The Western Isle and Orkney : The Ultimate Islands Tour
Multi-Day Tour

Day 1
We head north by way of Lochs Lomond, Long and Awe to Oban, the gateway to the Western Isles.

Day 2
Over to the first of our Hebridean destinations, Barra, with Kisimul Castle on its wee island in the middle of Castlebay. We can also make a short excursion to Vatersay, now connected to its larger neighbour by a causeway.

Day 3
North now to South Uist, possibly (depending on tides) visiting Eriskay, the scene of Compton Mackenzie's classic story 'Whisky Galore'.

Day 4
Through Benbecula, North Uist and the wonderful small island of Berneray before crossing to Harris.

Day 5
After visiting the 14th cent.Rodel Church we continue on to Stornoway, the 'capital'' of the the Hebrides. Our route to Stornoway is either by way of the majestic beaches of the west coast or the much more rugged east.

Day 6
A tour of Lewis, taking in Dun Carloway Broch, the standing stones at Calanais and the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point of the Hebrides.

Day 7
Back to the mainland at Ullapool before turning north up the magnificent north west coast. Canisp, Suilven, Ben Mors Assynt, Quinag - wonderful mountains with equally intriguing names delight us as we continue on to Tongue.

Day 8
By way of Strathnaver, scene of the most infamous evections of the Clearances and now on to Orkney on the ferry from Scrabster.

Day 9
A full day to explore this wonderful island with its remarkable archaeological remains, too many to name them all...Skara Brae, Maes Howe, Tomb of the Eagles, Ring of Brodgar etc .... Then the 'not so old' St.Magnus Cathedral and Italian Chapel....and not to mention the bird life!

Day 10
We continue our discorvery of Orkney and possibly indulge in some shopping.

Day 11
Back to 'Scotland', as the Orkadians refer to the mainland. We travel down the east coast by way of Dornoch and Inverness to Grantown-on-Spey in the beautiful valley of the River Spey.

Day 12
Continuing south by Blair Atholl, Pitlochry and Perth to our start point twelve days earlier.