Day 1 – Transfer down to Isle of Skye with pm walk

Following our arrival on Skye we take a drive to the ruined church of Strath Suardal to begin our hike. Today our circular walk takes us through the cleared villages of both Boreraig and Suisnish, cleared of people in the mid 19th century by landowners to make way for more profitable sheep farming.

The story of the Clearances, whilst perhaps economically inevitable, there are many who hold scant regard for the manner in which it was done. There are few places on Skye which bear such evident testimony to the ruthlessness that underpinned the Highland Clearances as these two ruined communities. The outstanding coastal scenery, overlooking Loch Eishort and Loch Slapin makes the moving and poignant walk all the more enjoyable and it is hard not be be able to envisage these villages as they once were, with thriving communities making a living off the land, growing barley and potatoes and fishing the local waters.

Our walk hugs the coastline and passes some fine waterfalls and emerges near the hamlet of Kilbride where our transport awaits us.

Meals. Full board including breakfast lunch and dinner

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilites

Day 2 - Loch Coruisk

Our second day on Skye takes us to one of the most isolated and breathtaking places on the island. Loch Coruisk has fascinated visitors for centuries and enjoys a magical and mysterious reputation. Here the powers of creation have fashioned a scene of wild and rugged grandeur and it’s beauty lies in the total absence of restraint.

We will take the Bella Jane charter boat out to the Loch, stopping en route to view the seal colony and other sealife, before reaching Loch Coruisk.

The scene is one of small islands and sandy bays ringed all around by the heather clad mountains of the Cuillin mountains which spill their streams into suspended corries, over crags and down into the Loch.

We will make an unforgettable exploration around Loch Coruisk, truly one of the most outstanding locations on Skye that anyone could wish to visit.

Meals. Full board including breakfast lunch and dinner

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilities

Day 3 – Isle of Raasay

A short ferry ride takes us to the island of Raasay where we explore the beautiful area around Inverarish village, including fine woodland, coastal trails and a secluded beach.

Above the landing point near to Raasay House stand two stone mermaids, built by the Clan Chief, Raasay of Macleod. Our trail snakes up affording us fantastic views across to the mainland and the Torridon Mountains.

Raasay was home to Sorley Maclean one of Scotland’s most famous literary renaissance poets and the name ‘Raasay’ means roe deer. The island is full of wonderful wildlife including very rare white –tailed sea eagles and golden eagles; stoats, weasels, voles and many deer , as well as an abundance of wild mountain flowers which bloom from May through the summer months.

The island is very much unchanged over time and it is still common to hear Gaellic spoken by the locals, with nearly 40% speaking it as their first language.

Raasay is an island very much untouched by the hand of time and our hike here gives us a unique insight into rural island life.

Meals. Full board including breakfast lunch and dinner

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilites

Day 4- Travel to the Isle of Harris

Following a hearty breakfast we take a short coastal walk and then catch the ferry from Skye to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, (90 minutes). On arrival on Harris we have an opportunity to visit the stunning beaches of Sheileboist and Luskintyre before making our way to our hotel set beautifully against the coastal backdrop.

Meals. Full board including breakfast lunch and dinner

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilites

Day 5- Glens and beaches of North Harris

To many North Harris is truly the most spectacular and stunning area of the whole Outer Hebrides. The island is crammed packed full of memorable white sand beaches and coves, which we will explore at our leisure, including the glorious Huisinis beach. The geology here is unique giving the island a rugged beauty that is unique to Harris. We will hike into the deep glens as well as making our way to view the massive cliffs of Sron Uladal, a sight few travellers ever get a chance to see.

After a wondrous 5 to 6 hours in the thrall of the island we return to our coastal haven for a well earned hearty Highland dinner.

Meals. Breakfast and lunch. Dinner guests dine out themselves

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilites

Day 6 – Circuit of Scalpay

The tiny island of Scalpay is home to some 300 people and lies a short distance away from Harris. We undertake a fantastic circuit of the island which is peppered with lochans, the largest of which Loch an Duin (Isle of the fort),still has the remains of an old fort in it. We make our way across the Isle to Rubh an Eorna, a tiny peninsula on the eastern shore which is home to the first ever Lighthouse built in the Outer Hebrides, Eilean Glas.

Scalpay is also home to many great Gaelic singers and psalm presenters and is well known for it’s use of Gaidhlig.

Completing our circumnavigation and exploring the coastline takes us a good 5 hours and following this we return to Harris for the evening and more Highland hospitality.

Meals. Full board including breakfast lunch and dinner

Transport. All transport provided

Accommodation. Private rooms with en suite facilites

Day 7 – Callanish Standing Stones and return to Inverness

Our final day takes us to our fifth and final Island of our week, the Isle of Lewis, where we visit the 5000 year old Callanish Standing Stones, which date back to 3000BC. An emotional place for many, the Stones are set high up on a moor against a backdrop of mountains and sea. It is a fitting place in which to end our Hebridean Island Odessey.

From the Stones we make our way via Stornoway and the ferry to Ulapool, back to Inverness. Our journey complete we say farewell to the Islands and to each other and take home treasured memories of our time in the Hebridean Islands of Scotland.

Meals. Breakfast and lunch provided

Transport. All transport including ferry back to Inverness

Accommodation. Tour finishes @ 5pm in Inverness.

The trip price includes the following services:

• Six nights accommodation in our hand picked hotels
• All meals bar, one evening meal through the week
• All alcoholic and soft drinks, at meal times, throughout the week (except the one free evening guests have)
• All transport during the tour from the meeting point until point of departure which will be in a minivan or small bus, driven by our own team members.
• All private boat and ferry transfers
• The services of one or more experienced and knowledgeable guide(s)

Exclusions:

• Transport to and from the meeting/departure point
• Travel insurance and personal equipment
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Incidental personal expenditure eg. alcoholic drinks outwith meal times, laundry, gifts etc
• Any other items not listed above

Pick-up in Inverness, Scotland

These walks are essentially straightforward hiking, following generally good trails, with no major ascents or descents. They are conducted at a leisurely pace to allow guests the time to take everything in

The underfoot terrain will usually be on good paths or hill trails although some open moorland walking and beach walking will be involved. Scotland is a temperate country which has four distinct seasons, often all in the same day ! so trails can become wet underfoot, so good quality waterproof hiking boots are essential, along with waterproof hiking clothing.

Walks will be mainly glen and coastal hikes, with some low level hills up to 1,500 feet/ 450m ascent likely on the islands to gain some of the superb viewpoints. Hiking up to 6 miles or 10km per day will be normal.