The Outer Hebrides - North and South Uist, Barra and Mingulay

7 days from £2470 per person

This private walking holiday in the southern Outer Hebrides visits at least seven islands, including both North and South Uist, historic Barra and the uninhabited and scenic island of Mingulay. These smaller, remote islands in the Outer Hebrides are a great option for the inquisitive traveller where you will be rewarded with glorious white sand beaches, unspoilt villages, beautiful scenic walks and stunning Atlantic panoramas. Your knowledgeable guide will provide you with an absorbing insight into Hebridean history, geology and culture as you travel through these picturesque islands. They will also help you spot a rich variety of flora and fauna which may include, with luck, white tailed sea eagles and basking sharks, dolphins and whales, and the island’s spectacular coastal flower meadows known as ‘machairs’. This seven-day itinerary is based in three different locations, with two nights each on North Uist, South Uist and Barra. You will be staying in local hotels set in magnificent coastal locations all of which offer wonderful Scottish hospitality.

Inverness – North Uist – South Uist – Barra – Inverness

Itinerary Highlights

Take a hike to the summit of Rueval, the small island of Benbecula’s highest peak. Here enjoy spectacular 360 degree views over the remote southern Hebrides.

Visit the picturesque Isle of Barra where you can explore the Iron Age fort of Dun Ban, the beautiful white sandy beaches of Halaman Beach and machair wildflower meadows.

Travel to the abandoned island of Mingulay, Berneray and Pabbay on a private chartered boat. Discover the wild beaches, witness marine and bird life and learn of the island’s rich history.

Itinerary: The Outer Hebrides - North and South Uist, Barra and Mingulay

Day 1 Inverness to North Uist via the Isle of Skye

This morning meet your driver/guide in Inverness and travel through the northwest Highlands of Kintail before crossing over the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye. Once on Skye head to the port of Uig on the west coast to take the ferry (around two hours) across to the small port of Lochmaddy on the Isle of North Uist. On arrival you will have time to stretch your legs with a short walk before heading to your hotel. (L/D)

Walk details: 3 miles / 5kms – approximately 1½ hours

Accommodation in North Uist: Local hotel

Day 2 North Uist

After breakfast head out under foot to explore one of the beautiful beaches of North Uist taking a circular route through the sand dunes to Aird a’ Mhorain, a raised headland 40m above sea level which offers wonderful views north to the Isle of Harris. In the afternoon visit the nearby RSPB Reserve at Balranald which has sweeping sandy beaches, a rocky foreshore, marshes and sand dunes. You can take a trail through the reserve which is an important site involved in the recovery programme of the elusive Corncrake. Other important breeding birds include ringed plover, lapwing and snipe.

Walk details: 6 miles / 10kms – approximately 3 hours excluding the optional walk at Balranald Reserve.

Accommodation in North Uist: Local hotel

Day 3 North Uist to South Uist via Benbecula

This morning visit Benbecula, a small island which links North and South Uist to hike to the summit of Rueval at 127m above sea level. Rueval is the highest point on Benbecula and offers a fantastic 360 degree view across the southern Hebrides where you can supposedly see over 100 freshwater lochs from the summit. Continue your journey onto South Uist where in the afternoon you can enjoy a relaxing walk on the machair grasses at Howmore Beach and see some traditional thatched cottages along the way. If time allows it may also be possible to visit the Bronze Age roundhouses at Cladh Hallan, before arriving at the inn where you will stay for the next two nights. (B/L)

Walk details: 2½ miles / 4kms – approximately 2 hours for the trek to Rueval plus an extra 4kms for the walk at Howmore Beach

Accommodation in South Uist: Orasay Inn (or similar)

Day 4 South Uist

Today cross the causeway onto the Isle of Eriskay, a small and beautiful hilly island with a population of around 200. Your circular hike starts by crossing Prince’s Beach, where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil on the 2nd August 1745 to start the Jacobite Rising. It was also on this beach that the ship SS Politician ran aground in 1941 with its precious cargo of around 250,000 bottles of whisky which was ‘acquired’ by the locals – this incident inspired Compton Mackenzie’s classic Scottish novel, ‘Whisky Galore’. Departing the beach, hike across the moor to a small knoll with stunning sea and mountain views. Before returning to your hotel, make a stop at the Am Politician where a bottle of the stricken whisky is displayed behind the bar. Enjoy a wee dram or two of Scotland’s most famous export. (B/ L)

Walk details: 4 miles / 6kms – approximately 3 hours

Howmore Beach

Accommodation in South Uist: Orasay Inn (or similar)

Day 5 South Uist to the Isles of Barra & Vatersay

Take the ferry across to the Isle of Barra the most southernly of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. The Isles of Barra and Vatersay Barra are delightful to explore with its wonderful beaches, rolling hills and machair grasses. There are numerous walks to enjoy, many of which are short, so it’s possible to enjoy a gentle hike in the morning and again in the afternoon. You may choose to walk to the Iron Age fort of Dun Ban and Halaman Beach. After lunch, you can then enjoy a hike to the 105m summit of Beinn Eolaigearry which is noted for its 360 degree sea views - and it is also a great viewpoint for watching the small planes land on the beach runway at Traigh Mhor. End the day by crossing the causeway to Vatersay to enjoy a short walk on its beautiful beaches. (B/L)

Walk details: 8 miles / 13kms – approximately 5 hours

Accommodation in Barra: Local hotel

Day 6 Isles of Mingulay, Berneray & Pabby

This morning take a privately chartered boat south to the abandoned islands of Mingulay, Berneray and Pabbay, which boast some of the finest coastal landscapes in Scotland with its rugged cliffs, sea stacks and turquoise seas. Now cared for by the National Trust of Scotland, Mingulay and Pabbay have been uninhabited since 1912, Berneray since 1980. The crossing to Mingulay provides great opportunities for spotting marine life such as minke whales and basking sharks. Depending on the local conditions we aim to land on Mingulay and spend around 3 hours ashore. This will give you time to explore the abandoned villages where the communities once farmed, fished and hunted, witness sea birds and enjoy short walks on the stunning beaches. If time allows you can also take a hike up MacPhee’s Hill before returning to your hotel on Barra where you will take dinner overlooking the island’s beautiful beaches. (B/L/D)

Walk details: 4 miles / 6kms – approximately 3 hours

Accommodation in Barra: Local hotel

Day 7 Return to Inverness

After breakfast board the ferry for the 4 ¾ hour crossing to Oban on the mainland. On arrival head north towards Port Appin for lunch overlooking Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker. In the afternoon drive east across the Highlands, arriving early evening back in Inverness. (B/L)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

Private car with English speaking driver-guide
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Any International flights
Any Domestic flights
Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
Meals unless specified

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

This tour is suited to those who enjoy hiking and have reasonable fitness. The walking pace will be comfortable with hikes lasting up to 6 hours. Hikes on this tour vary from 4 to 13km in length with ascents and descents. Most paths and trails are good but may be muddy and rough in places. Please also note that the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times this can make activities more challenging so it is worth being prepared for all eventualities. Your guide may need to alter your itinerary on the day due to local conditions.

On this itinerary you will have your own private vehicle (Ford Custom or similar) and driver throughout. Your driver will also be your guide. Masks are required to be worn when in the vehicle and to maintain social distancing the vehicle has a maximum occupancy of five people (from the same household). The vehicle will be cleaned every day.

It is also possible, should you wish, to undertake this journey on a self-drive basis using your own vehicle or a hire car. We can also assist you with rail or air travel to and from Scotland as well as any additional hotel stays in Scotland or the rest of the UK. Please contact us for further details.

Extend to the island of Harris and Lewis – the most northerly and largest of the Outer Hebrides.