June 30 – July 7 Sat - Sat
Group Size: 9
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: South Uist 4 nights, Lewis 3 nights
Walking: Easy
Description: The Hebrides experience is one of tranquility and simplicity of rural life. Crofts are managed in the traditional manner preserving important habitats long since lost on the mainland. The machair (coastal pasture) is a blanket of colour, wet meadows flaunt beds of yellow Flag Iris and Marsh Marigolds - ground cover is generally sparse and good for viewing birds.
This is Corncrake country, residence of a bird often heard but seldom seen - its rasping calls interrupting many a summer’s evening. Barra, in our experience, is the best Corncrake destination in Scotland. Hebridean evenings may be tranquil but hardly quiet - a constant cacophony of bird-sound fills the air. Corn Buntings ‘trill’ from telephone wires, Snipe ‘drum’ over marshes, Curlews ‘wicker’ on sheep pastures, while Oystercatchers, Redshanks and Skylarks contribute to the chorus.
The white-sand beaches of South Uist and Barra are foraging grounds for large numbers of waders, while gull roosts often turn up Glaucous or Iceland Gulls. On Benbecula we see Red-necked Phalaropes and in North Uist may expect a raptor show, Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls and Merlins being the star performers.
Harris and Lewis introduce dramatic scenery where Golden Eagles often present the best views of the season, also White-tailed Eagles. We have twice been privileged to find a resident Snowy Owl – the photograph on the opposite page having been taken during our July 2011 tour.
Wildlife aside the Outer Hebrides island system is positively the most magical place in the UK, offering total escape from mainstream living and therapy for the soul – absolutely not to be missed.
Itinerary
Days 1 - 4 Sat - Tue: Morning rendezvous in Inverness followed by journey to Uig on the Isle of Skye for the 14:00 ferry to Lochmaddy (1 hr 45 mins) on North Uist. Exploration of The Uists and Barra.
Days 5 - 7 Wed - Fri: Cross by ferry to Harris; explore Harris and Lewis.
Day 7 Sat: Midday we take the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. The tour finishes on arrival in Inverness early evening, with transfers provided to accommodation or transport terminals.
Cost: £1080...Includes: Accommodation, all meals plus packed lunches, all travel.
Deposit: £100
Single Room Supplement: £80
