14D/13N - 2020 Island Hopping Adventure small group tour

14D/13N - 2020 Island Hopping Adventure small group tour

    Island Hopping Adventure                  small group tour

    Combined tour: Iona, Mull & the Isle of Skye + Orkney & Scotland’s Northern Coast - Outer Hebrides & Skye Adventure

    Explore the extremes of North West Europe’s last great wilderness - 14 days to enjoy 7 fantastic west coast islands and the prehistoric beauty and history of the Northern Orkney Islands, coupled with an escape to the Western Isles of Lewis and breathtaking Harris.

    14days/13nights, Edinburgh/Edinburgh

    2020 depart Mon:  6 Apr-19 Oct (except (15 Jun)  Sat: 4 Apr-26 Sep (except 13 Jun)

    Cost from:             B&B from: $3645 pp twin share (s/sup $530)

                                    Hotel from: $4265pp twin share (s/sup $1080)

    ** Please enquire about our many other tours in the United Kingdom

day 01 mon Edinburgh-Inveraray-Dalriada-Oban

Today, the tour takes you north passed Stirling Castle, and then west to Scotland’s first National Park around Loch Lomond, and the “bonnie banks”. You will travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands to the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the area close to the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada before arriving in bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2 night stay.

day 02 tue Oban-Mull-Staffa-Oban

In the early morning, you will take the ferry to Mull and enjoy an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquillity of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the church yard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal’s Cave”. You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.

day 03 wed Oban-Appin-Glenfinnan-Arisaig-Portree

In the morning, we will drive north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan MacDonald in 1692. You then pass through Fort William nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We continue through the Great Glen a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. B

day 04 thu Isle of Skye

Today is a flexible day on Skye; and your driver-guide ensures you take a unique route that suits the weather, the local events, and your group's interests. You can travel north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond. Here you find the geological wonders like Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Or your guide may take you back in time and teach you about the legends and clan culture surrounding the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle. We return you to your accommodation in Plockton in the late afternoon for you to enjoy a free evening in the village.
day 05 fri Portree-Loch Ness-Inverness
You will be collected from your accommodation for the short drive to the famous stronghold of Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander", set at the junction of three lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Then you travel east taking in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the five Sisters of Kintail. Continue on to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie".Half an hour south of Loch Ness you will stop in the village of Spean Bridge and join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Orkney. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions. With your new crew you will continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch passing by Urquhart castle. You can expect to arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital, and the place of our overnight stay at approx 18.30
day 06 sat Inverness-John O’Groats-Kirkwall
Is an early start, leaving behind the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing over the Black Isle, and past Dunrobin Castle. From here you drive through the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery, and enjoy amazing views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as Golden Eagles and red deer. Onwards through Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John o' Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. From here it is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where we stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney where you shall stay for two nights. Here you can visit Kirkwall's magnificent Viking Cathedral and its historic winding streets.
day 07 sun Kirkwall-Skara Brae-Stromness-Kirkwall
This is your chance to explore this fantastic, ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. You will visit the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae (older than the Pyramids of Egypt!), the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness. We stop in Stromness - one of Scotland's most picturesque seaboard villages and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. Then its back to Kirkwall for our second night after what is sure to be a memorable day.

day 08 mon Kirkwall-Assynt-Ullapool

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day as you leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here you travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of our northern coastline. We then visit the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. From here we travel to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you will spend the next two nights. Once again you will leave the group at this point and on day 10 join your new group, with whom you will stay for the rest of the tour. B

day 09 tue Ullapool

Gives you a free day in Ullapool to do as you please before joining up with your new crew the next day. There are many possibilities available in this lovely town, Options for your day include enjoying a day just to relax and absorb the highland tranquil pace of life whilst browsing the small craft boutiques nestling through the streets of the town. Or why not take the local boat, the ‘Summer Queen’ from the pier for an idyllic ‘summer Isles’ cruise. Alternatively, you could head up Claypool hill for an easy two hour walk offering wonderful views over Loch Broom reaching a maximum height of 900ft. Or for the even more adventurous add to this walk by completing a three hour circuit returning to the town via Rhiddoroch estate. (Full details of all local walks can be found at the local tourist information centre). There is also a local swimming pool, and a small museum giving an informative narrative about the natural and social history of the area.

day 10 wed Ullapool-Stornoway

Catch the morning ferry from Ullapool for the 2 hour sail along Loch Broom, past the Summer Isles then out across the Minch to Stornoway – the main town on Lewis and capital of the Outer Hebrides. Look out for dolphins, whales and seabirds during the crossing. In the afternoon explore the North West coast from Arnol with its historic old “blackhouse”, through traditional crofting townships to Port of Ness and the very north tip of the island – the Butt of Lewis. From the lighthouse here there is nothing between you and the Americas! Overnight in Stornoway.

day 11 thu Stornoway-Carloway-Callanish-Bhaltos-Stornoway

Today will be spent exploring some of the prehistoric remains on the island as well as its finest beaches. The fascinating circular stone fort, or Broch, at Carloway will be our first stop followed by more traditional crofting communities such as Gearrannan and Shawbost. Then its on to Callanish with its mysterious ancient stone circle. In the afternoon you will head for the remote district of Uig with its fine, sandy beaches at Bhaltos, dramatic sea cliffs and rugged hills. This is the wilderness of the Western Isles at its finest. Overnight again in Stornoway. B

day 12 fri Stornoway-Harris-Luskentyre-Portree

Travelling south today from the wild moorlands of Lewis to the more mountainous Harris – almost but not quite an island on its own. Famous for the locally produced cloth, Harris Tweed, it is also home to the highest mountains in the Outer Hebrides and the stunning white sands of Luskentyre. After a morning of exploring South Harris you will stop for lunch in the small port of Tarbet. Here you will catch the late afternoon ferry to Skye and continue on to the harbour town of Portree, your base for the next two nights.

day 13 sat Isle of Skye

Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide’s knowledge will come to the fore in developing the best day out for you. For example you might travel north to the stunning Quiraing Mountain Pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery or visit the Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. Or, after lunch you could travel to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye. Alternatively a visit to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan MacLeod, may be possible.

day 14 sun Portree-Glencoe-Killin-Edinburgh

Departing from Portree the return journey to Edinburgh has many highlights – a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, Fort William and the dramatic scenery and dark history of Glencoe. Travelling back south through the Central Highland the last stop of the day will be in Killin beside the Falls of Dochart before returning to Edinburgh.

Inclusions: twin share 3* accommodation, breakfast daily, coach transport, driver/guide, local taxes & service charges.

Note: 4* accommodation supplement available on request only.

Note: itinerary is subject to change

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