Hebrides Explorer - The Isles of Harris & Isles of Lewis

Off the west coast of Scotland are the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris which form the main island in the Outer Hebrides. With dramatic landscapes, a unique Gaelic culture and fascinating history, Lewis and Harris are a great place to enjoy our Hebridean adventure. You will be blown away by wild mountains, immense white beaches, rugged coastlines and lunar landscapes.Thursday: We depart the Travel Centre this morning and make our way north, making adequate comfort stops as we head for our overnight hotel, the Alexandra Hotel, Fort William.

Friday: Today we continue our journey passing Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most recognisable castles in Scotland. After crossing the Skye Bridge we make our way up this famous island to Portree and then onto Uig, where we catch the afternoon ferry to Tarbet on Harris. Once we arrive on Harris, we make our way to the Caladh Inn, where we stay for the next three nights.

Saturday: Our day begins with a visit to the Calanais Visitor Centre and the extraordinary 5,000 year old Calanais Standing Stones, one of the best preserved megalithic sites in the whole of Scotland and predating the famous Stonehenge monument. Our day continues with a visit to Gearrannann Blackhouse Village where we step back in time to experience the way of life in a typical crofting township of the 19th century. We return to our hotel via Norse Mill and Kiln, two traditionally constructed and thatched stone buildings set into a small river valley, used as a mill and kiln until the 1930s.

Sunday: Today we embark on a relaxing tour of the islands of Harris and Lewis which are steeped in history and culture stretching back thousands of years. Our day begins by travelling south to Tarbet and the Isle of Scalpay, which has a population of 300 and is a compact 2.5 square miles in total. The island is connected to Harris via a single track bridge. This afternoon, we head north to the Port of Ness, a picturesque fishing village with the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse marking the most northerly point on the mainland of the Isle of Lewis.

Monday: Today we spend some time at leisure relaxing this morning in Stornaway, before heading to the ferry terminal to board the afternoon ferry to Ullapool. On arrival, we make the journey south again via Inverness to our home for the next two nights in Pitlochry. We arrive at our hotel, the Fisher’s Hotel, in Pitlochry, in time for late dinner.

Tuesday: Relax in your hotel and enjoy exploring the picture-postcard town of Pitlochry. Popular for over 150 years as a holiday destination, the town boasts Queen Victoria as one of its original visitors. Enjoy a stroll along Main Street in this charming resort with many attractive shops, bars and tearooms.

Wednesday: This morning we bid a fond farewell to the hotel and make our way back south, making adequate comforts stops, before arriving back at the Travel Centre early evening.Alexandra Hotel
This 3-star hotel provides traditional Scottish hospitality and is located in the heart of the popular tourist destination of Fort William.
All 93 bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities and television. All rooms are comfortable and homely in style. There is a spacious restaurant, a traditional bar decorated in Scottish fabrics and a cosy lounge. All single rooms are true single rooms.

Caladh Inn
This very friendly 3-star hotel is conveniently situated a short walk from Stornway town centre and is ideally located for exploring both Lewis & Harris.
All 68 bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television and hair dryer. There is an informal, spacious restaurant, a bar offering comfortable seating and a relaxing lounge with sofas and armchairs. Dinner is carvery/buffet style at the hotel. All single rooms are true single rooms.

Fishers Hotel
This friendly Victorian hotel is situated in a picturesque village location in the heart of historic Pitlochry.
All bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television, telephone and hair dryer. There is a bright spacious restaurant and two bars. There are also two elegant lounge areas full of comfortable sofas and armchairs and an outside seating area in the lovely gardens. The hotel does have a lift but not to all floors and there are some ground floor bedrooms. All single rooms are true single rooms.

Hotels
• Alexandra Hotel, Fort William (Fort William) - View Information
• Fishers Hotel (Pitlochry) - View Information
• Caladh Inn (Stornoway) - View Information