Edinburgh
Three islands in five days! Get off the beaten track and venture to the remote Western Isles on this epic tour of Scotland.
Three islands in five days! Get off the beaten track and venture to the remote Western Isles on this epic tour of Scotland. World-renowned for their isolation, rugged beauty and white sandy beaches, the Outer Hebrides will leave you speechless more than once. Marvel at the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis and hop to the Isle of Harris, where you get to prance around on the most beautiful white sandy beach in Scotland. Sail over the sea to Skye where mountainous peaks, cliffs and stunning beaches are drenched in ancient Gaelic traditions and culture. Throw in famous sites on the Scottish mainland like the dark depths of Loch Ness, mighty Highland scenery and the atmospheric Glencoe and this is a trip to remember!
We spend 5 days exploring Scotland. We visit Edinburgh, Stornoway, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness.
What Is Included...
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4 nights hostel multi share accommodation
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All transport and ferry crossings
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Your legendary local HAGGiS Guide
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Island whisky distillery visit
Trip Highlights
- The beauty of the isolated Outer Hebrides
- Isle of Skye’s awe-inspiring scenery
- The wild Atlantic coastline
Trip Departures
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in place globally, we will not be running any trips in 2021. Get more information on why this decision was made or see below for similar trips being run by our sister brands, Contiki and CostSaver.
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5 Day Itinerary
Hebridean Hopper 5 day full itinerary breakdown and route map
View interactive map
Day 1
Edinburgh to Stornoway
We leave Edinburgh at 8.15am, travel past the famous Forth Bridge and into Perthshire - “The Big Tree Country”. We visit the picturesque Dunkeld Cathedral on the banks of the River Tay where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. Our journey north takes us through the natural beauty of the Cairngorms National Park, past Inverness known as ‘the capital of the Highlands’ and onwards to Ullapool on the wild far north-west coast of Scotland. We board the ferry here and travel by sea to the remote Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Lewis. As you sail west into the sunset.
Day 2
Stornoway
We visit an Island whisky distillery for a taste of Scotland’s national drink ‘The Water of Life’. It’s certainly an interesting way to wake you up in the morning! Our next stop is at the stunning Callanish Standing Stones, Neolithic in age, older than Stonehenge, their meaning remains a mystery. Perhaps an ancient calendar? A site of worship? Who knows!? But these are considered to be some of the most impressive and inspiring of any of the ancient stones in Britain. We visit a traditional Blackhouse village for a unique insight into the island’s approach to life – here you will find the home of a traditional tweed maker, a fabric exclusive to the islands but now considered very trendy! Explore Dun Carloway, a remarkably well-preserved Iron Age broch that was later used as a stronghold, before ending our day with a windy walk at the Butt of Lewis, with its isolated lighthouse and stunning ocean views. In the evening, it’s time to warm ourselves up again in a local pub!
Day 3
Stornoway to Isle of Skye
In the morning we explore the surprising beaches of the Isle of Harris. You will find some of the world’s most beautiful beaches on this little Scottish island. No, really you will. You will be mesmerised when you see the crystal-clear blue waters, magnificent mountain backdrops and traditional crofting culture. Nobody will believe you when you try to tell them about the beauty you were surrounded by, so make sure your camera is charged so you can take some evidence with you when you leave. This day is all about enjoying this beautiful remote place so prepare yourself for beach games and sandcastle building or simply sit back and enjoy the views. These islands are also home to the Clan MacLeod who have lived here for centuries. We then travel over the sea to the magical Isle of Skye where we spend the night.
Day 4
Isle of Skye to Loch Ness
The Isle of Skye has it all. Ruined castles, breathtaking views and faerie stories. You will hear all about the legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans, as well as the Celtic myths and Viking legends from the past millennia. This mystical island has stories to tell for a lifetime, so no wonder it's starred in some classic Hollywood hits. Take to foot as your Guide leads you to the best spots for the classic panoramic views you see in travel magazines. Skye packs an amazing array of stunning scenery, from dramatic mountain ranges and rugged coastlines to soaring waterfalls. You’ll return to the mainland past the beautiful Eilean Donan Castle, the most photographed castle in Scotland and on to your home for the night, Morag’s Lodge on the banks of Loch Ness. Here you can head to the bar and be sure to find some traditional Scottish hospitality.
Day 5
Loch Ness to Edinburgh
We head south to mysterious and haunting Glencoe also known as the ‘Weeping Glen’. Stunningly beautiful, it has been the backdrop in movies like Harry Potter, Braveheart, Rob Roy and more recently Skyfall. It’s not only the magnificent scenery that makes Glencoe so special, but also the tragic events the mountains have witnessed in the past centuries. Hear from your local Guide about the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan and you will see the beautiful glen with new eyes. This place is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. We cross the wilds of Rannoch Moor towards the Lowlands and on past Doune Castle, which starred in Outlander and Game of Thrones. As we pass historic Stirling, your Guide will speak passionately about ancient Scottish heroes such as William Wallace and Rob Roy MacGregor, before we arrive back in Edinburgh at approximately 5pm.
