Compare Whisky & wildlife on Scotland's west coast and islands (self-drive tour) by Audley Travel vs Wild Scotland by Culture Trip
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,995 | $ 3,149 |
| Price Per Day | $ 374 | $ 450 |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 2 Dinners |
| Description |
Our Scottish travel guides reflect the recent findings of our specialists who travel regularly to Scotland to seek out new places to stay and visit as well as imaginative ways of discovering the well-known highlights. The guides give tips on everything from Edinburgh for first timers to the culture and history of Scotland, so that you can get the most out of your time there. Our Scotland specialists can guide you along the way using personal experience and in-depth knowledge on pursuits from touring the region's whisky distilleries or its medieval castles, to exploring the Isle of Skye or hiking through untouched valleys. |
Explore a wilderness of white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters on the northwest coast of Scotland. You’ll venture far from the mainland to discover what it’s like to live on the remote Hebridean islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis. Few visitors make it as far as these isolated isles, so you’ll be able to kayak through secluded inlets and explore nature spots – such as the Fairy Pools on Skye – with hardly another soul in sight. To warm the cockles, there’ll be Scottish whisky tastings, plus a visit to an ancient stone circle, adding another magical layer to this tranquil, Tolkien-esque landscape that feels a million miles from the rest of the UK. |
Day 1: Oban
Make your own way to Oban. Whichever way you're approaching the 'gateway to the isles', the last section of the drive is guaranteed to be a scenic route as you journey through the rugged hills of Argyll. We recommend passing by the ruins of Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, where you can stop to explore and stretch your legs.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 2: Oban
Your three-day wildlife exploration through some of the Inner Hebrides islands begins today. You'll head over to the island of Kerrera with your private guide (who’ll accompany you for the next three days), for a leisurely hike. You'll cover about 11 km (7 miles) over the course of four to five hours, with plenty of time to stop and rest and to explore interesting sights along the way. Lunch is included in a local teahouse.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 3: Oban
Today you take the ferry over to the Isle of Mull, where you'll spend the day with your guide watching for white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, seals and otters. Lunch is included.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 4: Tarbert
With your guide, explore the island of Lismore and the mainland north of Oban by bike today, cycling along easy, quiet roads and bike paths. You’ll learn about Lismore’s history as you cycle, including its role in early Christianity in Scotland. Once you've taken the ferry back to the mainland, we recommend stopping for lunch at the seafood restaurant in Port Appin. You’ll then drive south through Kilmartin Glen to the small fishing village of Tarbert, where you’re well-positioned to catch the ferry to Islay in the morning.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 5: Port Ellen
After crossing to Islay, join a shared wildlife cruise along the island’s rugged coastline, passing hidden coves and beaches as you watch out for seals, porpoises, dolphins and many seabirds. Once back onshore, visit Bowmore Distillery for a tour and tasting. We also suggest visiting Kildalton Cross, an exemplary remnant of an early Christian cross adorned with intricate Celtic designs. End your day at the Museum of Islay Life, where you can learn about the way of life on this rural Scottish island.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 6: Port Ellen
This morning, board the tiny car ferry that connects Islay with nearby Jura — a five-minute journey by water. Jura is one of Scotland's last wildernesses, with only around 300 inhabitants, but over 5,000 deer. Most of the island is inaccessible by road, but you'll join a shared tour with a local to visit some excellent viewpoints and learn about Jura's history. After returning to the main village, visit Jura Distillery for a tour and tasting, before heading back across to Islay.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 7: Loch Lomond
Take the ferry back to the mainland this morning, then drive along the shore of Loch Fyne toward Loch Lomond. Here, you’ll meet your private guide for a kayaking trip out on the loch, enjoying the peace and stillness as you paddle its calm waters, before spending your final evening in Luss, a picturesque lochside village.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 8: Return home
Your west coast Scottish adventure ends today.
Day 1: Arrive in Inverness
Accommodation: Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
Activities Included: Welcome dinner
Arrive in Inverness and checkin to your hotel. If you have time, take a short stroll to the compact city to explore before heading back for welcome drinks at 6pm, followed by dinner and a briefing from our Local Insider, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. Get an early night before your journey to the Isle of Skye tomorrow.
Day 2: Stunning scenery on the Isle of Skye
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel
Activities Included: Guided hike to Fairy Pools
Your journey to the west begins. Look out for Nessie as you skirt the edge of Loch Ness, glimpse the mighty Ben Nevis and spy the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) above Loch Shiel. Cross over from the mainland via a bridge to the Isle of Skye, in the heart of the primeval landscape of the Cuillin mountains. Hike from your hotel past a series of waterfalls to the tranquil Fairy Pools. It’s a tempting spot for a wild swim and, framed by dark, menacing peaks, there’s a showstopper of a view.
Day 3: Marine life around Raasay island and hiking the Trotternish hills
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel
Activities Included: Guided hike to Quiraing
Optional Activities: Raasay Island boat trip
Take your pick this morning. There's a boat ride on offer around the Raasay, an island off Skye known for its distinctive flat-top summit, winding trails and views towards the Cuillins. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins. Alternatively, explore the pretty harbour town of Portree, where you’ll be staying. Cameras at the ready this afternoon. You’ll hike across one of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain – the Trotternish hills. The great ridge that forms its backbone is home to the Quiraing, a vast landslip that has created jagged pinnacles, grassy plateaus and pyramidal peaks.
Day 4: Whisky tasting on the Isle of Harris
Accommodation: Royal Hotel
Activities Included: Isle of Harris Distillery tour,Harris beach tour
Island-hop from Skye to Harris today as you board the ferry from Uig to Tarbert. Visit the Isle of Harris Distillery, where you’ll learn how whisky is made from the local spring water, as well as sample some yourself. After a local lunch, get ready for a tour of the renowned wild beaches on Harris. With miles of pristine, white sand and turquoise sea, this shoreline is worthy of any bucket list. Afterwards, journey to your hotel in Stornoway.
Day 5: Wandering wild beaches on the Isle of Lewis
Accommodation: Royal Hotel
Activities Included: Lewis beaches exploration
Optional Activities: Sea kayaking
Get ready for a highlight today: exploring the beaches of the Isle of Lewis. Sweeping golden crescents of sand are backed by rolling moorland, looking out towards the North Sea. Favourites include Dalmor, a remote windswept spot on the north coast. Alternatively, choose an optional sea-kayaking excursion around the clear waters. In the afternoon, head back to your hotel – you have the afternoon to explore Stornoway at leisure. Walk through the grounds of Lews Castle, built in the mid 19th century, or take a stroll around the harbour – you might even spot a seal, if you’re lucky.
Day 6: Hebridean heritage on the isles of Harris and Lewis
Accommodation: Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
Activities Included: Carloway Mill tour, Calanais Standing Stones visit, Farewell dinner
For your final full day, you’ll get a glimpse of Hebridean heritage at the Carloway Mill, a non-profit enterprise maintaining the tradition of Harris Tweed on the island. Here, you’ll meet skilled weavers working with traditional machinery. Afterwards, you’ll head south to visit one of the most complete stone circles in Europe, the 5,000-year-old Calanais Standing Stones on the west coast. In the afternoon, climb aboard the return ferry to Inverness, where you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and a wee dram before one last sleep.
Day 7: Leave Inverness
Wake to a traditional Scottish breakfast before saying your goodbyes and leaving Inverness at 10am.
