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Highlights
As you are probably aware, tourism in Scotland is only just restarting after the restrictions imposed to combat Covid-19. We have given a lot of thought to how we can safely provide tours that are both enjoyable and, crucially, as safe as possible for our clients. These Harris & Lewis holidays are the only trips we will be offering for the rest of the season - and they will be very special. We will only take 2 or 3 people per tour and we need everyone in the group to be either family or friends from the same household or from two households which have formed an 'extended household' or 'social bubble'. You will, in effect, be getting a personalised tour of all our favourite corners of our home islands. We know Harris and Lewis like the back of our hands and consequently you will have a unique opportunity to discover the real Outer Hebrides. We will take you on our favourite walks along stunning sandy beaches, wild and lonely clifftops and through dramatic island mountain passes. But we will also do our best to introduce you to real island life. On these tours you will find out so much about life in the Hebrides - what it's like to live in this north-west corner of Europe, the wonderful Gaelic and crofting culture of the islands, the advantages and drawbacks of being cut off from the mainland...and lots more! Lewis and Harris, whilst regarded as distinct islands, are connected by road and this gives us easy access to both islands from our base near Stornoway, the bustling little capital of the Outer Hebrides. Over the course of the week we will sample some of the best walks on both islands. As well as enjoying the amazing views we will be keeping an eye open for our abundant wildlife. Golden and sea eagles are common, as are many other bird species. Red deer can sometimes be seen (and, from mid-September onwards, heard roaring in the glens) on the inland hikes and whales, dolphins and porpoises are commonly spotted on our coastal walks. As with all our walking holidays, the emphasis is on relaxed walking with lots of time to admire the views, take photographs and watch wildlife. We generally cover around 7 - 10 miles most days, occasionally a little more. We will be going at a gentle pace and, whilst there is usually some ascent each day, the amount of climbing involved is generally small. If you prefer shorter or easier walks just let us know - there is a wealth of good walking on the two islands and, as these are customised tours, we will be happier to arrange easier routes if you prefer. |
Available 2020 Dates:
Sat 22nd - Fri 28th August Sat 29th August - Fri 4th September Sat 5th - Fri 11th September Sat 12th - Fri 18th September Sat 19th - Fri 25th September Sat 26th September - Fri 2nd October Sat 3rd - Fri 9th October Sat 10th - Fri 16th October How long: 6 nights, 5 days walking Grade: Moderate, but can be easier if wished (see our Grading Information page for more details on how we grade our tours) Start / Finish: Stornoway Price: £1,295 Single supplement: £120 |
Tour Details
(Note that this is our standard Harris & Lewis itinerary. However, as you will be in a small group we can customise the tour however you wish. If you prefer to do alternative walks or other activities - e.g. cycling, wildlife watching boat trips, horse riding, visiting a whisky distillery or just general touring - on certain days just let us know and we will do our best to rearrange the schedule for you).
DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN STORNOWAY
We will collect you in Inverness and drive you to Ullapool in time for the evening ferry to Stornoway. Evening meal will depend on whether the ferry is offering a caferia service (cafes on ferries are currently offering a very limited service). If this is not possible we will stop for fish and chips in Ullapool before catching the ferry. On arrival in Stornoway we will transfer you to your accommodation.
DAY 2 - TOLSTA
Packing an astonishing amount into a small area, this walk takes us to remote moorland lochs, then along an airy cliff top walk, complete with sea stacks and rock arches, before visiting two of Lewis’s finest beaches.
DAY 3 - CALLANISH, CARLOWAY & NESS
In the morning we will visit Lewis's two spectacular archaeological sites - the famous Callanish Stones and Carloway Broch, a magnificent 2,000 year old iron age fort. In the afternoon we travel to the northern tip of the Hebrides, to the township of Ness and the dramatic Butt of Lewis lighthouse. We will visit the old fishing harbour at Port of Ness and walk along the tops of the sea cliffs on this wild section of coastline. This is great area for whale and dolphin watching in late summer and autumn.
DAY 4 - REINIGEADAL
In 1990 the tiny village of Reinigeadal on the east side of Harris was the last settlement in Britain to be connected to the public road network. Before this it was only accessible on foot or by boat. This fabulous circular hike takes you along the dramatic Postman's Path which threads its way over a steep hill pass and through dramatic scenery. The route got its name as this was the way the Harris postman had to deliver the mail several times a week - and the way Reinigeadal children had to walk to school in Tarbert! As well as being a stunningly beautiful walk, it also offers a great opportunity to spot eagles and dolphins.
DAY 5 - UIG
We will spend today walking on the beautiful west coast of Lewis, home to the famous Lewis Chessmen and more sensational beaches! Considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the island, the remote Uig area is a wonderful combination of tiny crofting villages, rocky headlands, lonely off-shore islands and amazing beaches.
DAY 6 - HUISINISH & CRAVADALE
A spectacular end to your holiday, this memorable and varied low level hike is one of the best in Scotland. Starting at the beautiful machair meadows of Huisinish, we will visit the huge golden sands of Traigh Mheillin which provides unparalleled views out to the nearby island of Scarp. From here we will explore the remote and beautiful Glen Cravadale, with a good chance of spotting golden or sea eagles along the way.
DAY 7 - DEPART
We will take you to the ferry terminal for your sailing back to Ullapool. We will provide you with tickets for the connecting bus service which will get you back to Inverness shortly after 6pm.
(Note that this is our standard Harris & Lewis itinerary. However, as you will be in a small group we can customise the tour however you wish. If you prefer to do alternative walks or other activities - e.g. cycling, wildlife watching boat trips, horse riding, visiting a whisky distillery or just general touring - on certain days just let us know and we will do our best to rearrange the schedule for you).
DAY 1 - ARRIVE IN STORNOWAY
We will collect you in Inverness and drive you to Ullapool in time for the evening ferry to Stornoway. Evening meal will depend on whether the ferry is offering a caferia service (cafes on ferries are currently offering a very limited service). If this is not possible we will stop for fish and chips in Ullapool before catching the ferry. On arrival in Stornoway we will transfer you to your accommodation.
DAY 2 - TOLSTA
Packing an astonishing amount into a small area, this walk takes us to remote moorland lochs, then along an airy cliff top walk, complete with sea stacks and rock arches, before visiting two of Lewis’s finest beaches.
DAY 3 - CALLANISH, CARLOWAY & NESS
In the morning we will visit Lewis's two spectacular archaeological sites - the famous Callanish Stones and Carloway Broch, a magnificent 2,000 year old iron age fort. In the afternoon we travel to the northern tip of the Hebrides, to the township of Ness and the dramatic Butt of Lewis lighthouse. We will visit the old fishing harbour at Port of Ness and walk along the tops of the sea cliffs on this wild section of coastline. This is great area for whale and dolphin watching in late summer and autumn.
DAY 4 - REINIGEADAL
In 1990 the tiny village of Reinigeadal on the east side of Harris was the last settlement in Britain to be connected to the public road network. Before this it was only accessible on foot or by boat. This fabulous circular hike takes you along the dramatic Postman's Path which threads its way over a steep hill pass and through dramatic scenery. The route got its name as this was the way the Harris postman had to deliver the mail several times a week - and the way Reinigeadal children had to walk to school in Tarbert! As well as being a stunningly beautiful walk, it also offers a great opportunity to spot eagles and dolphins.
DAY 5 - UIG
We will spend today walking on the beautiful west coast of Lewis, home to the famous Lewis Chessmen and more sensational beaches! Considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the island, the remote Uig area is a wonderful combination of tiny crofting villages, rocky headlands, lonely off-shore islands and amazing beaches.
DAY 6 - HUISINISH & CRAVADALE
A spectacular end to your holiday, this memorable and varied low level hike is one of the best in Scotland. Starting at the beautiful machair meadows of Huisinish, we will visit the huge golden sands of Traigh Mheillin which provides unparalleled views out to the nearby island of Scarp. From here we will explore the remote and beautiful Glen Cravadale, with a good chance of spotting golden or sea eagles along the way.
DAY 7 - DEPART
We will take you to the ferry terminal for your sailing back to Ullapool. We will provide you with tickets for the connecting bus service which will get you back to Inverness shortly after 6pm.
The holiday starts and ends in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. We will meet you at Stornoway airport or ferry terminal and take you to your accommodation.
***Please note that, whilst the cost of travelling to and from Stornoway is not included in the price of the holiday, we are very happy to help you with your travel arrangements. We can book any train, bus and ferry tickets that you might need. Package Travel regulations mean that we are not allowed to buy your flight tickets, but we can advise on the most suitable flights for you***
You can easily travel to Stornoway by plane or ferry.
If travelling by plane, there are direct flights to Stornoway from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness with www.loganair.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can fly to Inverness then catch the bus to Ullapool. Flights to Inverness are available from many UK airports. As airlines are just starting to re-open routes it is hard to say which routes are operating at the moment. We suggest that you use the following website to check what flights are available from airports near you (if you are finding it difficult to find suitable flights let us know and we will do our best to help):
www.skyscanner.net
Buses to Ullapool depart from Inverness bus station and must be booked in advance through www.citylink.co.uk. It is essential that you don't just turn up at the bus station expecting to buy your ticket - if you do this you may well find that they are sold out.
Trains are a good way to reach Inverness. The following websites are easy to use and allow you to book train tickets.
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. The cheapest tickets usually go on sale 6 weeks before the day of travel - Trainline has a useful email alert which can let you know when the cheap tickets are released.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
From Inverness to Ullapool takes about 1hr 15 minutes.
If you wish to drive to Inverness there is secure long-stay car parking in Inverness at the Rose Street car park. See the following link for details: www.highland.gov.uk/info/20006/parking_and_car_parks/83/rose_street_multi-storey_car_park_inverness
Alternatively there is free long stay car parking in Ullapool behind the Tesco supermarket in the centre of the village.
***Please note that, whilst the cost of travelling to and from Stornoway is not included in the price of the holiday, we are very happy to help you with your travel arrangements. We can book any train, bus and ferry tickets that you might need. Package Travel regulations mean that we are not allowed to buy your flight tickets, but we can advise on the most suitable flights for you***
You can easily travel to Stornoway by plane or ferry.
If travelling by plane, there are direct flights to Stornoway from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness with www.loganair.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can fly to Inverness then catch the bus to Ullapool. Flights to Inverness are available from many UK airports. As airlines are just starting to re-open routes it is hard to say which routes are operating at the moment. We suggest that you use the following website to check what flights are available from airports near you (if you are finding it difficult to find suitable flights let us know and we will do our best to help):
www.skyscanner.net
Buses to Ullapool depart from Inverness bus station and must be booked in advance through www.citylink.co.uk. It is essential that you don't just turn up at the bus station expecting to buy your ticket - if you do this you may well find that they are sold out.
Trains are a good way to reach Inverness. The following websites are easy to use and allow you to book train tickets.
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. The cheapest tickets usually go on sale 6 weeks before the day of travel - Trainline has a useful email alert which can let you know when the cheap tickets are released.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
From Inverness to Ullapool takes about 1hr 15 minutes.
If you wish to drive to Inverness there is secure long-stay car parking in Inverness at the Rose Street car park. See the following link for details: www.highland.gov.uk/info/20006/parking_and_car_parks/83/rose_street_multi-storey_car_park_inverness
Alternatively there is free long stay car parking in Ullapool behind the Tesco supermarket in the centre of the village.
What's Included: 6 nights accommodation, 5 days walking. Pick up from Inverness by minibus and transfer to Stornoway. Return bus ticket from Ullapool to Inverness (buses connect with all ferries). Return ferry tickets. Accommodation is provided in good quality island guest houses*. Alternatively we are happy to arrange hotel or self-catering accommodation for you (this may incur a surcharge). Full Scottish or continental breakfasts, packed lunches (note that lunch on the final day is not included). The services of an experienced walking guide. All transport during the week.
What's Not Included: Travel to and from Inverness. Evening meals - these can be purchased either at your B&B or local restaurants (we will book restaurants for you, if required). Food purchased during visits to cafes. Entrance to any visitor attractions. Travel insurance.
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses in or near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, the bustling little capital of the Outer Hebrides. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. Single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of £120 per person.
What's Not Included: Travel to and from Inverness. Evening meals - these can be purchased either at your B&B or local restaurants (we will book restaurants for you, if required). Food purchased during visits to cafes. Entrance to any visitor attractions. Travel insurance.
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses in or near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, the bustling little capital of the Outer Hebrides. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. Single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of £120 per person.
Note: this information applies to our regular Harris and Lewis holidays. If you prefer easier or shorter routes just let us know and we will customise the itinerary to take account of your wishes.
Moderate.
These holidays go at a gentle pace, with plenty of time to stop, take pictures, soak up the atmosphere and watch the wildlife. However, they are still walking holidays, so you will need to be able to cope with a reasonable amount of hiking each day. As a guide, you should be able to manage some uphill sections, be comfortable walking for 5 - 6 hours and 7 - 10 miles or so each day, and be confident walking away from paths - for example over rough, grassy hillsides.
We try to keep to easy ground as much as possible on these walks, but there will be some areas where the going can be a little rough and quite wet underfoot, so good hiking boots are essential. We don't tackle any hills on these walks but there are usually some modest uphill sections each day.
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
Moderate.
These holidays go at a gentle pace, with plenty of time to stop, take pictures, soak up the atmosphere and watch the wildlife. However, they are still walking holidays, so you will need to be able to cope with a reasonable amount of hiking each day. As a guide, you should be able to manage some uphill sections, be comfortable walking for 5 - 6 hours and 7 - 10 miles or so each day, and be confident walking away from paths - for example over rough, grassy hillsides.
We try to keep to easy ground as much as possible on these walks, but there will be some areas where the going can be a little rough and quite wet underfoot, so good hiking boots are essential. We don't tackle any hills on these walks but there are usually some modest uphill sections each day.
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
Who are these holidays for? These are small, customised tours for families or two groups of friends. We can take 2 or 3 people per tour - everyone on the tour must must live in the same household or be part of a two household 'extended household' or 'social bubble'.
Can you take single people? Yes, but only if you can bring a friend with you, from the same household or from another household with whom you have formed an 'extended household' or 'social bubble'.
When are you running these tours? We will be running these holidays weekly from 12th August until the middle of October. Availability will be shown at the top of this page and is offered on a first come, first saved basis.
How do we get to Stornoway? Please see the Getting Here tab. We are very happy to help you with your travel arrangements to and from the islands.
Where will we be staying? You will be staying in a comfortable B&B in or near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. If you prefer, we can arrange self-catering accommodation for you, though this may incur a surcharge if the operators charge us more than a B&B.
Are evening meals included? Evening meals are not supplied on this tour. Meals may be available at your B&B or, if this is not possible, at local restaurants. If you are eating in restaurants we will make any reservations you require. If staying at self-catering accommodation you can eat there - we can help you with your shopping!
Are packed lunches included? Yes, we will provide packed lunches for each day you are walking with us. Please let us know if there is anything that you particularly like or dislike for your lunches!
What time do we start and end each day? Normal pick up time is 9am and drop off back at your accommodation between 5pm and 6pm.
What should I take with me? A recommended equipment list can be found here.
Who will be guiding my tour? Your tour will be guided by Mick Blunt & Alayne Barton, the owners of Hidden Hebrides. Find out more about us here.
Can I amend your standard itinerary? Yes! This is your private tour so we can amend the itinerary to include anything you wish. Cycling, horse riding on sandy beaches, coasteering, surfing, visits to a whisky distillery, spending a day touring instead of walking, wildlife watching boat trips - these are just some of the many activities that can be included in your holiday. Just let us know what you would like to do and we will try and arrange things for you. (Note there may be additional costs for added activities).
What safety precautions are you taking? In short, a lot! The safety of our clients, our fellow islanders and ourselves is of paramount importance to us. We will be following all the latest advice and guidance from the Scottish Government and our operating procedures and protocols will be designed to ensure the maximum safety for everyone involved in our tours.
Specific measures that we will be taking include the following:
Can you take single people? Yes, but only if you can bring a friend with you, from the same household or from another household with whom you have formed an 'extended household' or 'social bubble'.
When are you running these tours? We will be running these holidays weekly from 12th August until the middle of October. Availability will be shown at the top of this page and is offered on a first come, first saved basis.
How do we get to Stornoway? Please see the Getting Here tab. We are very happy to help you with your travel arrangements to and from the islands.
Where will we be staying? You will be staying in a comfortable B&B in or near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. If you prefer, we can arrange self-catering accommodation for you, though this may incur a surcharge if the operators charge us more than a B&B.
Are evening meals included? Evening meals are not supplied on this tour. Meals may be available at your B&B or, if this is not possible, at local restaurants. If you are eating in restaurants we will make any reservations you require. If staying at self-catering accommodation you can eat there - we can help you with your shopping!
Are packed lunches included? Yes, we will provide packed lunches for each day you are walking with us. Please let us know if there is anything that you particularly like or dislike for your lunches!
What time do we start and end each day? Normal pick up time is 9am and drop off back at your accommodation between 5pm and 6pm.
What should I take with me? A recommended equipment list can be found here.
Who will be guiding my tour? Your tour will be guided by Mick Blunt & Alayne Barton, the owners of Hidden Hebrides. Find out more about us here.
Can I amend your standard itinerary? Yes! This is your private tour so we can amend the itinerary to include anything you wish. Cycling, horse riding on sandy beaches, coasteering, surfing, visits to a whisky distillery, spending a day touring instead of walking, wildlife watching boat trips - these are just some of the many activities that can be included in your holiday. Just let us know what you would like to do and we will try and arrange things for you. (Note there may be additional costs for added activities).
What safety precautions are you taking? In short, a lot! The safety of our clients, our fellow islanders and ourselves is of paramount importance to us. We will be following all the latest advice and guidance from the Scottish Government and our operating procedures and protocols will be designed to ensure the maximum safety for everyone involved in our tours.
Specific measures that we will be taking include the following:
- Our minibus will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the arrival of each group.
- Clients will be asked to sit on the back seats of the minibus, thereby keeping a 2m separation from the driver.
- All minibus surfaces will be cleaned with disinfectant wipes at the end of each day.
- Everyone will be required to wear a face mask whilst travelling in the minibus. Please note that face masks are now compulsory in shops and on all public transport in Scotland.
- All clients will be provided with alcohol gel hand sanitiser at the start of the trip. We expect everyone to follow rigorous hygiene measures with frequent hand washing and sanitising throughout the trip.
- Paper tissues will be provided in the minibus and a sealed container provided for their disposal.