Self-drive tour of the Outer Hebrides

Depart Inverness and head toward the west coast. Pass dramatic mountain scenery, enchanting lochs, and castle ruins to reach your hotel on the breathtaking Isle of Skye. After the long drive, spend the evening relaxing in your hotel.

Spend the day exploring the Isle of Skye in your car. Visit the Trotternish Peninsula in the north for striking scenery including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and dinosaur footprints at Staffin and Duntulm. Stop by the main town of Portree and stroll past the row of pastel-toned houses along the waterfront.

Board a local ferry at Uig to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Disembark at the main port town of Tarbert where your hotel is located near the waterfront. Spend the day relaxing after a day of travel, or jump in the car and explore the local area.

Venture into the lunar-like landscape of the Isle of Harris on a day of self-exploration. Visit the Isle of Harris Distillery and sample their award-winning spirits, and visit Harris Tweed shops and museums to learn more about the most famous export of the island. Travel along the Golden Road that hugs the rocky east coast, offering outstanding views of ancient rock formations and fjords. Then journey west to discover the pristine white-sand beaches that can often be mistaken for somewhere in the Caribbean.

Join a local professional wildlife photographer on a private tour of Pairc Estate. An expert in wildlife hotspots, your guide will provide the best chances of spotting species such as golden eagles, red deer, and sea otters.

Take a scenic drive north from the Isle of Harris to the Isle of Lewis. Considered Harris' big brother, Lewis is the largest of the two islands, and, although joined to Harris, has a much flatter and vast landscape. On your way to your hotel, stop by the Calanais Standing Stones and the Arnol Blackhouse. Set against the backdrop of Loch Roag, the stones are a significant Neolithic ceremonial site, and the blackhouse is a well-preserved example of a traditional Hebridean dwelling. Finish the day at your hotel next to a roaring fire in the snug lounge with views overlooking the beach.

Travel to Lewis' main town, Stornoway. This bustling town offers a stark contrast to the rest of the islands and is a great place for some shopping and sampling local delicacies, such as the world-famous Stornoway black pudding. In the afternoon, board a high-speed RIB boat to the remote Shiant Islands, where you'll get up close to the giant volcanic rock formations and abundant wildlife including sea eagles, puffins, and possibly whales.

Depart Stornoway on a local ferry back to the mainland where you will drive to the airport for your flight home.