Wilderness Walking View Trip Dates The Outer Hebrides and Skye Book Now Trip Grade: Green 2 The Outer Hebrides & Skye Join us on this adventure to some of the wildest bounds of Scotland - the inspiring islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis. Stand atop rugged peaks looking down upon perfect white sand beaches skirting the coast and across to the many smaller isles which dot the horizon. Your knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating insights into the rich tapestry of island life, history and geology. They can also help you spot wildlife, which may include golden eagles, white tailed sea eagles, basking sharks, whales and dolphins, as well helping you identify the rich flora of the islands found in the famous coastal ‘machairs’ or flower meadows. With charming accommodation and delicious food, this special trip provides a memorable insight into these wild and beautiful islands. Highlights • Visit one of the most spectacular regions of Europe, indulging in the wild scenery and rich history of the Hebrides • Experience the rich ornithology of Lewis, spy red deer and golden eagles on Harris, and seek out otters on Skye • Enjoy exceptional Highland hospitality at our carefully selected guest houses, set in magnificent coastal locations Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 2 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Planned Itinerary Day 1 | Travel to Skye, Afternoon Walk in Glen Sligachan Day 2 | Quirang & the Old Man of Storr Day 3 | Travel to the Isle of Harris Day 4 | Glens & Beaches of North Harris Day 5 | The Machair of Harris & the Golden Road Day 6 | Circuit of Scalpay Day 7 | Callanish Standing Stones; & Return to Inverness Arrival Info • Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area • 10:30am on Day 1 of your trip Departure Info • You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 6:00pm on the final day of your trip PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | Travel to Skye, Afternoon Walk in Glen Sligachan Meeting in Inverness, we travel past Loch Ness and the stunning Eilean Donan Castle in Kintail before arriving on the Isle of Skye. We spend our first afternoon enjoying a wonderful walk in Glen Sligachan beneath the mighty peaks of the Black Cuillin and the Red Cuillin, which flank either side of the glen. Returning to our vehicle we transfer to our accommodation overlooking Uig Bay. (L, D) Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | approx. 3 hrs Day 2 | Quirang & the Old Man of Storr After enjoying breakfast with views out across the sea, we set out to explore the stark and unusual landscapes of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr on foot. We will also visit Kilt Rock and the charming village of Staffin on this relaxing day. (B, L, D) Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | approx. 4 hrs Day 3 | Travel to the Isle of Harris After breakfast, we enjoy a short coastal walk before taking the afternoon ferry from Skye to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, looking out for seabirds and dolphins on the 90 minute crossing. Arriving on Harris, we visit the wonderful beaches of Luskentyre and Seileboist before heading to our accommodation in time to freshen up before dinner. (B, L, D) Walk details: 6km/ 4 miles | approx. 3 hrs Day 4 | Glens & Beaches of North Harris North Harris is one of the most spectacular areas of the Outer Hebrides. We will spend the day exploring the glens and beaches, perhaps visiting the white sands of Huisinis or hiking into the glens to see the massive cliffs of Sron Uladal. A wonderful day whichever route we choose! (B, L, D) Walk details: 12km/ 7 miles | approx. 5 hrs Day 5 | The Machair of Harris & the Golden Road Today we walk on the ‘machair’ of Harris, the Gaelic name for the coastal hinterland which in summer is a carpet of wild flowers. We climb Toe Head (365m), high above beach of Traigh Scarasta, from where St. Kilda can be sometimes be seen jutting out of the Atlantic horizon. We then complete a circuit of southern Harris as we drive back north via the ’Golden Road’, stopping at 15th century Rodel Church and other places along the way. (B, L, D) Walk details: 6 km/ 4 miles | approx. 3 hrs Day 6 | Circuit of Scalpay This tiny island is located off the east coast of Harris and is now connected to Harris by a bridge, which opened in 1997, with the first person to cross being 103-year old Mrs Kirsty Morrison. We’ll enjoy a circumnavigation of the island, exploring its wonderful coastline and visiting the remote lighthouse at Rubh an Eorna. (B, L, D) Walk details: 10 km/ 6 miles | approx. 5 hrs Day 7 | Callanish Standing Stones; & Return to Inverness After breakfast, we journey north to Lewis, where we visit the 5000 year old Callanish Standing Stones, which date back to 3000BC. Set high on a moor with a backdrop of sea and mountains, this is a moving experience for many and a wonderful place to end this island odyssey. Leaving the stones behind, we continue to Stornoway where we take the ferry back to the mainland and transfer back to Inverness. (B, L) Trip Grading | Green2 | Green graded walking holidays are suitable for for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary. The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join. If our guides feel that you are not able to complete a scheduled hike they may ask you not to join in that day. If you have any questions about the grading, then please do give our Adventure Consultants a call to chat through your experience and suitability for this trip. It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described hikes in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first. Accommodation and Meals This itinerary is based in two different locations throughout the course of the week, with 2 nights on Skye and 4 nights on Harris. Each of the accommodations offer double and twin rooms, most with en-suite facilities. Throughout the journey, varied island produce will be served up in hearty and imaginative meals. Seafood is a speciality with beef, lamb and venison also popular and of course, any special dietary requirements can be catered for. On this trip we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations. Single Rooms For solo travellers: Accommodation is based on sharing a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. A limited number of rooms for single occupancy are available on a first come first served basis, subject to a single supplement. Please enquire for availability. Single supplements vary across our itineraries so please refer to the ‘What’s Included - Accommodation’ tab on the trip page on our website for this trip or contact our sales team. Inclusions This trip includes the following: • 6 nights accommodation in carefully selected guest houses and hotels • All meals during the trip as stated in itinerary (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness • All private boat and ferry transfers Our holidays reviewed in your words… I am so happy that I found Wilderness Scotland. You can easily feel that they are always doing their “ best and they can truly be trusted. I am looking forward to travelling with them again. Johanna Hrefna Holmsteinsdottir ” All Trip Reviews Here Your Guide During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you. For more info and to meet the team please see our Guide Pages. Sustainable Travel Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive. We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).