coast.
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Lewis West Coast
The guide to West Coast in Outer Hebrides contains information in and around the place including eating and sleeping in Lewis West Coast.
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North Harris
North Harris comforts well beyond Tarbert adjoining Lewis, and proudly contains Clisham, the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at 799 metres.
Castle Visited
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Dunrobin Castle
Scottish baronial castle that thinks it is a chateau on the Loire. One of a kind in Scotland and the ancestral home to the Dukes of Sutherland and family.
Ancient Sites We Visit or Pass
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Doune Broch / Dun Calloway
Dun Carloway is one of the best-preserved Iron Age Brochs in the whole of Scotland dating back to something like 1st century AD. It is near Callanish and should be visited.
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