Outer Hebrides Island Hopping

The ideal trip for experiencing the best of the unique culture, ancient history and incredible landscapes that the Outer Hebrides have to offer. There's something for everyone from beach strolls to wildlife watching opportunities and ample time to explore world-renowned Neolithic sites. Allow our local expertise to guide you on a hassle-free journey of cultural discovery. Experience island hospitality at it's finest, not just at your accommodations, but as you tour Harris' gin distillery and sample Hebridean cuisine; products of the long-standing crofting and fishing way of life in the islands. So why not visit and discover the richness of Gaelic island culture for yourself?

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Self Drive | Take the wheel and explore an area at your own pace taking in places and highlights that our travel experts recommend.

Solo Travellers

Overnight in hand-picked small hotels, B&B's and guesthouses, all of which have been chosen to ensure you experience warm Scottish hospitality at its best! We regularly use the properties listed in the itinerary but may use alternative options if these are unavailable.

Single Rooms

This holiday is available to solo travellers but as all our tours are priced per person based on two sharing there is a single supplement payable to cover the additional costs. If you require single rooms within your party we will, of course, try to accommodate your request subject to availability.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning and normally consists of a continental buffet with tea and coffee, fresh fruits, yoghurt, cereals, eggs and bread with jams. Often also on the menu are cooked options like freshly made porridge, a traditional cooked Scottish breakfast and smoked fish with scrambled eggs.

We don't include lunch and dinner so you are free to choose from the available options. Your information pack includes details and recommendations of convenient lunch stops, cosy cafes and restaurants along the way. The food scene in Scotland has improved significantly over the past few decades, so now you'll find a range of options with everything from award-winning fish and chips to casual restaurant and cafe menus showcasing delicious locally-sourced produce. Seafood in particular is a staple in the Outer Hebrides. 

The Outer Hebrides remain a traditional region of the country meaning that many shops and restaurants can be closed on a Sunday. We recommend buying picnic lunches/snacks and making dinner reservations ahead of time particularly on Sundays to avoid disappointment.

Additional Nights

You can add additional nights wherever you please along the route. If you are travelling from further afield we highly recommend additional nights on arrival in Oban and on departure from Ullapool. 

Your information pack will include a day-by-day itinerary, with recommended driving routes between overnight stops, as well as recommended detours and must-see sights and attractions. You can use Google maps to navigate the route on your phone, but as mobile signal is limited we recommend using your car's sat-nav and/or a road atlas. If you are hiring a car with us we include sat-nav as standard as internet signal on the islands isn't always reliable. 

Recommended Reading

If you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:

• Lonely Planet Scotland
• Philip's Navigator Scotland Atlas (Road Maps of Scotland)

You can start this tour on any day of the week from the beginning of April until mid-October, subject to availability. In March and from mid-October on, start days are limited to accommodate the ferry timetables (no departures on Thursdays and Saturdays during this time). The busiest times of the year are around Easter and May when accommodations fill up quickly, so book as early as possible if you are planning to travel then. If you travel before Easter, and in October it is worth noting that some attractions may either be closed, have limited access, or may open later and close a little earlier in the day. We always recommend checking the links in our information pack for up-to-date opening times.

During the low season - March to early April and October - the Scottish weather tends to be more unpredictable and is often colder and rainier. However, attractions and popular viewpoints will generally be quieter. 

Scotland enjoys a temperate climate, meaning it's relatively mild all year, except in winter when temperatures dip below 0 degrees Celsius and it snows regularly in the Highlands. The islands are renowned for variable weather so you should be prepared for everything; from 'dreich' days (a Scottish word for rainy days that are a bit bleak) to days with beautiful blue skies and warmer weather. Whatever the weather it tends to be breezy so spare layers are always recommended.

From the end of April to October average daily temperatures vary from 7-14 degrees Celsius. Monthly rainfall varies from 11-17 mm per month on averarge. Generally, May, June and August are the driest months, but July to September are the mildest. To see the machair landscape (wildflower-covered dunes) in bloom the best time to travel is from the beginning of May through to June.  

The Outer Hebrides are located off Scotland's northwest coast. Your trip includes ferry crossings from Oban (on the mainland) to Barra the most southern large island in the archipelago. If you have a preferred sailing time for your ferry journeys, please let us know at the time of booking. Once the ferry journeys are confirmed, we can't guarantee new amendments or changes to the sailing times.

By Road: As this is a self-drive tour it's easiest to access Oban by road from Glasgow by driving north on the A82 to Tyndrum then west on the A85 (2 hr 20 mins). Alternatively, from Edinburgh follow the M9 west, to join the A84 and onto the A85 (3 hr). If travelling from Inverness, drive southwest on the A82, A828, and A85 to reach Oban (2 hr 45 mins).

Public Transport: If arriving in Glasgow or Edinburgh by public transport, and renting a car please see the Traveline Scotland website for timetables and fares and more information regarding public transport in Scotland. The cities are well-linked across the UK, Europe, and beyond by flying into either international airports. They are just over an hour apart by road, and it doesn't take much longer to travel between the two by an express bus or train service. Oban has a train station and is well-served by bus links to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Check the Scotrail and Citylink Bus websites for more details.

Car Rental 

We don't include car rental in the cost of our discovery tours to keep things flexible as we realise many people may wish to use their own car. If you opt to book car rental through us, we have a partnership with Europcar and can arrange this easily for you. As standard we book an Economy category car (suitable for up to 4 people) with included comprehensive insurance and sat-nav, prices are on a request basis. Please just let us know when booking if you would like to upgrade your car, and where you would like to collect your hire car as this can be tailored to suit your needs.

The Calmac ferry from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to Ullapool on the mainland (2.5 hrs) is inlcuded in your trip. If you have time we recommend spending some time in the unique mountain landscapes of surrounding Torridon and Sutherland.  

Ullapool is a small town on the north west coast of Scotland, and is just a 1hr 15 min drive from Inverness making this a great add on to your trip. Otherwise, it's a 4 hr 15 min drive south to Glasgow or 4hrs 10 min to Edinburgh. There are plenty of fuel stations along the way, and some good places to split the journey are Inverness, Aviemore, Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Perth.