|
Highlights
Islay, Jura and Colonsay are beautiful islands off the west coast of Scotland that offer a unique and unforgettable experience for walkers. Known for their stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife and (in the case of Islay and Jura) world-renowned whiskies, these islands are a must-visit destination for travellers seeking to immerse themselves in Scotland's natural beauty and history. Basing ourselves in comfortable guest house accommodation on Islay, this holiday provides a unique opportunity to explore all three islands. Islay - also known as the "Queen of the Hebrides" - is the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides. This fertile island is home to a thriving crofting community and has a proud Gaelic culture. Our walks will take you to wild headlands, beautiful beaches, ancient standing stones and small hills with jaw-dropping views. The island is also rich in birds and is home to several RSPB reserves. Islay is famous for its peaty, smoky single malt whiskies, which are exported all over the world. Jura, Islay's northerly neighbour, is a sparsely populated island with a wild and untamed landscape. The Paps of Jura are dramatic and rugged mountains which tower over the island. We will be exploring some gentler walks on the island's east coast, where we will enjoy sensational views and a chance to spot red deer and golden eagles. Little Colonsay is one of our favourite Hebridean islands and feels surprisingly remote. We will be wandering through its fascinatingly intricate landscape, visiting some of Scotland's most beautiful beaches and enjoying the abundant wildflowers and birdlife the island has to offer. |
2025 Dates:
Sat 7th - Fri 13th June Full Sat 26th July - Fri 1st August 3 places left How long: 6 nights, 5 days walking Grade: Moderate (see our Grading Information page for more details on how we grade our tours) Start: Glasgow Price: £1,995 Single supplement £160. ***£50 discount for returning clients!*** |
Tour Details
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
Included meals are shown as follows: B - breakfast; D - dinner
DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO ISLAY (D)
We will meet at the taxi rank / pick up & drop off area outside Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow at 1pm then drive to the Kintyre peninsula before catching the evening ferry to Islay.
DAY 2 - THE MULL OF OA (B, D)
We will start the tour by heading to Islay's renowned Mull of Oa peninsula, where we will hike to the exposed headland and the American Monument. This imposing memorial is dedicated to two ships that sank in 1918, with the loss of hundreds of American service men and the British crews who were taking them back home. From here we will hike around part of this impressive coastline, dropping down to a wonderfully secluded bay, and admiring some very impressive coastal scenery along the way. If it's a clear day you will be able to glimpse Ireland's Antrim coast in the distance.
In the afternoon we will explore a much gentler, but still very beautiful stretch of coastline close to the village of Port Ellen.
Total: 6 miles/10 km and 500ft/200m of ascent.
DAY 3 - JURA (B.D)
Time for a day trip to the Isle of Jura. After taking a very short ferry crossing across the Sound of Jura we will drive through some spectacularly wild terrain to the island's east coast where we will enjoy an excellent hike around a sheltered bay. The walk offers a great chance to spot seals and other wildlife (maybe even otters if we are lucky) and leads to a rugged little headland with fabulous out over the Sound of Jura to Knapdale, with the jagged peaks of Arran easily visible on a clear day.
Depending on the time, we may include some additional short hikes before catching the ferry back to Islay.
7 miles/11km and 650ft/200m of ascent.
DAY 4 - THE RHINNS OF ISLAY (B, D)
Time for a trip to the beautiful and windswept west coast of Islay. The Rhinns of Islay are exposed to the full force of the Atlantic gales in winter and the constant pounding of the waves has produced some spectacular cliffs and coastline. In amongst the cliffs are long sandy beaches backed by extensive dune systems and fertile machair meadows.
Whisky is integral to Islay's economy, and everywhere you go on the island you bump into world famous distilleries with tongue-twisting names. By the end of the holiday you will be pronouncing Bruachladdich, Laphroig, Bunnahabhainn and Caol Ila like a local! You can't come to Islay without finding out a little about Uisge Beatha (the Water of Life, as whisky is poetically called in Gaelic), so in the afternoon we will take a short tour of Kilchoman - the only whisky distillery in Scotland where all the ingredients are locally grown. It's a fascinating and beautiful place...and you will get a chance to sample the amber nectar if you wish!
At the end of the day we will take a stroll onto Machir Bay, yet another of Islay's many gorgeous beaches, before heading back to our B&Bs.
6 miles/10 km and 650ft/200m of ascent
DAY 5 - COLONSAY (B, D)
In the morning we will explore some gorgeous woodland walks in central Islay before visiting Finlaggan, the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles. Generations of island chiefs ruled the whole of the Hebrides from the 12th Century until the islands were finally brought under the control of the Scottish crown in 1493. The ruins of Finlaggan are in a beautiful spot on a remote freshwater loch and there is an excellent little information centre nearby.
Next we will head to Port Askaig where we will catch the lunchtime ferry to Colonsay before spending the afternoon exploring as much of this exquisite island as time allows. It's a wonderfully varied island - expect fabulous beaches, wild clifftops, rugged little hills, fertile machair meadows rich with wildflowers and - surprisingly for such a windswept islands - some rich woodlands around Colonsay House.
We will catch the evening ferry back to Islay, dining on board the boat, before heading back to our B&Bs.
7 miles/11 km and 700ft/215m of ascent
DAY 5 - LOCH GRUINART & ARDNAVE POINT (B, D)
We will start our final day of the trip with a visit to the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart. This is, naturally enough, a wonderful place for birdwatching, and as we walk the reserve trail there should be a good chance of hearing the distinctive rasping call of the corncrake, as well as spotting hen harriers hunting low over the reedbeds.
After this we will go for a longer hike around Ardnave Point, the headland on the west side of Loch Gruinart. This is a superb coastal walk on magnificent sandy beaches, with ever-changing views as we make our way around the headland. Ardnave is a hotspot for choughs, the extremely rare red-legged and red-billed crows that only breed in a couple of places in Britain.
Up to 6 miles/10km and 200ft/60m ascent.
DAY 7 - DEPART (B)
In the morning we will take the ferry back to the mainland. We should arrive back in Glasgow between 3pm & 3.30pm.
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
Included meals are shown as follows: B - breakfast; D - dinner
DAY 1 - TRAVEL TO ISLAY (D)
We will meet at the taxi rank / pick up & drop off area outside Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow at 1pm then drive to the Kintyre peninsula before catching the evening ferry to Islay.
DAY 2 - THE MULL OF OA (B, D)
We will start the tour by heading to Islay's renowned Mull of Oa peninsula, where we will hike to the exposed headland and the American Monument. This imposing memorial is dedicated to two ships that sank in 1918, with the loss of hundreds of American service men and the British crews who were taking them back home. From here we will hike around part of this impressive coastline, dropping down to a wonderfully secluded bay, and admiring some very impressive coastal scenery along the way. If it's a clear day you will be able to glimpse Ireland's Antrim coast in the distance.
In the afternoon we will explore a much gentler, but still very beautiful stretch of coastline close to the village of Port Ellen.
Total: 6 miles/10 km and 500ft/200m of ascent.
DAY 3 - JURA (B.D)
Time for a day trip to the Isle of Jura. After taking a very short ferry crossing across the Sound of Jura we will drive through some spectacularly wild terrain to the island's east coast where we will enjoy an excellent hike around a sheltered bay. The walk offers a great chance to spot seals and other wildlife (maybe even otters if we are lucky) and leads to a rugged little headland with fabulous out over the Sound of Jura to Knapdale, with the jagged peaks of Arran easily visible on a clear day.
Depending on the time, we may include some additional short hikes before catching the ferry back to Islay.
7 miles/11km and 650ft/200m of ascent.
DAY 4 - THE RHINNS OF ISLAY (B, D)
Time for a trip to the beautiful and windswept west coast of Islay. The Rhinns of Islay are exposed to the full force of the Atlantic gales in winter and the constant pounding of the waves has produced some spectacular cliffs and coastline. In amongst the cliffs are long sandy beaches backed by extensive dune systems and fertile machair meadows.
Whisky is integral to Islay's economy, and everywhere you go on the island you bump into world famous distilleries with tongue-twisting names. By the end of the holiday you will be pronouncing Bruachladdich, Laphroig, Bunnahabhainn and Caol Ila like a local! You can't come to Islay without finding out a little about Uisge Beatha (the Water of Life, as whisky is poetically called in Gaelic), so in the afternoon we will take a short tour of Kilchoman - the only whisky distillery in Scotland where all the ingredients are locally grown. It's a fascinating and beautiful place...and you will get a chance to sample the amber nectar if you wish!
At the end of the day we will take a stroll onto Machir Bay, yet another of Islay's many gorgeous beaches, before heading back to our B&Bs.
6 miles/10 km and 650ft/200m of ascent
DAY 5 - COLONSAY (B, D)
In the morning we will explore some gorgeous woodland walks in central Islay before visiting Finlaggan, the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles. Generations of island chiefs ruled the whole of the Hebrides from the 12th Century until the islands were finally brought under the control of the Scottish crown in 1493. The ruins of Finlaggan are in a beautiful spot on a remote freshwater loch and there is an excellent little information centre nearby.
Next we will head to Port Askaig where we will catch the lunchtime ferry to Colonsay before spending the afternoon exploring as much of this exquisite island as time allows. It's a wonderfully varied island - expect fabulous beaches, wild clifftops, rugged little hills, fertile machair meadows rich with wildflowers and - surprisingly for such a windswept islands - some rich woodlands around Colonsay House.
We will catch the evening ferry back to Islay, dining on board the boat, before heading back to our B&Bs.
7 miles/11 km and 700ft/215m of ascent
DAY 5 - LOCH GRUINART & ARDNAVE POINT (B, D)
We will start our final day of the trip with a visit to the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart. This is, naturally enough, a wonderful place for birdwatching, and as we walk the reserve trail there should be a good chance of hearing the distinctive rasping call of the corncrake, as well as spotting hen harriers hunting low over the reedbeds.
After this we will go for a longer hike around Ardnave Point, the headland on the west side of Loch Gruinart. This is a superb coastal walk on magnificent sandy beaches, with ever-changing views as we make our way around the headland. Ardnave is a hotspot for choughs, the extremely rare red-legged and red-billed crows that only breed in a couple of places in Britain.
Up to 6 miles/10km and 200ft/60m ascent.
DAY 7 - DEPART (B)
In the morning we will take the ferry back to the mainland. We should arrive back in Glasgow between 3pm & 3.30pm.
The holiday starts and ends in Glasgow. Your guide will meet you at the entrance of Glasgow Queen Street railway station at 1pm.
Glasgow is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
Glasgow is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
What's Included: 6 nights accommodation, 5 days walking. Accommodation at local quality guest houses*, with full Scottish or continental breakfasts; packed lunches; evening meals at local restaurants.
All transport during the holiday, including collection and drop off in Inverness and all ferry crossings. The services of an experienced walk leader.
Transport is provided by our comfortable, modern minibus.
What's Not Included: Food & drinks at any cafes we may visit. Entrance to any visitor attractions. Alcoholic drinks. Restaurant tips. Travel insurance.
*We will be staying in carefully selected guest houses. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. Single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of £160.
We may have to split the party up between several guest houses. However, we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
All transport during the holiday, including collection and drop off in Inverness and all ferry crossings. The services of an experienced walk leader.
Transport is provided by our comfortable, modern minibus.
What's Not Included: Food & drinks at any cafes we may visit. Entrance to any visitor attractions. Alcoholic drinks. Restaurant tips. Travel insurance.
*We will be staying in carefully selected guest houses. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. Single occupancy rooms are available at an additional cost of £160.
We may have to split the party up between several guest houses. However, we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
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 hours and 6 - 8 miles or so each day, occasionally longer, 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.
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 hours and 6 - 8 miles or so each day, occasionally longer, 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.
This holiday is new for 2024 so there are no reviews yet. We will publish them here as they come in.