August 2 - 8 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 8
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Carloway
Walking: Easy
Description :
Lewis and Harris are in fact the respective northern and southern aspects of a single island, separated by an imaginary line drawn between Lochs Seaforth and Resort. Much of Lewis lies under a uniform blanket of peat, rising to meet the treeless, mountain deer-forests of Harris. Crofting has had a softening effect on peripheral areas, with the interior, especially in the south, remaining barren and inhospitable.
Peat bogs are ecologically rich environments, host to bird-life such as Greenshanks, Dunlins, skuas and Merlins, with lochs populated by Red-throated and Black-throated Divers. An indented craggy-coastline, along which single-track roads negotiate awkward contours, founds the charm of south-east Harris. The route meanders through small crofts, past heather-clad ground where peats are stacked to dry, and by numerous lochs on which White Water Lilies flower. By contrast the western seaboard phases from the interior ‘moonscape’ to bays of unblemished sands and aqua-marine seas, with the Flannan Isles and even St Kilda visible on clear days. Changing moods in landscape, effected by sea reflections, mountain backdrops and light-shafts beaming down through cloud cover, are the essence of this brooding but magnificent island system. Timing of the tour catches the machair at its most colourful. Hebridean Spotted, Northern Marsh, Pyramidal and Frog Orchids, also Lesser Twayblade, are among wild flowers seen. This is also a good time for cetaceans in the Minch - subject to adequately calm seas it would be extremely surprising not to see a Minke Whale or dolphin break the surface.Itinerary
Day 1 Sat...09:00 Departure:
Travelling via Glen Shiel we head for Uig on Skye, boarding the 18:00 ferry for Tarbert on Harris (1 hour 35 mins.). Frequent stops are made to look at wildlife en route, and from the ferry we can expect to see Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Puffin, Razorbill, Common Guillemot, Great and Arctic Skuas, and hopefully cetaceans: Minke Whale and Harbour Porpoise. Our excellent hotel at Carloway in West Lewis is reached after a one-hour drive.
Days 2 - 6 Sun - Thu:
South-west Harris features some of the most beautiful beaches found in the Hebrides. On tidal flats at Lusskentyre our scopes pick out waders including Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Whimbrel, and along beaches by the Sound of Taransay Sanderlings and Dunlins are seen. Fishing Gannets appear offshore, with likelihood of large Eider numbers, a few Common Scoters and maybe a Great Northern Diver.
The east-coast route meanders around picturesque bays where we look for Otters, see Rock Doves and Twites around crofts, also visiting a weaver.
Mountain terrain is checked for Golden Eagles (White-tailed Eagle also possible), Black-throated Divers are seen in moorland lochs and Dippers show on fast-flowing streams. Crossing the expansive peatlands of Lewis Merlins and Golden Plover are target birds.
At the dramatic headlands of Gallan and Mangersta we walk out to sea-beaten cliffs where Fulmars and Ravens ride the updraughts. On clear days the Flannan Isles and St Kilda (20 and 40 miles resp. from the Hebrides) are sometimes visible from this point. Red-throated Divers, Rock Pipits and Wheatears are among birds encountered.
The antiquities of Lewis: - the imposing standing stones of Callanish and Pictish Broch at Carloway - are visited on our way to the Butt of Lewis. The headland itself is an excellent spot from which to watch seabirds, plus migrants and cetaceans. Small lochs in the area often attract scarce gulls and waders.
Day 7 Fri:
A visit to North Tolsta concludes our exploration of Lewis - a skua colony visited en route - with option for interested parties to be dropped off for a visit to Stornoway, before we board the midday ferry to Ullapool (2 hours 40 mins.). Sooty Shearwater and Storm Petrel are the main birds targeted during this crossing, with a last chance to spot Basking Sharks or cetaceans.
The tour finishes on arrival at Inverness (about 18:00) with transfers provided to transport terminals or accommodation.
Cost: £840...includes:
Six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; all excursions including transfers to and from transport terminals/accommodation.