Luskentyre, Isle of Harris

Hebridean Island Hopping

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

8 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1465 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Sandy beaches

The Outer Hebrides are home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe, clear golden sands of the highest quality, which you’ll often have all to yourself. Make sure you visit the jaw-dropping Luskentyre beach on the Isle of Harris.

Sparkling seas

Hop from island to island and enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see. Sit and watch the sparkling waves meet the shore and allow yourself to drift off and dream.

Wildlife-watching

From the seas to the hills there are a whole host of wildlife spotting points. From playful seals and dolphins to orcas and minke whales, they all call the Hebridean coast home. Flying high above the hills of Harris the white-tailed eagle soars and on the moorlands of Lewis, the red deer roams.

Isle of Harris

With some of Britain’s best beaches lining its western coastline, much of the east coast terrain of the Isle of Harris is lunar in appearance, with huge grey rocks across the landscape peppered with patches of grass. Explore the famous east coast Golden Road and you will be treated to twisting roads connecting these small communities.

Gaelic culture

The Outer Hebrides is one of the few places in Scotland you can hear the Gaelic language spoken. Enjoy the friendly nature of the locals and immerse yourself in the culture.

Callanish standing stones

Step back in time over 5,000 years and walk amongst the giant standing stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis. These massive stone structures hold great mystery and intrigue for many.

An Island-Hopping Adventure in Scotland’s Western Isles

This tour of the Outer Hebrides will travel through some of the finest beaches in Scotland and allow you to visit one of the oldest Neolithic sites in the world.

Travel over the seas to the Isle of Barra and continue through the Uists and Benbecula. Journey over to the joint islands of Harris and Lewis, both with stunning landscapes, before crossing back to the mainland.

This wonderful island-hopping self-drive tour explores the majestic islands of the Outer Hebrides by sea and by road. Spectacularly located on the extreme edge of Europe, this island chain offers striking landscapes, some of the world’s most stunning beaches, sparkling seas, and a captivating history dating back thousands of years.

An elemental beauty pervades each of the 200 islands that make up the archipelago. Experience a real sense of belonging and freedom as you explore these legendary islands and soak up the warm Hebridean hospitality.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Oban to the Isle of Barra

Depart Oban bound for the Isle of Barra – your first Hebridean destination, and the most southerly of the inhabited islands. Spend two magical nights in Castlebay, the island’s capital, which is famed for its white sandy beaches, gentle hills, machair and moorland. These combine to make Barra is a very special place indeed.
Overnight – Isle of Barra

Day 2: Isle of Barra Sightseeing

Visit the airport – one of the most unusual in the world – with flights landing on the beach at Cockle Strand between tides. Walk along glorious beaches, cycle around the island, and visit Kisimul Castle, ancestral home of Clan MacNeil standing guard over Castlebay harbour. Barra can take your breath away with its colour, tranquility and beauty.
Overnight – Isle of Barra

Day 3: Isle of Barra to North Uist

Hop on the ferry to Eriskay and discover the story of ‘Whisky Galore,’ when the islanders retrieved a cargo of 250,000 bottles of whisky from a nearby shipwreck. Travel north by road over spectacular causeways through the stunning scenery of the Uists and Benbecula to your second destination in these beautiful islands.
Overnight – North Uist

Day 4: North Uist Sightseeing

North Uist is a remarkable island – partially covered by a mixture of sea and freshwater lochs which sparkle into brilliance when the sun shines. From here visit Benbecula, Berneray and South Uist – ideal for walking, kayaking and wildlife-watching.
Overnight – North Uist

Day 5: North Uist to Harris

Your next destination is the Isle of Harris – an island ready to exceed all expectations. Explore the lunar landscape of the Harris hills & discover castles standing guard over deserted bays. Take a tranquil journey through time, surrounded by the most beautiful beaches imaginable, backed by the shell-sand pasture of the machair and its vivid display of spring and summer flowers.
Overnight – Isle of Harris

Day 6: Isle of Harris Sightseeing

The mountains of north Harris contrast with the rolling moors and lochans of Lewis, and offer unrivalled opportunities for hillwalkers, birdwatchers and wildlife-lovers. Explore the shimmering strands of Luskentyre beach and take a drive along the “Golden Road,” a bizarre moonscape of eroded crags and black lochans.
Overnight – Isle of Harris

Day 7: Harris to the Isle of Lewis

Lewis is the largest and northernmost island in the Outer Hebrides. The main hub is bustling Stornoway which is by far the largest settlement in the Hebrides. The landscape and history of Lewis combine together with the hospitality of its people to provide a wonderful escape from the pressures of modern life.
Overnight – Isle of Lewis

Day 8: Isle of Lewis Sightseeing

Crafting and fishing villages are dotted along the north-west coast of Lewis, from where archaeology buffs will make a beeline to the famous Standing Stones at Callanish, a fascinating group of nearly 50 megaliths dating from around 3,000 BC.

The west coast has brilliant beaches while much of the island is made up of peat bog, the favoured habitat of a variety of rare breeding birds. The Butt of Lewis, the northerly tip of the island, is home to many seabirds and an excellent spot for watching whales and dolphins.
Overnight – Isle of Lewis

Day 9: Depart to Ullapool

Depart the Hebridean Islands by ferry bound for the fishing village of Ullapool.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 8 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
9 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
All ferry crossings (as per your itinerary)
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Outer Hebrides

When is the best time to visit the Outer Hebrides? What are the best places to stay? Where are the most beautiful beaches? Scotland's spectacular western islands are a destination close to our hearts and we’re delighted to share some of our first-hand knowledge. Find out all you've ever wanted to know about visiting the Outer Hebrides ... Read more