sign in sign up
<<
Home , Barra, Butt of Lewis, Callanish, Eriskay, Outer Hebrides, Small Isles

OUTER ISLAND HOPSCOTCH

SELF DRIVE WALKING HOLIDAY

EXPLORE THE - SELF DRIVE AND WALKING HOLIDAY A relaxed self guided walking and driving holiday through spectacular scenery of , the , SUMMARY Harris and Lewis. Enjoy the mixture of the varied landscapes on the Western Isles of .

On this self guided walking and driving holiday explore the 130 mile chain of Islands that stretch along the North Western Coast of Scotland and enjoy the almost tangible qualities of remoteness and beauty. Follow the route by car and with daily walks through a mosaic of differing landscapes.

The trip comprises 6 full days and 7 nights travelling from rugged compact Barra in the far South through to the exposed ’’ jutting out into the North Atlantic. There is no set itinerary, you may choose where and when you walk, but we provide you with suggested options for each day. This trip is suitable for those with use of a car as there is little public transport and many of the walks are remote.

You will pass through changing scenery as you move through the islands and each day allows you to enjoy the indigenous flora and fauna perfectly adapted to this wild and beautiful region of Scotland. Glorious white sand beaches border the dramatic hills and moorlands providing the ultimate in solitude and tranquillity for the discerning walker. This natural splendour is in perfect harmony with the ancient historical wonders that adorn the islands, affording opportunities to explore the awe inspiring heritage that abounds

The trip includes your ferry crossings from on the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Barra, your Tour: Outer Hebrides Hopscotch as per itinerary through the Islands to Lewis and also back to on the mainland. Each night you will Code: WSSOH be accommodated in guest house accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Car hire is not included Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday but if you wish we can book as an additional option Price: see website Single Supplement: see website Dates: March—October Days: 6 HIGHLIGHTS Nights: 7

IS IT FOR ME?  The stunning white sand beaches of Barra This holiday allows you to travel though out  The ‘sea of land and land of lochs’ that is the Western Isles staying in the comfortable accommodation on offer. Each day you  Peace and tranquillity in this less travelled area of Scotland choose your own walks and undertake them  The almost Lunar landscape of rugged Harris your own pace. This allows you to enjoy the  The timeless of Lewis wildlife and spectacular landscapes that make this area so special. WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? WHAT’S INCLUDED? Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We have Ferry crossings: From Oban to Barra on- hand picked the best possible accommodation in order to make sure that you experience the best the ward to Uist, Harris and Lewis to Ullapool. Islands have to offer. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last Accommodation: 3 star Guesthouses. detail is taken care of. Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. and dinner not included but always available at accommodation or nearby.

Information Pack: Guide Book as well as a detailed pre-departure information pack. OUTER HEBRIDES ISLAND HOPSCOTCH

SELF DRIVE WALKING HOLIDAY

Description: Explore the wilds of the Western surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches is a Walking on Isles at your own pace. We will suggest our site to behold. Indeed Barra recently came first favourite relaxed walks to make sure you get the place in a ‘Most Beautiful Island’ competition. Once again you may explore the area as you best out of your trip. Following your first night in your hand picked wish though we suggest the following walk: Walking Days: 6 accommodation you will be ready to enjoy the Isle of Nights: 7 delights of this most attractive little Island. Evidently not on South Uist proper it would be a Average Daily Distance: Your choice: approx Overnight: Barra shame to miss this beautiful walk as you will 3-5 miles per day but longer walks are available. have a chance to savour stunning views of the Grade: Moderate DAY 2 Island from the slopes of Ben Scrien and Ben Walking on Barra . Further it was on Eriskay that the famous cargo of 20,000 cases of Whisky were liberated Day Route While you are free to explore at your leisure we from the sunken ‘Politician’ in 1914 and suggest the following walk: immortalized in ’s ‘Whisky 1 Depart Oban by Ferry for Galore’. On a natural note you may be lucky to Barra - Overnight Barra Isle of spot a white tailed sea eagle and enjoy a vista of Up to At only 3 miles in both length and width, the 2 Walk on Barra - Overnight 5 Skye and the . This 3 mile walk is a island is a mix of moorland squeezed Barra miles great way to enjoy the region. per together in the middle by glorious beaches. Even 3 Depart Barra by Ferry for day with ease of access by causeway the quiet and Overnight: South Uist South Uist - Overnight peaceful nature prevails. South Bay is a delight DAY 4 South Uist and the views across the Sound of are superb. 4 Walk on South and North Walking on Uist - Overnight North Uist Overnight: Barra Driving North from South Uist you cross the causeway that takes you through the flat Depart North Uist by Ferry DAY 3 moors of the Island of and out along a 5 for Harris - Overight Har- ris Travel to South Uist further causeway to your next stopping point, North Uist. While the east of the Island is Walk on Harris/Lewis - Following breakfast in Barra you are ready to indented with rocky bays the east is blessed with 6 Overnight Lewis travel Northward to the next Island in the chain, glorious beaches. We suggest the following walk: South Uist. From the ferry port of Ard Mhor a 40 Walk on Lewis - Overnight minute journey takes you to the port of Eriskay Balranard RSPB Nature Reserve 7 Lewis actually a small island itself now connected to This area designated to preserve the natural South Uist. You will make your way to your Depart Lewis by Ferry for environment is also an area given over to accommodation for 1 night and if time allows you 8 Ullapool and onward Trav- traditional methods. The walk affords are well placed to take in a lovely walk on your el perfect opportunities to encounter wildlife from arrival day. Alternatively you can relax in your dramatic birds of prey to the inquisitive seals that accommodation until the following morning when breed on nearby islands. DAY 1 the many options to explore both South and Ferry from Oban to Barra North Uist and the interlinked islands of Eriskay Overnight: North Uist and Benbecula are open to you. This region is a You will arrive in Barra via the Calmac ferry at land of moors and lochs overlooked by peaks the port of . You will make your way to jutting from a mountainous spine. The beaches your accommodation for 2 nights. At only 8 miles of the west are strands of silver sand washed by long by 4 miles wide the rugged beauty of the crystal clear water and rolling surf. interior with the 383 metre peak of OUTER HEBRIDES ISLAND HOPSCOTCH

SELF DRIVE WALKING HOLIDAY

DAY 5 of the Western Isles is absolutely full of world Meals famous archaeological sites sited in a landscape Travel to Harris of wild moorland and magnificent coastal A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are After your second night on the Uists you will headlands and beaches. With so many walks to free to choose from the available options. Many travel by ferry to the Isle of Harris via the take in we suggest the following options: of your accommodations will more than happy to to crossing. Following the 1 Stones provide a packed lunch on request and this can hour ferry journey you may now travel to your be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at next nights accommodation or if time allows take Perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of the your accommodation or nearby pubs. in a walk. incredible array of archaeological sites that abound are the and associated Navigation Walking on Harris stone circles. A 2.5 mile walk in the area allows The walks on the Outer Hebrides are NOT way The landscape is one of mountains with rugged to travel back in time to a Neolithic age and is marked and some degree of navigational skill is terrain. In fact the name comes from the old highly recommended. required. We provide a guidebook and general Norse ‘Na Hearadh’ meaning ‘high land’. On the Butt of Lewis map however should you wish to back this up west coast are some of the most wonderful then we would recommend purchasing OS beaches in the which stretch out in The most northerly point of Lewis, this 4 mile Landranger maps 31, 22,18, 14,13 and 8. harmonious tranquillity with the flora filled walk allows you experience the dramatic machair of the interior. With it’s wild ‘un-tamed’ seascapes and coastal geology as if you were on Grade north, rocky bay littered east coast of ancient the edge of the World. At the Butt, a 19th geology and wide sandy strands the options Century lighthouse provides a focus point from This route is graded moderate as it passes seem endless. We suggest the following walk: which to admire the views and to listen to the through some remote country and is not way cacophony of the seabirds marked. Though a guidebook is provided, Hushinis & Crabhadail Beaches navigation skills may be helpful. Overnight: Lewis on both nights On the far west of Harris this exhilarating 4.5 mile Equipment walk provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy DAY 8 lovely views of the small island of Scarp, once Your information pack has a detailed equipment home to 200 people but uninhabited since the Ferry from to Ullapool list which includes standard walking gear such as early 1970s. On this final day you will take the ferry from good walking boots or shoes, warm and Stornoway on Lewis to Ullapool on the Scottish waterproof clothes and a day pack. The Eagle Observatory Mainland. Following the 2.5 hour ferry crossing Dogs the trip is complete and you may make your own This 3 mile walk offers a good chance to see way from here on. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate upland birds including the golden and sea eagle. walkers with dogs as many of the More than 20 pairs of golden eagles make their accommodation providers do not accept pets. home in the mountains of North Uist, and this TRIP INFORMATION walk to the hide is one of the very best places to spot them. Accommodation TRAVEL INFORMATION Overnight: Harris We specifically choose the guesthouses to Getting to and from Outer Hebrides ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. DAYS 6 & 7 They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, Your trip includes ferry crossings from Oban on Walking on Lewis traditional hospitality and delicious local food. the mainland to Barra, crossings to South Uist, Harris and from Stornoway in Lewis to Ullapool Following your one nights stay on Harris you will Single Rooms on the Scottish mainland. Times may be seen on move north into Lewis where you will be the Calmac ferry website, accommodated for two nights. Lewis, the largest Single occupancy rooms may be booked though this will incur an additional charge. OUTER HEBRIDES ISLAND HOPSCOTCH

SELF DRIVE WALKING HOLIDAY

Getting around the Islands Availability BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE We strongly recommend bringing a vehicle to This walking holiday is best enjoyed between allow full access to the various walks. March and October. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans. Financial Security Travel Insurance Included In accordance with "The Package Travel, We strongly recommend taking out travel Package Holidays and Package Tours insurance to cover cancellation or curtailment of  7 nights of hand picked accommodation Regulations 1992" all passengers booking with your holiday.  A detailed info pack, guidebook and map for Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the the group leader. initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all M.A.C.S RESPONSIBLE TOURISM  Emergency telephone support from our office monies paid to us, including repatriation if in the event of a problem. required (this insurance will not cover repatriation Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit  Ferry crossings as per itinerary - (1 Car per to the country of origin for the passengers booking) outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or Our operating policies, office policies, holidays and tours are all designed to minimise impact Excluded curtailment of your travel arrangements due to and maximise benefit to the environment and the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd local communities.  Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.  Travel Insurance. ABTA Member Statement Action & Advocacy  Personal Equipment. Macs Adventure Holidays We believe that by engaging our team and is a Member of ABTA.  Luggage transfers. clients in environmental and community projects ABTA and ABTA we can make a real difference. Options members help Carbon & Communities holidaymakers to get the most from their travel  Car hire— We can arrange if required. and assist when things don’t go according to Travel and our business activity does of course  Single supplement. plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard contribute to carbon output and climate change. We have put several policies in place to minimise  Accommodation upgrades. of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. our carbon footprint. HOW TO BOOK Sensitive & Sustainable Macs Adventure has worked hard to ensure that Once you have read all the information in this our holidays are sensitive to the community you factsheet or on our website and decided on your preferred itinerary, you can then book securely are visiting and sustainable over the long term. online at www.macsadventure.com, by phone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 or +1-844-253-8589 (USA More about M.A.C.S. Responsible Travel & ). Policy...

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

Price

Detailed up to date prices for all our trips are available on our website www.macsadventure.com