5-Day Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Experience the timeless traditions and brilliant beauty of the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands on a 5-day tour from Edinburgh and discover the Highlands and Islands' enchanting scenery, fascinating history and people. See historical sites including Callanish Standing Stones, Arnol Blackhouse and Scone Palace. The experience includes your an excellent choice of guesthouse (B&B) or 3-star Hotel accommodation in Ullapool, Stornoway and Inverness.

Itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh - Dunkeld - Loch Ness - Corrieshalloch Gorge - Ullapool

Stop At: Dunkeld Cathedral, 1.5 hours drive north of Edinburgh, Dunkeld Scotland
Your first stop of the day is in the village of Dunkeld. You get time here to stretch your legs and admire the cathedral’s unusual mixture of architectural styles.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Grampian Mountains, Scotland
You then venture through the shadows of the great and gorgeous Grampian Mountains and stop for lunch at a Highland town in the Spey Valley. Perhaps it’s time for you to try haggis.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ullapool Scotland
Corrieshalloch Gorge is a lesser-known Scottish sight, but it’s one that you’ll love. It’s a short walk under forest canopies with a lovely view of a waterfall.
Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: In the early evening, you arrive in the scenic fishing port of Ullapool for your overnight stay.

Day 2: Ullapool - Stornoway - Isle of Lewis and Harris

Stop At: Stornoway Harbour, Cromwell Street Amity House, Esplanade Quay HS1 2XS, Stornoway Scotland
First on the agenda today is a ferry journey across the sea.

This two and a half-hour boat trip takes you through the Summer Isles to Stornoway, the main town of the Western Isles. But don’t spend your time snoozing and reading as you sail across the ocean; because if you look out to sea, you may spot dolphins and whales.

Once you’ve arrived on Lewis and Harris, you head to the North West coast. Your driver-guide will make the most of what weather you’ve been blessed with and take you through traditional crofting towns and seaside ports.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Stornoway.


Day 3: Stornoway - Luskentyre Beach - Callanish Standing Stones

Stop At: Callanish Standing Stones, Scotland
This mysterious monument is even older than Stonehenge. This prehistoric sight still mystifies archeologists today.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Luskentyre Beach Harris Scotland
Walk along this phenomenal beach and feel like you’re in the Scottish Maldives.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Stornoway.


Day 4: Stornoway - Arnol Blackhouse - ferry to mainland

Stop At: The Blackhouse, Arnol, 42 Arnol, Arnol HS2 9DB Scotland
Today, you travel through a landscape littered with crofting villages to Arnol Blackhouse. Here, you can experience what traditional farming life was like in these remote reaches without getting your hands too dirty.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Inverness

Day 5: Inverness - Tominoul - Royal Deeside - Cairngorms National Park - Edinburgh

Stop At: Tomintoul, Tomintoul, Moray, Scotland
This morning we leave Inverness and head for Tominoul, the highest village in the Highlands. Sitting on north side of the Cairngorm National Park, with its central square and 18th century buildings, Tomintoul is a fine example of a planned village.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Ballater AB35 5TB Scotland
Next we head into Royal Deeside, the great valley of the River Dee that runs all the way from the sweeping mountains to the Aberdeenshire coast. We pay a visit to the Royal Lochnagar Whisky Distillery, where you can witness the craftsmanship of the distillers who make one of Scotland’s finest 12 year old single malts.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Braemar Gathering, Braemar AB35 5UH Scotland
Following our distillery visit it’s time to relax over a leisurely lunch in the charming village of Braemar in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. This beautiful and remote village feels like the Highlands of a bygone era. Set amongst majestic mountains, peat coloured rivers and cool dark forests, it’s easy to see why the British Royal Family have made this area their favourite summer retreat.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Scone Palace, Perth PH2 6BD Scotland
From here the route south passes over Scotland’s highest mountain pass, through Highland Perthshire before stopping at Scone Palace, the home of Scotland’s legendary Coronation Stone, better known as the Stone of Destiny.
Duration: 40 minutes

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.