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9 Day Highlands and Hebrides Tour

by robcarr00032

What will we do?

Get ready to be a part of an extraordinary small group 9-day tour from Edinburgh. On our way to the Isle of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides we will take an incredible journey through the Scottish highlands and some of most beautiful landscapes in the country including Glencoe, Fort William, Mallaig, Oban, the Isle of Skye and so much more. This immersive tour promises an exhilarating blend of outdoor adventure like sea kayaking, hiking and boat trips as well as cultural discovery. All of which will be expertly guided for an experience that will linger in your memory forever. Get ready to be captivated by the following tour highlights:

Isle of Lewis Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking on Luskentyre Beach offers a serene adventure. Paddle along the crystal-clear turquoise waters, framed by pristine white sands and rugged hills. Encounter diverse marine life and enjoy breathtaking views of the Outer Hebrides. The calm, sheltered bay is perfect for both beginners and experienced kayakers, promising a tranquil and awe-inspiring coastal experience.

Hike in the Highlands of Scotland

Our Scotland trip explores some of best landscapes the country has to offer through hiking. The routes range from easy through to moderate hikes which are no longer than 4 hours long. They have been carefully selected for their spectacular and varied views. The itinerary includes the following trails:

  • Ben A’an
  • Steall Falls
  • Old Man of Storr
  • Rubha Hunish
  • Ben Tianavaig
  • Fairy Pools
  • Tràigh Mheilein & Crabhadail

If you are concerned about the difficulty of each route please let us know and we will share the route guides with you. 

Scotland Bird Watching

Indulge in the symphony of nature as we search for some of the most sort after birds in Scotland. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic golden eagles soaring overhead on the mainland, ospreys catching their prey and sea eagles along the coast of Skye, creating an immersive connection with the countries untamed beauty. The tour will embark on an epic boat trip to the cliffs of the Isle of Canna where 20,000 seabirds return to mate including the beautiful Atlantic puffin in Scotland.

Explore the Scotland Wildlife

As well as incredible bird life Scotland has amazing sea and wildlife. On land it is our mission as nature lovers to search for the Eurasian otter, the red squirrel and the four different types of deer in Scotland. Once we leave land and embark on the boat trip we will be looking for common and grey seal, dolphins, porpoise, minke whale, basking sharks and more. We are sure you will have a whale of a time!

Visit Castles of Scotland

Immerse yourself in the rich history of these fortresses as you wander their corridors, imagining the lives of clans, royalty, nobles and potentially Vikings who once inhabited their walls. Each castle resonates with stories of battles, legends, and the essence of Scottish heritage. The castles which we will visit are as follows:

  • Kilchurn Castle
  • Finlarig Castle
  • Dunstaffnage Castle
  • Dunvegan Castle
  • Dun Carloway Broch
  • Duntulm Castle

How to Book

Price of the tour: Price of the tour for travelers sharing twin/double rooms is £2,000 (per person) and £2,250 for one person in an individual room. Prices include breakfast, accommodation, ferry crossings, sea kayaking and boat trips. Excludes any optional extras like castles entrances or whisky tours. Want to book the tour contact me directly via [email protected] or whatsapp: +447548132617.

Start – All guests will be picked up from  accommodation between 6.40am-7am

Finish – Approximately 7pm drop at accommodation

How does the acommodation work?

  • All accommodation is included in the tour price and will be booked by Rob Carr Tours.

Where will the overnight accommodation be based?

  • One night in Oban, one night in Mallaig, total of 4 nights in Uig*, one night in Tarbet and one night in Stornoway. 

*Uig accommodation is self catering so Rob Carr Tours will provide a continental breakfast to your individual pod including cereals, bread and jam. All other accommodation has breakfast included. 

Mandatory: Photo ID

Recommended: Travel insurance, small amount of cash, waterproof jacket, trousers, hiking boots, swimwear, towel, insect repellent, gloves, hat, warm clothing, reusable water bottle and power bank

To book this tour please contact me via my email: [email protected] or  mobile: +447548132617.

These terms and conditions, together with any other written information brought to your attention before we confirm your booking, shall form the basis of your contract with Rob Carr Tours. Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly and if you have any further questions contact us immediately.

Booking Process

Bookings can be made via our website contact form at by telephone, by email or contact form. Our online booking system can process payments via Stripe, PayPal and we are also able to take direct bank transfer. We will not issue your booking confirmation until the payment has been processed. For all walking tours full payment will be required at the time of booking (unless agreed otherwise) and for all other bookings a 20% non-refundable deposit. Note that we cannot be held responsible if any tour in which you are interested in becomes fully booked or unavailable prior to full payment being received from you.

Cancellation by You

If you wish to cancel or make any amendments to the tour, please notify us immediately in writing as cancellation charges may apply. Note the date the written communication is sent will be the effective date of cancellation. In the event of cancellation by you, cancellation charges may be payable, as set out below.

Extended Tours

For all extended scheduled tours (tours of one day or more [excluding walking tours]) have a 20% non-refundable deposit at the time of confirmation. The outstanding 80% balance of the tour price must be paid by no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled and confirmed tour departure date. Receipts for all payments will be provided after successful payment has been made. For any cancellations the charges shall apply (depending on the effective date of cancellation):-

  1. cancellation more than 30 days before the tour date: 20% of the tour price;
  2. cancellation between 14 days and 30 days before the tour date: 50% of the tour price;
  3. cancellation less than 14 days before the tour date: 100% of the tour price;
  4. in the event of a ‘no show’ you will be charged 100% of the tour price.

Cancellation by us

Rob Carr Tours reserves the right to cancel tours which experience unavoidable and unanticipated circumstances beyond our control. If we cancel then we will always refund the total amount received from the customer.

Change to itinerary

The itinerary must be taken as an indication of what each Group should accomplish and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Rob Carr Tours. Any changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, delays, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances. It is a fundamental condition when booking the tour described that you accept flexibility of the itinerary and acknowledge that delays and alterations with resulting consequences, comfort or disappointments are possible.

Insurance

There is no travel insurance cover provided as part any of the products sold by Rob Carr Tours. We do not accept responsibility for lost personal possessions and/or luggage on any point of the tour as well as any additional expenses experienced through delays, sickness, weather or other grounds out with our control. Additionally, we strongly recommend to purchase a travel insurance policy covering personal possessions, medical, travel, cancellation etc.

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Testimonials

At the beginning of the year I was lucky enough to secure a spot on a 9-day group tour of the Highlands and Islands with Rob. What drew me to it was that I could tell a lot of research had gone into planning the itinerary, to give travellers an authentic Scottish experience. Expectations were high, but Rob somehow managed not only to meet them - he absolutely smashed them. From some of the most famous places in Scotland to some of its most remote corners, the hikes he chose were simply spectacular and his sense of humour, endless energy and great storytelling meant there was never a dull moment. I liked the choice of accommodation too, particularly the pods on the Isle of Skye. As I look at the pictures we took, and think back to the memories we made, I still have the biggest smile on my face. It’s not just the places I saw (which sometimes made me feel like I’d gone to a completely different world!) - it’s the people I saw them with. Seven strangers who by the end of the trip had become friends, all thanks to Rob. He is so passionate about what he does and went above and beyond to ensure everyone had the best time. I would book with him again in a heartbeat!

Mia

Rob Carr led our team for three brilliant days of absolute bliss and discovery of castles, cliffs, waterfalls and the most breathtaking hikes we have ever done! We had an incredibly fun group and enjoyed the preparation Rob had done to be ready to tel us everything about the places we passed , places we stopped and made beautiful accommodation arrangements for us in each overnight place. He so knowledgeable and fun and funny. He is very organized and looked out ahead of time to make sure the places we wanted to go were passable due to recent weather. He didn’t leave anything to chance, he carefully mapped and timed each days adventure. The Old Man of Storr is permanently etched into our memories along with Portree, the Fairy Pools , Quirang and Glen Coe. Rob is a fantastic communicator and goes out of his way to accommodate his guests, he is charming and fun and we would highly recommend him for your next adventure.

Dayna

Took a three day tour to Skye from Edinburgh with Rob after going on one of his walking tours. I won't be able to capture the magic of this experience properly, so you'll have to go there with Rob yourself! Rob really has a talent of connecting people. As a solo traveller I was a bit nervous to go on tour with a bunch of strangers. He made sure we all connected before the tour started and after day one these people felt like family! Rob is this laid back, funny guy, that is just a pure joy to be around. His love for Scotland will infect you straight away and his excitement for the places, the stories,...unmatched! I loved the pace of the tour, nothing felt rushed or 'touristy'. He'll make sure you're at the best spots before the massive crowds arrive. There were several places where it was just us, picture Fairy Glen, misty morning, it's just you and some sheep on a hill. Magical!

Tanya

Tour Itinerary

Departing from Edinburgh we will head towards the highlands, on the way bypassing the stunning Stirling Castle perched high on volcanic rock where we will learn about William Wallace and the wars of independence. Next up we will weave through the Trossachs national park stopping off at Kilchurn Castle and Glencoe before lacing up our boots and taking on the first hike of the trip (4-5 hours) for stunning views over Loch Leven. Then heading to our first resting place in the heart of the seafood capital of Scotland, the town of Oban.

This day packs in some of the most stunning Harry Potter filming locations. Starting off at the back drop of the triwizard tournament dragon task.  From here you have two choices:

  • 1st Option: Drive to Mallaig via the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Loch Shiel, Dumbledore’s resting place and Arisaig.
  • 2nd Option: Board the Jacobite Steam train to Mallaig you may know this as the real life Hogwarts express (Optional Extra – £57)

After breakfast we will immediately board the ferry to the Isle of Skye arriving into Armadale. We will then weave our way down the single track roads to the beautiful township of Elgol which has arguably the most spectacular views of the Black Cuillin mountains. 

Next up one of the highlights of the whole adventure! We board our sea & wild life boat trip to the Isle of Canna and Loch Coruisk where we hope to see everything from seals and puffins to dolphins and eagles. 

One of, if not the most popular tourist attraction on Skye is the enchanting, 2 hour walk to see the crystal clear Fairy Pools and waterfalls. If you are keen for a wild swim then this is your opportunity! We will then continue down the road arriving first at Talisker distillery where you can take an optional tour and/or tasting session (do let us know in advance to prebook)! The distillery has just launched its limited edition, 44 year old whisky named ‘The Forests of the Deep’ which is part of a partnership to regenerate lost kelp forests.  Last stop of the day is at Dunvegan Castle, home of Clan MacLeod. It is the only house in Scotland to have been inhabited by the same family for over 700 years old . This incredible structure is packed with history from the tales of the fairy flag to battles against Clan MacDonald to the hereditory pipers of the clan chief, the MacCrimmons.

Next up, the 1 hour and 40 minute boat trip out to the Isle of Harris. Once boarding the island we will head straight for a short, steep and wonderful walk up to Ceapabhal. This viewpoint blows your mind with magnificent views over the stunning white sand beaches of the west coast and the outer Hebrides. 

After locating the beaches from above we will head down to Luskentyre where we have the option to take out the inflatable kayak and enjoy the clear blue sea. 

 

Time to take a time machine into some of Britain’s oldest history and discover the Callanish Stones. These stone circles are believed to predate Stonehenge and were used for ancient ritual practices. Next up, Gaerranan Blackhouse village to understand how crofting families on the island would live from the 1800s up until the 1970s. Finishing the day in Stornoway, the most populated town in the Hebrides. There is an option to visit all these locations via electric bicycles. 
Heading back to the Isle of Skye we will stop off at our base accommodation in Uig to drop off our luggage. Before heading off to Portree, the capital of the island for lunch. After lunch we will arrive at the first small hike of the day up to Ben Tianavaig (2-3 hours). This walk has a steady incline along the east coast up to the summit with incredible views over the Isle of Raasey, Portree and the Cuillin mountains.  Drive back to Uig to walk to the falls of Rha and finish the day heading  to the magical Fairy Glen for sunset.  
Day 8 is an amazing day of Skye’s spectacular natural wonders. Another of Skye’s famous walks is to the Old Man of Storr, a 48m pinnacle made of volcanic rock which was created by the Trotternish ridge landslip. Followed by a walk out to Skye’s most northern point at Rubha Hunish where it is possible to spot whales at the right tide.  Followed by the horrible, spooky history at the ruins of Duntulm Castle. Depending on the tide the tour will head to Staffin beach to spot dinosaur footprints This is the last night of the tour and to finish it in style it is proposed to enjoy some fish and chips overlooking the Portree harbour.

The last day of the trip is a 5/6 hour drive back to Edinburgh. Before saying goodbye to Skye we will stop off at the Quiraing, Kilt Rock and Mealt falls, Eilean Donan Castle and Pitlochry.  

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