100% customisable travel idea
Islay, Jura, Barra, South Uist Far from the crowds, the secret Hebrides
Scotland - Loch Lomond - Hebrides - Islay - Jura - Mallaig - Edinburgh
100% customisable travel idea
Scotland - Loch Lomond - Hebrides - Islay - Jura - Mallaig - Edinburgh
100% customisable for you
Touch down in Edinburgh, pick up your rental car and drive west towards Loch Lomond. The capital and its buzz fades in the rear view mirror, giving way to bucolic scenery. Give a passing nod to Glasgow, proud of its title as Scotland’s largest city, before reaching the blue waters of Loch Lomond. Stay for one night just a stone's throw from the lake shore. With the fire crackling gently in the lounge your accommodation is the perfect ambassador for Scottish hospitality. Curl up with a tartan blanket casually draped over your knees and your first glass of whisky in your hand.
It takes more than one simple car journey to reach the Queen of the Hebrides. Drive to Kennacraig, passing through Inveraray and its impressive castle. Arrive at the port and board a ferry to your destination Port Askaig,hemmed in by the neighbouring island of Jura. The last few miles are by car, winding down the coast towards the south-west. Stay for one night in your cosy accommodation that reflects the best of local hotels and hospitality. The bedding is top quality and nods to Scottish heritage are woven into the decor. There is a delicious aroma of homemade cakes and a fire roaring in the lounge. Nothing has been left to chance. The same care goes into selecting the ingredients for the food in the restaurant. Guests can happily take their seats knowing they will be won over.
Renowned for its gently rolling hills and shores lined with golden beaches, Islay has its share of more dramatic scenery at its southern tip, on the Oa peninsula. Down here, dramatic cliffs carved out by the elements conceal coves where choughs, harriers and golden eagles nest. Lighthouses, waterfalls and ruins complete this captivating scene.
On your schedule - Whisky distillery tour and tasting. Islay is inseparable from the reputation of its whiskies, with their characteristic peaty flavour. And while some distilleries have been on the island for several centuries, here the focus is on a "youngster" in the whisky scene. This distillery differs from the rest by managing every stop of the production process, from growing the barley to bottling. The tour includes a demonstration and some whisky tasting, of course.
Going from one island to the other is almost like a leisurely stroll. Islay and Jura are close neighbours and nearly touch each other. Board at Port Askaig and disembark at Feonlin, after a quick crossing. On the short drive to the accommodation you can see if this island feels any different. Stay for one night in an inn that blends seamlessly with the colours of the town. Facing you is the sea, next door is a whisky distillery and on the ground floor, a pub. It hardly gets more Scottish than this. The restaurant serves whatever the catch of the day and other ingredients are produced locally.
Jura takes isolation and nature to a new level. Deer roam freely across the island. A host of different birds have made it their home. The standing stone at Tarbert is worth seeking out. As for the rest it’s all about sea air and walks across the moorland towards the Paps, the local mountains. Be sure to visit Barnhill too, the remote farmhouse in the north where the writer George Orwell lived in seclusion for two years while he wrote his masterpiece 1984. Getting there feels like a bit of pilgrimage in itself. It can only be reached on foot, which requires a 12 km (7 mile) round trip walk.
Back to Port Askaig, then on to Kennagraig, by ferry again. Once back on the mainland, head towards Oban and stop in the small hamlet of Kilmartin which has one of the richest concentrations of prehistoric monuments and historical sites in Scotland. The route then continues north until it reaches the Gateway to the Isles. Stay for one night on the waterfront, in a historic listed building. As you enter, a grand dark wooden staircase, with a cascade of scarlet fabric, seems to lead you to the rooms. Each room has its own distinct style, yet taste and originality are the cornerstones. Breakfast will leave a lasting impression and the restaurant, which is highly acclaimed on the local culinary scene, has a lovely outdoor terrace.
Another day, another ferry. Your base in the port of Oban gives you a head start to get to the Isle of Barra, at the southern end of the Outer Hebrides. The crossing takes a few hours. Close your eyes and you are transported back to the era of great sea voyages. Stay for two nights in the port, Castlebay. From the windows of the charming hotel, there is a stunning view of Kisimul Castle, the harbour, and the islands of Vatersay in the distance. Plush carpets and warm colours create a welcoming atmosphere inside. Naturally, the restaurant specialises in seafood, so make the most of it.
To the west, pretty white sandy beaches are edged by wild grass and moorland. To the east, rugged cliffs have been carved our by erosion. The island also has a few lochs. When it comes to nature, Barra is just as blessed as the other islands in the Hebrides. And in terms of history, it yielded to monks and was attacked by Vikings. Kisimul Castle, sitting patiently out at sea, is from a more recent era, though its exact age is hard to determine.
On your schedule - Kayaking tour around Barra. Kayaking along the rugged coastline is one of the best ways to see the region’s marine wildlife, the birds, seals, dolphins and, if you're lucky, orcas. It’s an opportunity to set sail (again), this time as captain of your own boat.
Today you do some island hopping in the Outer Hebrides. From Barra, another ferry crossing, this time to Eriskay. This small speck of land is connected to South Uist by a causeway that you can drive across. Stay for two nights in a hotel built in 1750, just a stone’s throw from the sea. The building has the white stone walls that are so characteristic of the area. Inside the rooms are simple and neat. The view will cause you to reflect on your journey today. From the window, you can spot Barra and Eriskay.
The two Uist islands are sometimes called the forgotten isles. This, despite the fact that South Uist is the second largest island in the Outer Hebrides after Lewis and Harris. Yet, on this patch of land, life seems to have come to a standstill. As far as the eye can see, there is almost nothing to break the view. The beaches along the island’s west coast are backed by small dunes and machair. Machair is the low lying grassland unique to western Scotland, famously covered in wildflowers during the summer months. To the east, the landscape is dominated by the peaks of Beinn Mhor (620 m [2,034 feet]) and Hecla (606 m [1,988 feet]). The rejuvenating silence that envelops the island is broken only by the whistling of the wind. People come here to experience isolation and the atmosphere of a wild island. It may be far from the crowds, but it’s as close as possible to perfection.
Another ferry journey to reach Mallaig, surrounded by the sea and hills. The crossing lasts a few hours, time for you to bid a wistful farewell to the Hebrides. Back on the mainland, stay for two nights just steps from the port. The hotel is simple and unpretentious and you get what you expect: a good bed, a bathroom, and a Scottish breakfast. It's a stopover really, an ideal base for setting off on the next stage of the journey. The traditional pub attached to the hotel is a heartwarming touch.
Founded in the mid 19th century by a member of the Fraser clan, Mallaig grew quickly because of its herring fishery and the large port connected to the railway network. As these two activities gradually declined, although there are still two smokehouses from this glorious period, the town has added a few more strings to its bow. Tourism, obviously, brings lots of visitors to the town.
Already booked - Tickets for the ferry to the Knoydart Peninsula. Situated between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, this peninsula is sometimes referred to as "Britain's last wilderness". Knoydart is cut off from the mainland road network, so you can only reach it on foot or by boat. It’s a wonderful opportunity to recharge your batteries among the valleys, moors and gentle peaks, and to get away from the world one last time.
Today your journey is back to Edinburgh. The drive to Fort William, follows the famous Road to the Isles, one of the most scenic routes in the country. Be sure to visit Glenfinnan Viaduct, famously seen in the Harry Potter films, and a little further on, make a final stop at one last distillery. When you get to the capital, return your rental car and stay for two nights in a Georgian architectural masterpiece. The rooms are generously sized with a cosy atmosphere, enhanced by vibrant touches of colour, freestanding bathtubs and high ceilings. It’s the perfect place for your last few nights.
On your schedule - Private tour of Leith. This tour takes you off the beaten path to avoid the crowds. In the capital itself there are hoards of tourists. So you head to Leith, not too far from Old Town. Once a port frequented by royalty, Leith has evolved into a cosmopolitan and diverse neighbourhood. The tour takes in all the vibrant shops, cafes, restaurants, Asian supermarkets, hipster pubs and renovated industrial spaces.
Private transfer to the train station or airport and return journey home.
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