Day 1: Early morning departure from North Wales and travel to Gretna Green, the wedding capital of the UK with over 260 years of history and heritage. Visit the Famous Blacksmiths Shop Museum - 'Old Smithy' situated at the heart of Gretna Green village. After some time at leisure, we continue to our overnight hotel in the central belt.
Day 2: Enjoy spectacular scenery on the onward journey as we pass Loch Lomond, Loch Awe and Fort William before crossing from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. We continue north to Uig for the ferry crossing to Lochboisedale on South Uist. Enjoy a 2-course meal onboard. Journey on to the Dark Island Hotel on Benbecula for a 2-night stay.
Day 3: Today's island hopping begins by taking the causeway across to South Uist, where the west coast is a continuous sandy beach while the east is dominated by mountainous peaks. On then via a further causeway to Eriskay. Eriskay is famous for the Eriskay Ponies and is also the real 'Whisky Galore' island. It was just off Eriskay, between Great Todday and Little Todday, that the S.S. Politician ran aground in 1941 with 50,000 cases of whisky aboard. The locals managed to save several hundred cases before the ship sank, providing them with a good supply of their 'Water of Life'. From here, enjoy the short ferry crossing to the Isle of Barra which is considered by many to be the most beautiful little island in Britain. Its tranquil beaches, distinctive culture, where Gaelic is widely spoken, and an ancient history make any visit to Barra a memorable one. Upon arrival, we take a tour of Barra with a local guide. Time allowing, venture across the causeway to stunning Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides.
Day 4: A leisurely morning in Benbecula before departing the hotel for our onward journey to North Uist, via the Benbecula causeway. North Uist is a relatively flat island covered with peat bogs, low hills and lochans. More than half the land is covered by water, making North Uist a birdwatchers' paradise. Board the afternoon ferry from Berneray for the 1-hour crossing to Leverburgh on Harris. Travel up the west coast past numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the Western Isles. The final leg of today's journey is to Lewis and the Cabarfeidh Hotel in Stornoway for a 2-night stay. We have included a packed lunch on this day.
Day 5: Lewis is the most northerly island of the Hebrides and the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. We take a tour of the island with a local guide. Lewis has a history that goes back thousands of years and ancient stone circles and standing stones can be found everywhere. Other sights to see on our excursion around Lewis include the moorland interior, where peat is still cut for fuel, traditional croft dwellings, Carloway Broch, one of Scotland's best preserved defensive structures dating back 2,000 years and admission to Gearrannan Village. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 6: Enjoy the morning free in Stornoway before an afternoon crossing to Ullapool on the mainland, which takes just under 3 hours. Continue to our overnight hotel in the Scottish Highlands.
Day 7: We depart the hotel after breakfast and make the homeward journey to North Wales, we will stop for lunch en-route.