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The Outer Hebrides and the Highlands

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8 days From £2,099 £1,899 per person
3.9 stars(235 reviews)
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Journey on the iconic West Highland Line, discover ancient sites and villages, explore Loch Ness and lose yourself in Scotland’s untamed Highlands and the Outer Hebrides

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Save up to £200pp on British Isles 2025 holidays, when you book by 31st January 2025.

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No Single Supplement

No Single Supplement subject to availability on selected departures. 

Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: OHS25

About the tour

Wild beauty and ancient wonders await on this holiday to Scotland's Outer Hebrides - also known as the Western Isles - and the dramatic Scottish Highlands. From the dynamic city of Glasgow, we travel on the world-renowned West Highland Line to Fort William, as a moving picture of mountains, lochs and heather-clad moors unfolds.

Set sail on a sea eagle safari, encounter the mystical Callanish Standing Stones, and visit the historic Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. Along the way, we stay in Fort William, on the Isle of Lewis, and Inverness.

Unforgettable experiences

Travelling on the iconic West Highland Line
Travelling on the iconic West Highland Line
Experience ‘the world’s best train ride’, a scenic journey from Glasgow to Fort William, across the Scottish Highlands. This dramatic route passes picturesque moorland, Loch Lomond, and The Trossachs National Park.
Uncovering the untamed beauty of the Isle of Lewis
Uncovering the untamed beauty of the Isle of Lewis
Discover the timeless culture of the Isle of Lewis, exploring the unique local history of this Outer Hebridean island, and visiting a preserved crofting community with an expert local guide.
Sailing into the waters of Lewis on a sea eagle safari
Sailing into the waters of Lewis on a sea eagle safari
Encounter remarkable wildlife on a sea eagle safari along the pristine shores of the Isle of Lewis. Often spotted hovering around the rugged cliffsides, these magnificent birds were almost extinct until reintroduced to this remote island.
Visiting the mysterious Callanish Standing Stones
Visiting the mysterious Callanish Standing Stones
Witness the fascinating Callanish Standing Stones, Scotland's best-preserved Neolithic monument and an important site of ritual, shrouded in mystery and legend. Erected around 5,000 years ago, the stones pre-date Stonehenge.
Discovering the hidden gems of Inverness
Discovering the hidden gems of Inverness
Staying in the historic town of Inverness on the banks of the River Ness, there’s free time to explore the picturesque landscapes and to visit Inverness Castle.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Getting to know Glasgow, Scotland’s most populous city

Your holiday starts in Glasgow, a city which blends striking architecture, a rich cultural heritage, and a down-to-earth attitude. After checking in to our historic hotel and meeting the Tour Manager, there's time to look around the neighbourhood before dinner.

Within easy walking distance is Glasgow's cathedral and the city's main pedestrian boulevard, Buchanan Street, with its impressive variety of shops -not to mention a library, museum, and design centre. Another option is to relax with a drink in the hotel's award-winning champagne lounge, which overlooks the station concourse.

A 3-course dinner is served at our hotel this evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The celebrated West Highland Line to Fort William

Leaving Glasgow after an early breakfast, we board the Scotrail service for a morning journey on the scenic West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William, a distance of 123 miles across the wild Scottish Highlands. Regularly voted 'the world's best train ride', we discover why as we travel through dramatic landscapes, passing heather-clad moors, Loch Lomond, and The Trossachs National Park.

Arriving around lunchtime, our hotel in Fort William sits on the banks of the River Nevis, four miles from the iconic Ben Nevis. With the afternoon at leisure, you could start exploring with a stroll along the river towards Glen Nevis. This peaceful glen is one of Scotland's best examples of a glaciated valley, and the film Braveheart was made here.

In the opposite direction, the centre of Fort William overlooks Loch Linnhe and is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. There you'll find a variety of seafood and fish restaurants, or cafés and delis for a light lunch.

Later, we gather at the hotel restaurant for a 3-course dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – The Glenfinnan Viaduct and sailing to the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides

This morning we rejoin the West Highland Line and continue north through the remote West Highlands to the small fishing port of Mallaig. Regarded by many as the most scenic section of the route, our journey follows the banks of the saltwater Loch Eil, and crosses the remarkable Glenfinnan Viaduct. This impressive curved railway bridge is a feat of Victorian engineering, known for its on-screen appearance in films including the Harry Potter series. As we cross the River Finnan, the views of Loch Schiel are astonishing, and next to the loch is a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie. The train then runs alongside the freshwater Loch Eilt, where trees cling to tiny floating islands.

On arrival in Mallaig, we catch our first glimpse of the Scottish coastline. From here, we catch the ferry to Skye then drive over the bridge to Ullapool. Here, we sail to Stornaway on the remote Isle of Lewis, with dinner onboard. Once on land, we transfer to our hotel in the secluded village of Borve on the West coast for a late check in and a peaceful night's rest.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – A unique sea eagle safari and discovering Stornoway

Today we're introduced to the Isle of Lewis by boat and coach. On a unique sea eagle safari, besides the chance to see these fantastic birds soaring above, there's also a possibility of spotting herons, seals or dolphins.

Stornoway is the largest town in the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis. We explore it by coach with a guide who is an expert in Hebridean history. Among other attractions, our tour takes in Stornoway Harbour, where pastel-hued houses line the bay and the Gothic Revival style Lews Castle stands. We may catch glimpses of Celtic culture in this characterful town where Gaelic is still spoken.

Between touring on land and water, we stop at the Royal Hotel for a fish and chips lunch overlooking the harbour. Later we return to our hotel with some time at leisure in the unspoilt village of Borve. You could wander down to one of the wild sweeping beaches, visit the Borve Standing Stones or simply unwind at the hotel ahead of dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – The Ness Historical Society, Callanish Standing Stones, and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village

Accompanied by our expert guide for the day, we visit the Ness Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve and promote the history, language and culture of North Lewis. The museum's historical artefacts and exhibits bring the heritage of the area to life, providing an insight into the island culture.

After free time for lunch in Stornaway we drive up to the magnificent Callanish Stones, that were erected 5,000 years ago, making them even older than Stonehenge. Forming a cruciform of thirteen stones with a monolith in the middle, we stand in the shadow of these giant Neolithic structures, which the 17th-century people of Lewis called 'fir bhrèige' or 'false men'.

Our final visit of the day is to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, on the southwestern coast of Lewis, a preserved crofting township. With entrance included, we're free to look around the preserved blackhouses and traditional stone cottages with thatched roofs, and learn about the crafts and customs of the island's inhabitants. We transfer back to our hotel, where there's time to relax before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – The Stornoway Museum, onwards to Inverness

This morning, our specialist guide joins us on a visit to the Stornoway Museum, which tells the story of this Outer Hebridean island and the people who have called it home for the past 5,000 years. With a range of artefacts and interactive exhibits, this is an interesting place to spend a couple of hours.

After time to find lunch independently in Stornoway, we board the ferry back to the fishing village of Ullapool. As we set sail, we see the Isle of Lewis disappear into the horizon while the mainland beckons in the distance.

From Ullapool, we continue by coach through the rugged mountain scenery of the Highlands, passing the River Beauly - one of Scotland's best salmon fishing rivers - to the historic city of Inverness. On arrival, we check in to our hotel in Inverness, where we dine this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Exploring Inverness, driving back to Glasgow

This morning is free and you could take the opportunity to discover Inverness at your own pace. The city centre is a 5-minute walk along the River Ness and across the bridge, and you could also visit the Inverness Castle which faces our hotel. The VisitScotland information centre is nearby, just behind the Inverness Museum and Art gallery.

In the early afternoon we make our way to the station where we board the Scotrail service back to Glasgow.

After travelling beside the stunning mountains, lochs and forests of the Cairngorms National Park - passing the towns and cities of Pitlochry, Perth and Stirling - we reach Glasgow. Once we have checked in to our modern city centre hotel, we dine there tonight, the last evening of our holiday.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

After the final breakfast this morning, our holiday in Scotland draws to a close. Once we have checked out of the hotel and said our goodbyes, it's time to head home. Alternatively, you could continue to explore more of Scotland's inspiring landscapes on your own.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Maldron Hotel, Glasgow

Maldron Hotel, Glasgow

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Voco Grand Central, Glasgow

Voco Grand Central, Glasgow

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Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

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Borve House Hotel, Isle of Lewis

Borve House Hotel, Isle of Lewis

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Train

West Highland Line

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Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

3.9 stars3.9 / 5 · 235 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (80)
  2. 4 stars
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  3. 3 stars
    (35)
  4. 2 stars
    (13)
  5. 1 star
    (12)

Martin Bacon

3 stars

Submitted 8/Sep

Well run tour but a bit of a rush.

Collected by Trustpilot

PETER Ramsbottom

5 stars

Submitted 8/Sep

Shame about Skye but overall a great trip. Good Hotels and food

Collected by Trustpilot

James Dixon

5 stars

Submitted 4/Sep

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday. Great Rail Journeys masterfully overcame the several challenges that the weather threw at us.

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G Keat

5 stars

Submitted 1/Sep

A holiday for those who like wild, windy and empty places. Fantastic!

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Michael Linney

5 stars

Submitted 26/Aug

Excellent guide - Rob Clarke - went the extra mile.

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Tony

4 stars

Submitted 3/Jun

Lovely tour with a couple of early starts but also nice surprises. Good tour guides throughout and nice hotels albeit the service left a bit to be desired.

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