Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Special interest |
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| Country |
United Kingdom |
| Travel type |
Coach |
| Price range | From £395 |
| Travel partner | Brightwater Holidays |
| Duration | 5 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6701 |
Skye, Rasay and the Small Isles
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The Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna lie to the south of Skye in the clean, clear waters of the Hebridean Sea. Each island is small, yet completely different and offers the chance to escape from the cares and worries of modern, mainland life. We will visit the two largest, Rum and Eigg, and experience something of the magic of life on a small island. Bought by the Nature Conservancy Council (now Scottish Natural Heritage) in 1957, Rum is one of Scotland's finest National Nature Reserves, of international importance for many of its plants, habitats and birds. Here we will have a guided tour of Kinloch Castle, an extravagant Edwardian dream, which was featured in the BBC 'Restoration' competition in 2003. Eigg is the second largest in the Small Isles group after Rum, with a distinctive outline provided by a sloping ridge of lava known as the Sgurr which runs down the island like the backbone of some prehistoric creature. In June 1998 the islanders took possession of the island for themselves and we will learn how they cope with the resulting challenges. There will also be an opportunity to walk to the Singing Sands of white quartz, a little piece of paradise on the north-west of the island. We sail to these islands on the MV Shearwater, with the possibility of sighting porpoises, dolphins and whales during the hour-long passage from Arisaig.
Our tour begins with a journey that takes us through some dramatic scenery, from the haunting valley of Glencoe, by ferry across the Corran Narrows to the wild and mountainous landscape of Sunart and Moidart. To complete our tour we will sail from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, which has a romantic history and a scenic beauty all of its own. It is particularly famous for its mountain scenery, and although the peaks are often obscured by a veil of mist, the resulting magical, haunting effect stays long in the memory. We will visit Dunvegan Castle, which has been home to the chiefs of MacLeod since the 13th century. Amongst the many priceless relics on display is the Fairy Flag, the sacred banner which is said to bring good luck to the clan. After a scenic drive around Trotternish, the hauntingly beautiful northern peninsula, we will have some time in Portree, the epitome of a Hebridean port. We also visit the island of Raasay, unspoilt and sparsely populated, with ruined castles, Pictish symbol stones and abundant wildlife, and Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, with its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich.
Our tour begins with a journey that takes us through some dramatic scenery, from the haunting valley of Glencoe, by ferry across the Corran Narrows to the wild and mountainous landscape of Sunart and Moidart. To complete our tour we will sail from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, which has a romantic history and a scenic beauty all of its own. It is particularly famous for its mountain scenery, and although the peaks are often obscured by a veil of mist, the resulting magical, haunting effect stays long in the memory. We will visit Dunvegan Castle, which has been home to the chiefs of MacLeod since the 13th century. Amongst the many priceless relics on display is the Fairy Flag, the sacred banner which is said to bring good luck to the clan. After a scenic drive around Trotternish, the hauntingly beautiful northern peninsula, we will have some time in Portree, the epitome of a Hebridean port. We also visit the island of Raasay, unspoilt and sparsely populated, with ruined castles, Pictish symbol stones and abundant wildlife, and Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, with its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich.
Included
- 3 nights dinner, bed and full breakfast at the comfortable West Highland Hotel, Mallaig;
- 2 nights dinner, bed and full breakfast at the comfortable Balmacara Hotel, Balmacara (or similar)
- Comfortable coaching throughout
- All ferry crossings
- Visits to Glencoe Visitor Centre; Eigg and Rum including a guided tour of Kinloch Castle; Dunvegan Castle and tour of Trotternish and Portree; Raasay and Eilean Ban; Eilean Donan Castle
- Services of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager
Day 1
We depart from our designated pick up points and travel north, taking a particularly scenic route. After a visit to the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre at Glencoe, where there will be an opportunity for lunch (not included), we take the ferry across the Corran Narrows on Loch Linnhe and pass through the mountainous landscapes of Sunart and Moidart. We will stop for a brief look at the romantic ruins of Castle Tioram, situated on the rocky tidal island Eilean Tioram (the Dry Island) where the waters of Loch Moidart and the river Shiel meet. We continue to our hotel in Mallaig where dinner will be served.
Day 2
After our breakfast we depart for the nearby harbour at Arisaig where we join the MV Shearwater for our sailing to Rum, where we will have a guided tour of Kinloch Castle, the extravagant Edwardian mansion built by wealthy industrialist George Bullough in 1900. We then sail back to Arisaig and return to our hotel. Dinner is served in the evening.
Day 3
After our full Scottish breakfast we return to Arisaig and board the Shearwater once again. This time for our hour-long sailing to Eigg. As we sail past the islets that protect the harbour look out for otters and seals, and for porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales further out. On arrival on Eigg we hope to be met by a representative of the island?s Heritage Trust who will explain how they have worked at sustaining a viable way of life since taking possession of the island in 1997. Thereafter we will be free to relax and explore the island at leisure. There is a tearoom and small shop by the pier and you may also wish to walk to the famous Singing Sands, the sparkling beaches of white quartz sand which lie about a mile from the pier to the north west. At around 5.00pm we sail back to Arisaig and return to our hotel. Dinner is served in the evening. (For those who really wish to get away from it all, instead of landing on Eigg you have the option of continuing on the Shearwater to the small but fertile island of Muck for a small supplement. You have three hours ashore to explore the island on your own before returning to Eigg to sail with the rest of the group back to Arisaig.)
Day 4
Today we have a long but most rewarding day. After breakfast we check out of the hotel and transfer to Mallaig in time for the short ferry crossing to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. We will then depart for Dunvegan Castle, the ancient home of the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod. Amongst the many priceless relics on display is the Fairy Flag, the sacred banner which is said to bring good luck to the clan. Following our visit here we depart on a scenic drive around Trotternish, Skye's most northerly peninsula, which contains within its narrow confines a barren, haunting environment studded with fantastic basaltic formations and ancient settlements. We will then spend some time in the island's chief town and port, Portree. The name comes from the Gaelic for 'king's port' and refers to the time in 1540 when James V sailed here to win over the Skye chieftains. White and colour-washed houses ring the harbour to create the epitome of a Hebridean port. We will also visit the Aros Centre, an arts and heritage centre with information, shops and forest walks. We return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge and continue to our hotel at Balmacara in time for dinner.
Day 5
After breakfast today we return to Skye and make the short ferry crossing from Sconser to the island of Raasay. Just over 14 miles long, with a third of the island over 500 feet above sea level, Raasay, the 'Roe-Isle', has had its fair share of joy and sorrow, and paid dearly for a visit from Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. We begin with a tour to the northern end of the island: highlights include the picturesque ruin of 15th century Brochel Castle, once an impressive structure which was impregnable from the sea, and Calum's Road, named after the indefatigable Calum MacLeod, who planned and built the road single-handedly after the council repeatedly turned down his request for an extension to the road to his house. Completed in eight years, it is said he wore out 11 wheelbarrows and 60 pairs of boots in the process. We will take the ferry back to Sconser where we will enjoy a stop for lunch (not included). We will then stop in Kyleakin where we will be met by a key holder to Eilean Ban, the last home of author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell. We will walk halfway back over the bridge to gain access to the island as the Skye Bridge now straddles Eilean Ban. The small house is now a museum to Gavin Maxwell with many interesting mementoes of his time spent there. Following the visit we will return to the hotel where dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 6
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and begin our homeward journey, which we will break with a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. This must be one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, with its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich. The beginnings of Eilean Donan Castle reach back into the early mists of time - evidence of a pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations, some of which has been kept for visitors to see. We will have time to learn all about the castle's dramatic past before we recommence our journey, arriving back at our original pick-up points during the evening.
We depart from our designated pick up points and travel north, taking a particularly scenic route. After a visit to the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre at Glencoe, where there will be an opportunity for lunch (not included), we take the ferry across the Corran Narrows on Loch Linnhe and pass through the mountainous landscapes of Sunart and Moidart. We will stop for a brief look at the romantic ruins of Castle Tioram, situated on the rocky tidal island Eilean Tioram (the Dry Island) where the waters of Loch Moidart and the river Shiel meet. We continue to our hotel in Mallaig where dinner will be served.
Day 2
After our breakfast we depart for the nearby harbour at Arisaig where we join the MV Shearwater for our sailing to Rum, where we will have a guided tour of Kinloch Castle, the extravagant Edwardian mansion built by wealthy industrialist George Bullough in 1900. We then sail back to Arisaig and return to our hotel. Dinner is served in the evening.
Day 3
After our full Scottish breakfast we return to Arisaig and board the Shearwater once again. This time for our hour-long sailing to Eigg. As we sail past the islets that protect the harbour look out for otters and seals, and for porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and minke whales further out. On arrival on Eigg we hope to be met by a representative of the island?s Heritage Trust who will explain how they have worked at sustaining a viable way of life since taking possession of the island in 1997. Thereafter we will be free to relax and explore the island at leisure. There is a tearoom and small shop by the pier and you may also wish to walk to the famous Singing Sands, the sparkling beaches of white quartz sand which lie about a mile from the pier to the north west. At around 5.00pm we sail back to Arisaig and return to our hotel. Dinner is served in the evening. (For those who really wish to get away from it all, instead of landing on Eigg you have the option of continuing on the Shearwater to the small but fertile island of Muck for a small supplement. You have three hours ashore to explore the island on your own before returning to Eigg to sail with the rest of the group back to Arisaig.)
Day 4
Today we have a long but most rewarding day. After breakfast we check out of the hotel and transfer to Mallaig in time for the short ferry crossing to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. We will then depart for Dunvegan Castle, the ancient home of the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod. Amongst the many priceless relics on display is the Fairy Flag, the sacred banner which is said to bring good luck to the clan. Following our visit here we depart on a scenic drive around Trotternish, Skye's most northerly peninsula, which contains within its narrow confines a barren, haunting environment studded with fantastic basaltic formations and ancient settlements. We will then spend some time in the island's chief town and port, Portree. The name comes from the Gaelic for 'king's port' and refers to the time in 1540 when James V sailed here to win over the Skye chieftains. White and colour-washed houses ring the harbour to create the epitome of a Hebridean port. We will also visit the Aros Centre, an arts and heritage centre with information, shops and forest walks. We return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge and continue to our hotel at Balmacara in time for dinner.
Day 5
After breakfast today we return to Skye and make the short ferry crossing from Sconser to the island of Raasay. Just over 14 miles long, with a third of the island over 500 feet above sea level, Raasay, the 'Roe-Isle', has had its fair share of joy and sorrow, and paid dearly for a visit from Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. We begin with a tour to the northern end of the island: highlights include the picturesque ruin of 15th century Brochel Castle, once an impressive structure which was impregnable from the sea, and Calum's Road, named after the indefatigable Calum MacLeod, who planned and built the road single-handedly after the council repeatedly turned down his request for an extension to the road to his house. Completed in eight years, it is said he wore out 11 wheelbarrows and 60 pairs of boots in the process. We will take the ferry back to Sconser where we will enjoy a stop for lunch (not included). We will then stop in Kyleakin where we will be met by a key holder to Eilean Ban, the last home of author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell. We will walk halfway back over the bridge to gain access to the island as the Skye Bridge now straddles Eilean Ban. The small house is now a museum to Gavin Maxwell with many interesting mementoes of his time spent there. Following the visit we will return to the hotel where dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 6
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and begin our homeward journey, which we will break with a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. This must be one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, with its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich. The beginnings of Eilean Donan Castle reach back into the early mists of time - evidence of a pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations, some of which has been kept for visitors to see. We will have time to learn all about the castle's dramatic past before we recommence our journey, arriving back at our original pick-up points during the evening.
West Highland Hotel, Mallaig;
Balmacara Hotel, Balmacara
Balmacara Hotel, Balmacara
This holiday is booked by phone. Click 'book now' to make a reservation request to our travel partner who will call you back to confirm your booking details and take payment. To speak to a representative now please call 0330 333 6701.
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