Hiking the Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye
Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Overview
In Scotland's realm of mist-shrouded crags and heathered moors, we've crafted a hiking trip from the legendary Isle of Skye to the wild seascapes of the Outer Hebrides, a haven of Scottish Gaelic culture on the outer edge of Europe. Our trails bring us to the glistening lochs of Glen Affric, the sandy beaches of Harris, and among the pinnacles of the Quiraing, a geological wonder and an icon of Scotland. Between hikes, we'll be welcomed into the culture as we meet a tweed weaver, listen to a seanchaidh (storyteller), sample fresh scallops, sip fine single-malt whisky, and hear tales of the Campbell and MacDonald clans.
Arrive: Inverness, Scotland
Depart: Inverness, Scotland
Highlights
- Hike along Loch Ness and in the Caledonian pine woods of Glen Affric
- Enjoy magnificent hotels, including Coul House, set on an ancient estate
- Meet a traditional weaver, hear a local storyteller, taste local whiskies
- Discover the wild landscapes of the Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye
- Gaelic legends, sweeping seascapes, and stunning rock pinnacles of the Quiraing
- Walk amid the Callanish Standing Stones, older than Stonehenge
Itinerary
Our hikes bring us along Loch Ness, where we keep an eye out for Nessie, and into beautiful Glen Affric, with its ancient Scots pine forest. One evening, we'll be entertained by a local storyteller—storytelling is a beloved Scottish tradition.
On the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, we hike along coastal cliffs to a village of thatched houses, then end our day at the Callanish Standing Stones, older than Stonehenge, which we can approach on foot—no fences! On the Isle of Harris, beaches and mountain tracks offer us fantastic hikes, and we visit a Harris tweed weaver. Fine gin and whisky are created on Harris and we'll sample some of the best.
The Isle of Skye is a world of jagged mountain peaks and towering sea cliffs. We hike among the incredible rock pinnacles of the Quiraing, a place of wonder and amazement, and into the mysterious Black Cuillins, which rise straight out of the sea.
On our last day on Skye, we ferry out to the Isle of Raasay for a hike amid the island's breathtaking beauty, including iconic Dun Caan mountain and the picturesque ruins of Brochel Castle. Offshore, otters and seals play and hunt, and dolphins are regular visitors. Depart on Day 9 via the graceful Skye Bridge, with a photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle en route to Inverness.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 3+, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 5.5 miles a day, being on your feet for 7 hours a day, and hiking on uneven surfaces including downhill over loose scree. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 4-5 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 1,000 feet gain/loss
- Day 7: 5.5 miles, 5 hours, 2,000 feet gain
While many of the hikes follow recognized trails, they are not “groomed” and can feel quite rugged. There are sections that can be muddy and have loose rocks, but no scrambling is required. As is common in Scotland, we may hike off-trail where the terrain allows. Many hikers prefer to use trekking poles on the less groomed sections.
Even in the summer, Scotland is famous for its changeable weather. It is necessary to pack in preparation for cold rain, persistent fog, mist, and beautiful, sunny weather. The rule here is to be prepared for any eventuality by creating a layering system that takes you from shorts to warm rain gear, including waterproof pants. Note that waterproof ponchos are NOT recommended for hiking in Scotland, as the wind makes them less efficient.
Our accommodations are in small, quaint hotels that have been selected for their local history and charm. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Wifi is often spotty and limited. Air conditioning is not common, but it is rarely needed. Our hotel in Tarbert can be noisy as it is located near town, so bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Lunches will either be at local cafes or a packed lunch during one of our hikes. Packed lunches typically include sandwiches, fresh fruit, snack bars, and other Scottish specialties like oatcakes and cheese. Cafes usually offer soups, sandwiches, and paninis. Dinners will be at a local restaurant or at the hotel. Please also note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"What a wonderful area of the world. It was great to meet so many of the locals and be introduced to weavers, shepherds, and archaeologists."
Barry W.
Elkins, NH
"A wonderful trip that I would do again."
Bob S.
Half Moon Bay, CA
"Scotland was a destination we had been hoping Wilderness would bring back and you did, but with an even better itinerary! Just spectacular scenery and a wonderful guide."
Carol L.
Kalispell, MT
"This was an excellent trip with a creative, well-planned itinerary that minimized the amount of time in travel, yet covered quite a bit of territory and offered great hiking opportunities throughout. The food and restaurant selections were excellent, with a focus on local cuisine, and the Glencoe House in particular was nothing short of amazing!"
Clarissa M.
Tucson, AZ
"Superb trip, great itinerary, tremendous variety!"
David M.
Portola Valley, CA
"A wonderful trip and an excellent and varied way to see all the variations of the beauty of Scotland, from woodlands and lochs to windswept grass dunes and beaches, to majestic mountainous glory...plus the towns, restaurants, and inns gave us the perfect amount of comfort at the end of every exerting day!"
Elizabeth H.
Key Largo, FL
"I loved the trip. The scenery was spectacular. The guides took us on amazing hikes I never would have planned or found on my own."
Herbert G.
Knoxville, TN
"This is my 8th trip with Wilderness Travel and is the best trip yet."
Jim G.
Mercer Island, WA
"We enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the storyteller, piper, weaver, and artist. Those were good chances to experience the local culture one on one and something we might have missed if we were on our own."
Jim R.
San Diego, CA
"A beautiful country, wonderful hikes, and great trip leaders."
Kim S.
Half Moon Bay, CA
"This was my 5th Wilderness Travel trip and it rates #1! VERY engaging itinerary and the best group leader team I've experienced. I hope that future Wilderness Travel clients can have as satisfying an experience and as much fun as I did."
Lew G.
Mercer Island, WA
"An outstanding trip, start to finish. We especially loved the variety of hikes; the terrains were so different and interesting. The other highlight was the constant parade of Scottish figures that we were introduced to. From the storyteller to the weaver to the artist to the accordian player, they were a delight and we learned so much from them; they added a huge cultural dimension. The whole trip was totally up to WT standards, as usual, and Glencoe House was over the top amazing. Thank you!"
Nancy and Tom F.
Sarasota, FL
"Great itinerary. The variety of accommodations was excellent. The Glencoe House was an amazing way to finish the trip. What an experience!"
Richard H.
Durham, NH
"The trip exceeded my expectations. The trip leaders as well as the other clients made it an exceptional experience."
Tom N.
Pittsburgh, PA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
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- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.