Hebridean Island Adventure - 6 days

Hebridean Island Adventure - 6 days

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Hebridean Island Adventure - 6 days

6 Days Starting and ending in UK

Visiting: Skye, Scotland, Dunvegan, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Harris, Ullapool, United Kingdom

Tour operator:

Newmarket Holidays

Tour code:

17138

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

25 - 49

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

21-99

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Explore Scotland’s magical Western Isles, an unspoilt, uncrowded and timeless land of stunning scenery, ancient history and unique culture.


Perched on the very edge of Britain, these beautiful, unspoilt islands, guardians of a rich culture with its roots in the mists of time have been continually inhabited for over 6000 years. Combining huge skies and the ocean-washed sands of vast empty beaches with mountains and moorlands rich in flora and fauna, and a pace of life long forgotten on the mainland, a holiday to the Outer Hebrides is an unforgettable experience.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a tour of the enchanting Isle of Skye

  • Travel around the Isle of Harris

  • Explore the beautiful Isle of Lewis

  • Visit charming Portree and historic Dunvegan Castle

  • Venture to the Standing Stones of Calanais, a Black House, the Broch of Carloway and the Butt of Lewis

Itinerary

Expand All

Day One – Fly To Scotland And Travel To Skye

Location: Skye, Scotland

Fly to Scotland to meet your tour manager. Once onboard the coach, you'll head towards the Isle of Skye. It's a long but beautiful journey, which, time permitting, you'll break at the famous Eilean Donan Castle on the shores of Loch Duich.

Day Two – Included Island Tour And Visit To Dunvegan Castle

Location: Dunvegan

Passing the famous Cullin Hills, whose craggy peaks are often obscured by a veil of mist, you’ll head to Dunvegan Castle. Stronghold of the chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years, and said to be the oldest continuously occupied 'family home' in Scotland, this is an amazing place steeped in history.


This afternoon, explore the island’s main town, Portree, where you'll find delightful white- and colour-washed buildings set around the harbour, all surrounded by dramatic scenery.

Day Three – Sail To Stornoway

Location: Stornoway

Early this morning, you’ll head to Ullapool to catch the ferry to Stornoway.


After two and a half hours sailing, you’ll arrive in Stornoway and begin explorations of this pretty capital of Lewis and Harris. Check into the Cabarfeidh Hotel where dinner will be served this evening.

Day Four – Included Tour Of Harris And Lewis

Location: Isle of Lewis, Harris

Today, you'll head to Harris, with its high mountains and rocky coastline to the east, and its miles of unspoilt beaches washed by Atlantic waves on the west.


Our first stop is Rodel Church, perhaps the grandest medieval building in the Western Isles. After time to explore the little port of Tarbet, you'll continue to the celebrated Standing Stones of Calanais, a dramatic collection of almost 50 ancient stones. A short walk from the road (over fairly rough ground) takes us to the exceptionally well -preserved Carloway Broch, a circular dry-stone fortified tower dating back some 2000 years.


Moving on, you'll visit the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village with its typical crofting buildings which give a fascinating insight into the lives and resourcefulness of the islands' inhabitants.

Day Five – Included Visit To The Butt Of Lewis And Travel To Ullapool

Location: Ullapool, Isle of Lewis

This morning, you'll head to the Butt of Lewis, at the northern tip of Lewis, the final highlight of your stay in the Hebrides. "Set sail", in the early afternoon, for the two-hour 30-minute crossing to Ullapool then follow a wonderfully scenic route through Wester Ross to Newtonmore or Carrbridge (depending on your departure date) and your final hotel.

Day Six – Fly Home

Location: United Kingdom, Skye

Journey back to the airport, this morning, to catch your flight home.

What's Included

  • Five nights' dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation at a series of hotels on the Isle of Skye (2 nights), Stornoway (2) and Gairloch (1)

  • All ferry crossings

  • Tour of the Isle of Skye and visit to Dunvegan Castle and Portree

  • Tour of Harris and Lewis

  • Visit to the Butt of Lewis and travel to Ullapool

  • Return flights to Edinburgh or Inverness, with coach travel and transfers throughout

  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

What's Not Included

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time to your first hotel is approximately five hours from Edinburgh airport and two hours from Inverness airport. The transfer time from your last hotel to Edinburgh airport is approximately three hours, and one hour to Inverness airport.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Access to Carloway Broch

Please note that the Broch is a short walk over fairly rough ground from the road.

Access to Dunvegan Castle

Please note that disabled access to this ancient building is limited. There are two shallow steps into the reception area, followed by approximately 20 steps up to the main rooms. Thereafter the route is level. Many of the garden paths are suitable for wheelchairs.

Sunday closing

Please note that most local businesses in the Outer Hebrides will be closed on Sundays.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

Travelling to Europe after Brexit

New rules apply when travelling to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though.
Passport - British passport holders need to have at least six months validity left on their passport and it needs to be less than ten years old; passports which have a longer validity than ten years are not valid for travel once the tenth anniversary of issue has passed. These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.
Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Towards the end of 2022, it is likely that non EU citizens will be required to apply online for an authorisation to visit most European countries. The current details suggest there will be a charge of €7 per person and the authorisation will be valid for all trips made to the EU in a three year period from issue. We will advise you of confirmed details prior to your tour’s departure.
Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required.
Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Mobile Roaming - Roaming charges have been re-introduced by some UK providers when visiting the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Prior to travel, please do check with your phone operator for the most up to date information.

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time to your first hotel is approximately five hours from Edinburgh airport and two hours from Inverness airport. The transfer time from your last hotel to Edinburgh airport is approximately three hours, and one hour to Inverness airport.

Travelling to Europe after Brexit

New rules apply when travelling to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though.

Passport - British passport holders need to have at least six months validity left on their passport and it needs to be less than ten years old; passports which have a longer validity than ten years are not valid for travel once the tenth anniversary of issue has passed. These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.

Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total.

European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Towards the end of 2022, it is likely that non EU citizens will be required to apply online for an authorisation to visit most European countries. The current details suggest there will be a charge of €7 per person and the authorisation will be valid for all trips made to the EU in a three year period from issue. We will advise you of confirmed details prior to your tour’s departure.

Border Control - At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required.

Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information. You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Mobile Roaming - Roaming charges have been re-introduced by some UK providers when visiting the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Prior to travel, please do check with your phone operator for the most up to date information.

October 2024 hotel changes

Please note the Caladh Inn replaces the Cabarfeidh Hotel, and the Ben Wyvis Hotel replaces the Gairloch Hotel on this tour date. Both hotels are of a comparable three-star standard.’

Calanais Stones excursion replacement (1 September 2024 onwards)

From the 1st of September onwards, the Calanais Stones visitor centre is closed for renovation, so the site will be closed to the general public. As a replacement to the included visit to the Calanais Stones, there will be a visit to Lews Castle, with its exciting Museum nan Eilean.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.


Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.


Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").


Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.


European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    The transfer time to your first hotel is approximately five hours from Edinburgh airport and two hours from Inverness airport. The transfer time from your last hotel to Edinburgh airport is approximately three hours, and one hour to Inverness airport.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1983

  • Vaccination Requirements

    Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • Fitness to Travel

    We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.

Reviews of this operator

Mr Albert Owen  

Help is at hand at Newmarket holidays

04-Jan-2023

I tried to book myself on line for an Andre Rieu concert in Vienna but I didn’t manage to complete the booking. I rang the next day & spoke to Sharon who was very helpful. I am a 76 year old pensioner & not totally au fa with the internet. However, Sharon went through it step by step & I felt more confident. She completed the booking for me & said she would also send a paper copy.

Iain Moir  

Newmarket Holidays…top dollar!

06-Jan-2023

Having booked late the service we received from Newmarket staff has been excellent - helpful, friendly, painstaking and above all going further than we could really expect to ensure our requests were all satisfied. We would like to particularly thank Naima for her attention to detail and perseverance in following up our queries. This is the first time we have tried NH but it wont be the last

Miss F J Murphy  

This is the third holiday I have taken…

05-Nov-2021

This is the third holiday I have taken with Newmarket Holidays. They made it easy to change from the Holiday I originally booked to one in the UK. The tour leader was excellent as was our driver, both of whom went the extra mile to ensure we had a lovely holiday. There were difficulties at the hotel due to COVID but we were made very welcome and the staff went out of their way to help us. So I have no complaint about Newmarket's choice of hotel. I am a single traveller and normally do not like to travel in groups but the laidback atmosphere of Newmarket Holidays is fine.

Trustpilot
Caroline N, GB  

Hurrah for Eddie and Simon, Newmarket's highlands duo!

26-Oct-2021

Very happy time on an action packed trip to the Scottish highlands. Eddie as tour manager and Simon as driver. Eddie shared his passion for Scottish history and between them they treated us to many unscheduled cultural stops that enhanced our holiday. They went above and beyond all the time. Train trips were amazing and views unforgettable. Hotel was welcoming and food was good. Hot water aplenty for bath. We wanted to escape to another world for a few days and we truly did. THANK YOU. Chris and Caroline

Trustpilot
Tony King, GB  

Canada October 2021

28-Oct-2021

We have returned from our long overdue trip to Canada Niagara Falls to the Rockies stating in Toronto and finishing in Vancouver. Well we happened to be the first trip back after the Coiid outbreak and it was so good to go. The company had made sure we were all safe and masks were worn where ever they had to be but this did not dampen the trip at all, the Tour directors ( guides ) were brilliant and we saw and did so much it was a fantastic trip which I would recommend to everyone, defiantly one for the bucket list.

Trustpilot

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Vaccination Requirements

    Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.

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