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Holiday Highlights
The Isle of Harris is a wonderful location for a short break holiday. Here at the north west edge of Europe the pace of life is relaxed and the scenery is some of the finest in Britain. The island contains glorious golden beaches, spectacular mountains, tremendous wildlife...as well as some truly memorable hikes. This holiday allows you to sample some of Harris's many delights whilst staying in wonderful luxury in the most spectacular accommodation in the Outer Hebrides. Experience life as a Highland laird amid the beautiful furnishings and fabulous food at Amhuinnsuidhe and you will see why many guests come back to the Castle year after year... |
Dates: This self guided holiday can run from April to October.
How long: 5 days / 4 nights (though shorter or longer trips can easily be arranged). Base: Amhuinnsuidhe Castle on the Isle of Harris. Price: From £949 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin or double room. Includes bed, breakfast and three course evening meals, plus packed lunch and afternoon tea. Additional days: Please contact us for a quote. |
Below we have added a suggested itinerary for this holiday. This would make for a fantastic 5 day tour of Harris. However, as part of your self guided package you will also receive comprehensive information on other walks on the island, plus ideas for alternative outdoors activities and things to do if you fancy a day off from walking, or if the weather isn't great. Treat the itinerary as a starting point, and amend it as you wish!
Day 1. Travel to Harris and drive to Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (see FAQs section for advice on travelling to and from the Outer Hebrides).
Day 2. Coastal walk from Huisinis to Cravadale. Surely one of the finest walks in Britain, this is a spectacular start to your holiday and packs a tremendous amount into a relatively short hike. Unbeatable views over the turquoise Hebridean seas to the islands of Scarp and the mountains of Uig in west Lewis; three spectacular beaches, two only accessible on foot so almost always deserted; remote glens, spectacular mountain scenery and evocative traces of long abandoned settlements.
Day 3. The Reinigeadail circuit. A tremendous hike on good paths and tracks exploring the rocky east side of Harris. Includes a visit to Reinigeadal which, in 1990, became the last village in Britain to be connected to the public road network.
Day 4. A tour of South Harris. Walk on Harris's world famous golden beaches at Luskentyre and Scarista, admiring the stunning views to the nearby island of Taransay. Climb the small hill of Toe Head for a sensational panorama of Harris and its southern neighbours, Berneray and North Uist. Call in at the exquisite medieval chapel at Rodel, then drive the Golden Road as it winds its way along the bays and villages of the island's rocky east coast.
Day 5. Depart.
Day 1. Travel to Harris and drive to Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (see FAQs section for advice on travelling to and from the Outer Hebrides).
Day 2. Coastal walk from Huisinis to Cravadale. Surely one of the finest walks in Britain, this is a spectacular start to your holiday and packs a tremendous amount into a relatively short hike. Unbeatable views over the turquoise Hebridean seas to the islands of Scarp and the mountains of Uig in west Lewis; three spectacular beaches, two only accessible on foot so almost always deserted; remote glens, spectacular mountain scenery and evocative traces of long abandoned settlements.
Day 3. The Reinigeadail circuit. A tremendous hike on good paths and tracks exploring the rocky east side of Harris. Includes a visit to Reinigeadal which, in 1990, became the last village in Britain to be connected to the public road network.
Day 4. A tour of South Harris. Walk on Harris's world famous golden beaches at Luskentyre and Scarista, admiring the stunning views to the nearby island of Taransay. Climb the small hill of Toe Head for a sensational panorama of Harris and its southern neighbours, Berneray and North Uist. Call in at the exquisite medieval chapel at Rodel, then drive the Golden Road as it winds its way along the bays and villages of the island's rocky east coast.
Day 5. Depart.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle is the finest accommodation in the Outer Hebrides. Built as a Victorian shooting lodge today it provides high quality accommodation and dining in a sensational setting. With its sumptuous furnishings and delicious meals a stay at the Castle offer a taste of real luxury at surprisingly affordable prices.
All meals are included with this holiday - breakfasts, packed lunches, afternoon teas (if desired) and 3 course evening meals.
All meals are included with this holiday - breakfasts, packed lunches, afternoon teas (if desired) and 3 course evening meals.
The walks described in the itinerary are graded between easy and moderate. The walks from Huisinis and Cravadale and up Toe Head involve some steep sections and rough ground but neither are more than about 5 miles in length. The Reinigeadal walk is longer - about 11 miles - but on good paths, tracks or single track road for the whole way.
Keep in mind that the itinerary is just an example: if you would like easier or more challenging routes just let us know and we can arrange a bespoke itinerary just for you.
Keep in mind that the itinerary is just an example: if you would like easier or more challenging routes just let us know and we can arrange a bespoke itinerary just for you.
What's Included: Price includes accommodation in one of the Castle's individually designed bedrooms, full Scottish breakfast, picnic lunch, afternoon tea and four course dinner. Maps. Guide book. Detailed route information, along with recommendations for a variety of walks, places to visit and things to do.
What's Not Included: Transport to and from Harris. This can be arranged for you and will be charged at cost price. (We prefer to let people choose their own way to get to the islands, to maximise people's choice of how to travel. However, whether you prefer to bring your own car, to catch the bus or take a flight, we can help arrange your travel for you). Travel insurance.
What's Not Included: Transport to and from Harris. This can be arranged for you and will be charged at cost price. (We prefer to let people choose their own way to get to the islands, to maximise people's choice of how to travel. However, whether you prefer to bring your own car, to catch the bus or take a flight, we can help arrange your travel for you). Travel insurance.
How do I get to Harris? There are various options for getting to Harris. There are no airports on the island but Harris is connected to the neighbouring island of Lewis by road and there is an airport at Stornoway, approximately 1 hours drive from the Castle.
There are direct daily flights to Stornoway from Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness with www.flybe.com. You can then hire a car at the airport and drive to the Castle.
If bringing your own car you can drive to Uig at the north end of Skye and take the ferry to Tarbert, the main village in Harris. This is about 20 minutes drive from the Castle. Alternatively, you can drive to Inverness and across to the small port of Ullapool, from where you can catch a ferry to Stornoway.
It is also possible to catch a bus from Glasgow all the way to Uig which connects with the Tarbert ferry.
More information about the various travel options are available at the following websites:
Flights: www.flybe.com
Buses: www.citylink.co.uk
Ferries: www.calmac.co.uk
Note: however you choose to travel to the islands, we can help. We can book flights, bus and ferry tickets and arrange car hire for you.
Do I need a car? A car is not essential for this holiday but it is useful. Public transport in the Highlands and Islands is limited - access to a car will greatly increase your flexibility and allow you to get the most out of your holiday.
What equipment do I need? Your equipment needs to be capable of coping with the very variable weather we get on the Outer Hebrides. It is quite possible to get driving rain, fog, then glorious sunshine all on the same day. It is also possible to get sunburnt in March and to have snow showers in May, so be prepared! We strongly recommend walking boots rather than shoes as the terrain on the islands tends to be rough, wet and uneven. Walking poles are optional but can be useful. A list of suggested equipment can be found by clicking here.
When is the best time to visit? April to early July are the best times for this holiday, as the Castle is often booked out later in the summer with deer stalking and salmon fishing groups.
Are the midges bad on the Outer Hebrides? No! Midges are the tiny biting flies that can make a visit to Highland Scotland memorable for all the wrong reasons. However, the good news is that the Outer Hebrides is one of the least midgey places in Scotland - being on the edge of the Atlantic we almost always get some wind and this is usually enough to stop them flying.
On the occasional day in July and August they can be annoying - but if this happens just choose a walk along a coastline where there will almost always be enough breeze to keep them at bay.
There are direct daily flights to Stornoway from Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness with www.flybe.com. You can then hire a car at the airport and drive to the Castle.
If bringing your own car you can drive to Uig at the north end of Skye and take the ferry to Tarbert, the main village in Harris. This is about 20 minutes drive from the Castle. Alternatively, you can drive to Inverness and across to the small port of Ullapool, from where you can catch a ferry to Stornoway.
It is also possible to catch a bus from Glasgow all the way to Uig which connects with the Tarbert ferry.
More information about the various travel options are available at the following websites:
Flights: www.flybe.com
Buses: www.citylink.co.uk
Ferries: www.calmac.co.uk
Note: however you choose to travel to the islands, we can help. We can book flights, bus and ferry tickets and arrange car hire for you.
Do I need a car? A car is not essential for this holiday but it is useful. Public transport in the Highlands and Islands is limited - access to a car will greatly increase your flexibility and allow you to get the most out of your holiday.
What equipment do I need? Your equipment needs to be capable of coping with the very variable weather we get on the Outer Hebrides. It is quite possible to get driving rain, fog, then glorious sunshine all on the same day. It is also possible to get sunburnt in March and to have snow showers in May, so be prepared! We strongly recommend walking boots rather than shoes as the terrain on the islands tends to be rough, wet and uneven. Walking poles are optional but can be useful. A list of suggested equipment can be found by clicking here.
When is the best time to visit? April to early July are the best times for this holiday, as the Castle is often booked out later in the summer with deer stalking and salmon fishing groups.
Are the midges bad on the Outer Hebrides? No! Midges are the tiny biting flies that can make a visit to Highland Scotland memorable for all the wrong reasons. However, the good news is that the Outer Hebrides is one of the least midgey places in Scotland - being on the edge of the Atlantic we almost always get some wind and this is usually enough to stop them flying.
On the occasional day in July and August they can be annoying - but if this happens just choose a walk along a coastline where there will almost always be enough breeze to keep them at bay.