5 Day Outer Hebrides (Long Island) Tour

Discover the 'Islands on the Edge' with a five (or six) day Outer Hebrides tour from Inverness exploring the stunning landscapes, dramatic coastlines and the breath-taking scenery throughout the full length of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides archipelago (the Long Island) – from the Isle of Lewis in the north to the Isles of Barra and Vatersay in the south.

Day 1 – An early start from Inverness to the coastal village of Ullapool where we board the ferry for a 2½ hour journey across the Minch to the Isle of Lewis and its main town of Stornoway (my native town). From there we spend the afternoon exploring the magnificent Neolithic Calanais Standing Stones, the 2000 year old Dun Carloway Broch and a traditional Hebridean blackhouse. We finish the day at the beautiful Atlantic coastal beach of Dalbeg before our return to Stornoway for our overnight stay.

Day 2 – Departing from Stornoway we head south through the Isle of Harris towards Rodel to explore the historic medieval St Clement’s church before the early afternoon takes us from Leverburgh on a 1 hour ferry journey to the Isle of Berneray. Our tour south includes visits to the Kildonan Musuem and Howmore before we arrive at Lochboisdale on the Isle of South Uist for our overnight stay.

Day 3 – Begins with a short drive through the Isle of Eriskay on our way to catch the ferry across to the Isle of Barra (50 minute sailing). We then spend a lazy four hours enjoying the wonderful scenery of the Isle of Barra and the nearby Isle of Vatersay before returning on the mid-afternoon ferry back to Eriskay and then to Lochboisdale for our overnight stay.

Day 4 – We spend the morning exploring the beautiful scenery of the Isle of Benbecula and the Isle of North Uist including visits to Trinity Temple and Lochmaddy before we take the early afternoon sailing back to the Isle of Harris. Our return north along the Atlantic coastline of Harris includes an afternoon visit to the stunning beach at Luskentyre along with a visit to Tarbert before our arrival in Stornoway for our overnight stop.

Day 5 – We spend our last morning on the Isle of Lewis at the Butt of Lewis (the most northerly point in the Hebrides) for the dramatic views of the cliffs and the Atlantic sea. We return to Stornoway where we explore Museum nan Eilean in Lews Castle and visit their collection of Lewis Chessmen. The early afternoon ferry takes us back to Ullapool and then it is a final drive through wonderful Highland scenery to Inverness.