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:
Isles
of Skye, Lewis, and Harris
May
22 to 29, 2010 · September
4 to 11, 2010
In the north and west of Scotland lie the Highlands -- moody mountains, Celtic mists and legends, heather-clad hills and sparkling lochs, and a unique mixture of scenic splendor and profound
tranquility.
And off-shore lie the Hebrides, a myriad
of magical islands which beckon you ever-westward
to follow the arc of the setting sun as it
slides unhurriedly into the Atlantic.
Two nights are spent on the Isle of Skye
and three on the Outer Hebridean Isle of Lewis.
See the finest prehistoric site in Britain
apart from Stonehenge, enjoy the peace and
quiet of the sandy beaches, and walk through
miles of unspoilt natural beauty.... always
with the comforts of modern accommodation and
fine food waiting at the end of the trail.
Walks cover from 4 to 7 miles daily, with one
10-miler. Elevation gains are modest –-
400’ to 1500’, with one optionally
to 2000’.
Itinerary
 Day 1 Arrive at
our hotel in Fort William, which nestles at
the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain 's highest
mountain. An orientation meeting in the early
evening is followed by our Welcome Dinner.(B)
Day 2 We start
with an exploration of the Moidart region of
the Scottish Highlands. This beautiful area
to the south west of Fort William has especially
close connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie
and the 1745 Jacobite uprising, and we retrace
his route from his first landing point on the
Scottish coast to Glenfinnan, where he raised
his banner and declared himself king. The day
includes a walk by the wooded shore of Loch
Moidart and a visit to ruined Castle Tioram.
We return to Fort William for a second night.(B,L,D) 4 Miles
Day 3 The time
has come to depart for our Hebridean adventure,
but before leaving the mainland we stop by
the shore of Loch Duich to enjoy a short walk
amidst the verdant scenery of Glen Croe. This
is followed by a visit to Eilean Donan Castle,
the ancestral seat of the MacKenzies of Kintail.
Then it’s over the bridge
to the Isle of Skye and our next hotel, on Skye, where the following two nights
are spent.(B,L,D) 5 Miles
Day 4 The day is
spent on Skye, and starts with a short visit
to Portree, the largest town on the island,
for routine shopping. We then drive to the
northern end of the island, with a stop at
the aptly-named Kilt Rock. Our walk leads through
the spectacular rock scenery of the Quiraing, where the contorted basalt outcrops
and pinnacles seem to be frozen in time. Return to the hotel for a second night.(B,L,D) Variable - 4 to 6 Miles
 Day 5 In the morning
we visit Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home
of the Clan Macleod, who also held extensive
lands in the Outer Hebridean Islands of Lewis
and Harris. We then drive to Uig, the embarkation
point for the Western Isles, and take the ferry
to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. Lunch will
be onboard. After arrival at Tarbert we drive
to our hotel in Carloway, on the north west
coast of the Isle of Lewis, our home for the
next three nights.(B,L,D) No Walking
Day 6 Our exploration
of the Isles of Harris and Lewis begins with
the famous Standing Stones of Callanish, one
of the most important prehistoric sites in
the whole of Britain. We then drive to Great
Bernera and enjoy a picturesque walk taking
in stunning coastal scenery, an iron age village and one of Lewis’s finest
beaches, a magnet for brave (or foolhardy) bathers! Overnight at our hotel on
Lewis.(B,L,D) 5 Miles
Day 7 Our final
day is spent amidst the dramatic scenery of
the mountains of Harris. We drive to the tiny
coastal village of Rhenigadal, and walk to
Urgha by a dramatic, though well-built, trail
which for centuries provided the only land
communication between the two villages. After
lunch the walk continues to Maruaig by a trail
which was again originally constructed as a main road linking Harris with the
lowlands of Lewis to the north. Return to the hotel at Carloway for a well-earned
Farewell Dinner, and overnight.(B,L,D) 9 Miles with a 5 Mile option
Day 8 After breakfast
we offer the choice of a transfer to Stornoway
Airport, from which there are direct flights
to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness (and connections
to London), or a return to Fort William (and onward to Glasgow) by our minibus.(B)
Land Cost $3375 Includes:
- 5 scenic guided hikes
- 7 nights' lodging in
congenial Scottish hotels
- Double-occupancy room
with private bath
- All meals included. Dinner on Day 1 and Breakfast on Day 8
- 7 lunches
including one onboard the Western Isles ferry
- All sightseeing visits
and admission fees
- Luggage transported between
hotels
 
“Absolutely loved
the trip and it exceeded my expectations.”
M Purvis Washington, DC
“The walks and
hikes were, as usual, just the right length
and level of exercise. The guides and personal
service were excellent! Superb! Knowledgeable,
friendly and caring.”
B Overcash NC
“This was probably
the best tour I’ve ever taken.”
E Rice GA
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