Tour the Outer Hebrides with Spirit of Scotland
The Hebridean Islands off the west coast of Scotland are one of the most magnificient collection of islands. The tour below is a tour we arranged for a small group (3) of french VIP's who wanted to see as much of Scotland, away from the usual tourists trail and travel to the end of the world. An exclusive tour to the Outer Hebrides including Harris and Lewis and the archepelago of St Kilda, World Heritage Site for both its natural heritage and cultural significance.
An Exclusive 9 Day Tour of the Hebridean Islands and St Kilda...
Tour of the Scottish Highlands Day 1:
Heading North from Edinburgh stopping for views and photos of the Forth Bridge. We continue through the Kingdom of Fife into Perthshire for our first stop for coffee and a river walk through the Hermitage Forest by Dunkeld. Driving through Highland Perthshire having lunch just outside Pitlochry at the award winning gastro pub the Moulin Inn. After a traditional lunch of Scottish seasfood, followed local game casserol we visited Edradour for a VIP tour of Edradour, Scotland's smallest distillery. Leter traveling through the Cairngorms National and through Inverness, Capital of the Highlands. Just North of Inverness we can have with a short walk to see Rogie Falls, and the Salmon leaping en route our destination for the next two nights, the remarkable Loch Torridon Hotel.
Tour of Applecross Penisula, Shieldaig & Loch Carron Day 2:
After a long day yesterday we had a leisurely start, spending the day touring through Torridon, Wester Ross, Torridon and Sheildaig, with lunch at the famous Applecross Inn for a seafood lunch of locally caught Langostines, scallops, mussels and crab! We then crossed the Beallach na Ba (pass of the cattle)stopping for a dramatic walk along themountain ridge with views of the Isle of Skye, Rassay and Rona to the west. We then visited a local fisherman on Loch Carron who took us for a short cruise to catch some 'queenies' queen scallops,crabs and langostine. Before returning to Loch Torridon we visited Loch Carron weavers for a spot of shopping.
Tour of Wester Ross, Loch Maree, Gairloch & Ullapool Day 3:
Today we were due to take the Calmac Ferry across the minch to the Isle of Lewis to spend the evening at the HebCelt festival in Stornoway! Leaving Torridon behind we had a walk through the nature trail at Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve, Britains first, for stunning views of the Slioch and right down the length of Loch Maree, including the island where St Maelrubha is said to have cure people of insanity . We then stopped for lunch in Poolewe. At this point that we received notice from Caledonian Macbrayne that the ferry was to be delayed. Knowing that the highlight of the tour was the boat trip to St Kilda, a contingency plan was required, incase the ferry was delayed indefinately. We contacted a friend, a local resident on Harris, who also does boat trips around the Hebrides. He arranged to meet us in Uig, on the Isle of SKye, at which point we headed back south through Ross Shire, Loch Alsh, over the Skye Bridge, Portree and met Ruari at the pier. I turned out the Calmac Ferry was cancelled and all trafficwas now being directed to Skye, for a ferry via North Uist and then onto Tarbet, on the Isle of Harris. After a customary dram of single malt we took off accross the minch and round the sound of Harris to Leverbourgh. Cruising accross the Minch we were most likely the only private boat for miles around and coming through the Sound of Harris as the sun went down accros the Atlantic.
Tour to St Kilda Day 4:
An early start this morning as we meet Angus at Leverbourgh Pier, our skipper for the day and the owner of Kilda Cruises. The Achepelago of St Kilda is the reomotest part of the British Isles, now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It is one of only a few places in the world to be granted a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Status for both its for both its Natural and Cultural significance. Thelast remaining inhabitants of Hirta were evacuated at their own request in 1930.
Tour of the Isle of Lewis Day 5:
After a long boat trip to St Kilda, we had a leisurely day travelling around the the Isle of Lewis, the most northerly of the Hebridean Islands and is the site of one of the most intiguing collection of rocks, known today as Callanish. We first visited the town of Stornoway with a walk around the grounds of the castle and the harbour town. Then we drove the incredibly deserted pentland road towards Garenin Blackhouse village for lunch and then watched the weaver making Harris Tweed. Next was a short walk to see the Broch at Carloway, a type of iron age fort unique to Scotland, and this is one on of the best preserved. The standing stones at Callanish, believed to have been erected almost 4000 years ago, still spark debate as to their intended purpose and while theorists continue to argue, the magnificent stones stand the test of time and still have the power to impress us even to this day. In the evening we had a delicious meal at the Skarista House
Tour of South Harris Day 6:
From Leverbourgh, there is a fantastic coastal walk to Rodel, where we visited the old church of St Clements. Harris is one of the most beautiful islands on the outer hebridean islands and also least populated with under 800 inhabitants. It is likey that it will soon be made a national park, which has recieved strong support from locals. Harris has some of the most stunning, and certainly most dested beaches in Europe.
Tour of Isle of Skye Day 7:
Leaving behind the Outer Hebrides by more conventional means, the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry, we arrived back in Uig and explored much of the Trotternish peninsula before hitting Portree for some freshly caught fish and chips. Back on the mainland we stayed in the popular fishing village of Plockton and were entertained with some live music in the Plockton Inn.
Tour of the Highlands, the Great Glen, Loch Ness, Fort Augustas Day 8:
We headed south through Glen Shiel, along Loch Clunie and down Glen Morriston for a walk and obligatory visit to Loch Ness to look for the infamous Nessie! We then had lunch in Fort Augustas and watched the ships sailing through the Caledonian Canal. As this was to be the last night of the tour we arrived early to allow the clients plenty time to enjoy the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, voted best hotel in Europe by Travel & Leisure Magazine 2006.
Tour of Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond & Rosslyn Chapel:
The last day of the trip we travelled through Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and then stopped for lunch at the Drover Inn near Loch Lomond. Established in 1705, and likely last decorated 1706, the famous Inn was used by Highland Cattle Drovers for years, and has been providing highland hospitality for over three centuries. We then drove along Loch Lomond and visited the quaint town of Luss. we then sped back towards Edinburgh with just enough time to visit Rosslyn Chapel.
Thanks a lot, Simon and great to read from you.
The immersion in the real world is definitely very difficult after such an incredible trip.
We love the philosophy of touring, meeting great persons and following perfect plans B !
We will soon also have some photos for you and will send them.
Thanks a lot for everything you made to make our tour the great trip it has been.
Years of experience !
Take care. Alec Raymond, Geneva, Switzerland.
