Outer Hebrides Tour
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Discover the Outer Hebrides on a private journey from Edinburgh, travelling through the Scottish Highlands to Lewis and Harris, with ancient sites, spectacular beaches and distinctive island culture along the way.
Explore the Outer Hebrides from Edinburgh, travelling through the Highlands to Lewis and Harris, with ancient sites, spectacular beaches and island culture.
Expert Chauffeur-Guide
Experienced local professionals who bring Scotland's landscapes, history and culture to life
Private Travel
Comfortable private touring at your own pace, with no groups to share your journey.
Tailored Itineraries
Your suggested itinerary can be adapted around your interests, pace and available time.
Personal Planning
Friendly guidance from your first enquiry through to your final itinerary.
Tour Overview
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
The Outer Hebrides offer some of Scotland’s most distinctive landscapes, ancient sites and enduring cultural traditions. This six-day private journey from Edinburgh travels through the Scottish Highlands to Lewis and Harris, giving you time to experience the remarkable character of the islands rather than simply passing through.
Your suggested itinerary includes the ancient Callanish Stones, the rugged landscapes of Harris, spectacular Atlantic beaches and the communities and traditions of the Outer Hebrides. The journey through the Highlands forms part of the experience, with opportunities to enjoy places such as Glencoe, Loch Ness and Wester Ross along the way.
The itinerary can be adapted around your interests, preferred pace and the time available. A local expert guide can also join you on Lewis to provide deeper insight into the island’s history, archaeology, Gaelic heritage and way of life.
If you are considering a different way to explore Scotland, our Scottish Highlands Tour offers a shorter three-day introduction to the Highlands, while our Mull & Skye Tour focuses on Scotland’s spectacular western islands.
Tour Highlights
Lewis & Harris
Explore the distinctive landscapes of the Outer Hebrides, from the rugged hills of Harris to the open beaches and coastal scenery of Lewis.
Callanish Stones & Ancient Sites
Discover the remarkable Callanish Stones and other prehistoric sites that reveal the extraordinary depth of Lewis's ancient history.
Atlantic Coast & Beaches
Experience the spectacular western coastline, with white-sand beaches, remote coastal landscapes and opportunities to explore the islands at a relaxed pace.
Island Life & Gaelic Culture
Discover the character of the Outer Hebrides through its communities, crofting traditions, Gaelic heritage and distinctive island culture.
Your Outer Hebrides Tour, Your Way
Every Outer Hebrides journey we create is shaped around the people travelling, rather than a standard touring schedule. Our suggested itinerary provides a starting point, combining Highland scenery with the landscapes, history and culture of Lewis and Harris. Your journey can be adapted around your interests, preferred pace and the time available.
Landscapes & Wildlife
Experience the changing scenery from Highland mountains and lochs to the open landscapes, beaches and coastline of Lewis and Harris, with opportunities to appreciate the islands’ distinctive wildlife.
Island Life & Gaelic Culture
Discover the character of the Outer Hebrides through its communities, crofting traditions and Gaelic heritage, with time to experience island life rather than simply passing through.
History & Ancient Heritage
Explore the remarkable history of Lewis and Harris, from the ancient Callanish Stones and prehistoric sites to centuries of island traditions and changing ways of life.
Landscapes & Wildlife
Experience the changing scenery from Highland mountains and lochs to the open landscapes, beaches and coastline of Lewis and Harris, with opportunities to appreciate the islands’ distinctive wildlife.
Island Life & Gaelic Culture
Discover the character of the Outer Hebrides through its communities, crofting traditions and Gaelic heritage, with time to experience island life rather than simply passing through.
History & Ancient Heritage
Explore the remarkable history of Lewis and Harris, from the ancient Callanish Stones and prehistoric sites to centuries of island traditions and changing ways of life.
Suggested Itinerary
6 Days | Edinburgh – Scottish Highlands – Lewis & Harris – Edinburgh
This suggested itinerary provides an example of how a six-day journey through the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides could be arranged. Your final itinerary will be developed around your interests, preferred pace and the time available.
Day 1 — Edinburgh to the Highlands
Depart Edinburgh for Stirling, with a visit to Stirling Castle and an introduction to the history of Scotland’s medieval kings.
From Stirling, travel through the Trossachs towards the dramatic landscape of Glencoe. The route takes you through some of the Highlands’ most memorable scenery before reaching Fort William and the Great Glen.
Loch Ness provides an opportunity to pause and enjoy the landscape before arriving at your Highland accommodation.
Highlights: Stirling Castle · Trossachs · Glencoe · Fort William · Ben Nevis · Great Glen · Loch Ness
Day 2 — Highlands to Stornoway
Head north through the Highlands towards Ullapool, travelling through the spectacular scenery of Wester Ross.
From Ullapool, take the ferry across the Minch to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. After arriving on Lewis, settle into your Stornoway accommodation, with time to explore the town and harbour depending on the ferry arrival time.
Highlights: Wester Ross · Ullapool · Minch crossing · Stornoway · Isle of Lewis
Day 3 — Callanish & Western Lewis
Spend the day exploring western Lewis with a local expert guide, who can provide a deeper insight into the island’s history, archaeology and Gaelic heritage.
Visit the remarkable Callanish Stones, one of Scotland’s most important prehistoric sites, before exploring the surrounding landscape and communities. Depending on your interests, the day could include Great Bernera, the Valtos Peninsula and Ardroil Sands.
Return to Stornoway for a second night.
Highlights: Callanish Stones · Great Bernera · Valtos Peninsula · Ardroil Sands · Western Lewis
Day 4 — Harris & the Atlantic Coast
Travel south from Stornoway into Harris, where open moorland gives way to rugged mountains, sea lochs and spectacular beaches.
Explore the coastline around Luskentyre and enjoy the distinctive scenery and character of Harris, with opportunities to visit smaller communities and places of interest along the way.
Return to Stornoway for your final night on Lewis.
Highlights: Harris · North Harris · Luskentyre · Harris mountains · Atlantic coast · Island communities
Day 5 — Stornoway to the Highlands
Leave Stornoway by ferry for Ullapool, crossing the Minch once more to the Scottish mainland.
The journey through Wester Ross provides opportunities to enjoy the changing Highland scenery and make stops along the way before arriving in the Inverness area for your overnight stay.
Highlights: Stornoway · Minch crossing · Ullapool · Wester Ross · Inverness
Day 6 — Highland Heritage & Edinburgh
Begin the return journey south with a visit to Culloden Battlefield, exploring the story and significance of the 1746 battle.
Travel through the Cairngorms and into Perthshire, with a stop at Queen’s View overlooking Loch Tummel.
From here, make the final journey to Edinburgh, completing your six-day Highland and Outer Hebrides experience.
Highlights: Culloden Battlefield · Cairngorms · Queen’s View · Loch Tummel · Perthshire · Edinburgh
Why Travel with MyUKtour?
Exploring the Outer Hebrides is about more than following a standard route. Our experience allows us to create well-planned journeys that combine Highland scenery, island landscapes and Scotland’s remarkable history, while giving you the flexibility to shape the experience around your interests and preferred pace.
- A Journey Shaped Around You - our suggested itinerary provides a starting point, with the flexibility to adapt the journey around what you would most like to see and experience.
- Expert Chauffeur-Guide - Travel with an experienced local professional who combines driving with knowledgeable guiding throughout your Outer Hebrides journey.
- Local Expertise on Lewis & Harris – A local expert guide joins you on Lewis to provide deeper insight into the island’s history, archaeology, Gaelic heritage and way of life.
- Personal Planning Support – From your first enquiry to your final itinerary, we work with you to create a journey that suits your interests, preferences and available time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our suggested Outer Hebrides itinerary is 6 days, travelling from Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands to Lewis and Harris before returning to Edinburgh. The journey can be extended if you would like to spend longer exploring Scotland.
Yes. This is a private tour for your party, with your own experienced chauffeur-guide and Mercedes vehicle. There are no other guests sharing your journey.
Yes. The itinerary shown on this page is a suggested itinerary, providing a starting point for your journey. We can adapt the route, places visited and pace around your interests, the time available and what you would most like to experience.
The Highlands and Outer Hebrides cover considerable distances, and the journey also involves ferry crossings. We plan the route carefully to balance travelling with time to enjoy the scenery, explore places of interest and make stops along the way. Your itinerary will be discussed with you before the tour is confirmed.
Yes. When exploring Lewis, you will be accompanied by a local expert guide who can provide deeper insight into the island’s history, archaeology, Gaelic heritage and way of life. This complements the knowledge and guidance provided by your chauffeur-guide throughout the wider journey.
Start by sending us an enquiry with your preferred dates, party size and any particular interests. We will discuss your requirements with you and prepare a detailed proposal and itinerary. Your tour is confirmed once you are happy with the arrangements and the required deposit has been received.
Let’s Start Planning Your Outer Hebrides Journey
Tell us about your travel plans and we’ll help you create an Outer Hebrides journey shaped around your interests, preferred pace and the experiences you would most like to enjoy.