Sligachan, Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye & The Outer Hebrides

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

5 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £960 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is popular for its stunning and dramatic volcanic scenery, including the Cuillin Mountain Range, the iconic Storr and spectacular Quiraing. Portree is its colourful capital.

Breathtaking beaches

The Outer Hebrides are home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe, clear golden sands of the highest quality, with sparkling views over the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see.

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.

Legendary landscapes

From beautiful beaches to majestic mountains, the diversity of these islands is truly astounding. 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.

North & South Uist

Explore the walking, kayaking & wildlife-watching available on Benbecula and the Uists, home to white sandy beaches & sparkling sea lochs.

Romantic Dunvegan Castle

The award-winning and picturesque Dunvegan Castle is perched on the banks of Loch Dunvegan, and has an iconic history and five acres of beautiful formal gardens to enjoy.

Discover Scotland’s Most Enchanting Islands

This island-hopping self-drive tour journeys to the edge of Europe to explore some of the most spectacular islands on Scotland’s west coast. Nowhere else will you find such diverse landscapes, wildlife, arts, crafts and music – these Scottish islands have an abundance of beautiful habitats which are peaceful, unspoilt and natural.

Begin your holiday on the Road to the Isles before taking the ferry over to Skye, and watch as the striking landscape of this popular Scottish destination rises up before you. This magical island is a geologist’s dream, with the jaw-dropping Jurassic scenery of the Quiraing and the rocky spike of the Old Man of Storr. The island’s capital is the colourful town of Portree, with its pretty harbour and warm Highland hospitality.

As you travel on through these spectacular islands, you will come to the windswept beaches of Harris. Here, the sparkling seas, lunar landscapes and miles of tranquil white beaches will have you enthralled.

The Isle of Lewis offers a wealth of Gaelic culture, as well as the historic site of the Standing Stones at Callanish, dating back to around 3000 BC. Wildlife watchers will have their work cut out for them, with abundant seabirds, whales, dolphins and porpoises around the northern shores.

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: Glasgow to the Isle of Skye

Depart Glasgow and travel along the famous ‘Road to the Isles’ to Mallaig, where you’ll take a ferry over the sea to Skye. The Isle of Skye is, without doubt, one of the most magical destinations in Scotland. Here, the dramatic Cuillin Mountains and stunning seascapes combine with the warmest of Highland hospitality – truly one of the world’s must-visit destinations.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 2: Isle of Skye Sightseeing

Visit romantic Dunvegan Castle, sample some fine island whisky, or climb aboard a fabulous boat cruise into the heart of the Cuillin Mountains. Explore the pretty town of Portree with its attractive harbour, or enjoy a walk through the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and experience some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 3: Isle of Skye to Isle of Harris

Depart Skye bound for the Island of Harris – your destination in the Outer Hebrides, and an island ready to exceed all expectations. Explore the lunar landscape of the Harris Hills and 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 late spring and summer flowers.
Overnight – Isle of Harris or Lewis

Day 4: Isles of Harris and Lewis Sightseeing

The mountains of north Harris contrast with the rolling moors and lochans of Lewis to offer unrivalled opportunities for hillwalkers, birdwatchers and wildlife-lovers. Crafting and fishing villages are dotted along the north-west coast of Lewis where archaeology buffs will make a beeline to the famous Standing Stones at Callanish, a fascinating group of nearly 50 megaliths dating from around 3000 BC.

The west coast has brilliant beaches to relax and enjoy the solitude. The Butt of Lewis, the far northern tip of the island, is home to many seabirds and is an excellent spot for watching whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Overnight – Isle of Harris or Lewis

Day 5: North Uist Sightseeing

Hop on the ferry to North Uist and discover a remarkable island covered with sparkling seas and freshwater lochs. From here visit Benbecula, Berneray and South Uist – ideal for walking, kayaking and wildlife-watching.
Overnight – Isle of Harris or Lewis

Day 6: Isle of Harris to the Isle of Skye

Depart the Outer Hebrides by ferry and return to the village of Uig on the Isle of Skye, and begin your journey home.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 5 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
6 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

Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Isle of Skye

With soaring mountains and ancient castles, Skye is one of Scotland's most enchanting destinations. Read on to discover everything you need to know about the island - from those who know it best. Read more