5-Day Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Overview

Available languages

English

120 hours

Mobile ticket

Embark on a Rabbie’s 5-Day Outer Hebrides & Scottish Highlands tour from Edinburgh for an immersive Scottish adventure. This small-group journey offers an authentic experience of Scotland's rugged beauty, rich history, and vibrant Gaelic culture. You'll explore the Isle of Lewis, home to the ancient *Callanish Standing Stones, and the pristine beaches of Luskentyre, often dubbed Scotland's "Maldives" . With knowledgeable guides and comfortable transportation, this tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a deeper connection with Scotland's heritage. The experience includes your an excellent choice of guesthouse (B&B) or 3-star Hotel accommodation in Ullapool, Stornoway and Inverness. Whether you're interested in ancient ruins, scenic landscapes, or local culture, this adventure promises memories that will last a lifetime

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding.

Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately. To ensure that bookings for passengers traveling together are not separated, please inform us if you have multiple bookings.

Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg of luggage (44lbs) per person on our tours; one medium sized suitcase/bag similar to airline standard carry-on luggage (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.

Arnol Blackhouse – We reserve tickets for you. Included in the price of the tour.

Scone Palace – We reserve tickets for you. Included in the price of the tour.

B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property.

Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.

*We're sorry but due to the re-development of Calanais Standing Stones for preservation of the site, we will not be able to visit this location until Spring 2026. Instead, we will spend extra time exploring the beaches on the west of the island. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

Entrance Fee: Arnol Blackhouse

Transport by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes minicoach

Round-trip ferry transport to the Outer Hebrides

Driver/guide

Admission to Scone Palace and Gardens

4 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast

Meals and refreshments: Unless specified

Admission fees: Unless specified

Gratuities

What To Expect

Day 1

Edinburgh - Dunkeld - Loch Ness - Corrieshalloch Gorge - Ullapool

Accommodations

In the early evening, you arrive in Stornoway for your overnight stay.

Dunkeld Cathedral

Your first stop of the day is in the village of Dunkeld. You get time here to stretch your legs and admire the cathedral’s unusual mixture of architectural styles.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Grampian Mountains

You then venture through the shadows of the great and gorgeous Grampian Mountains and stop for lunch at a Highland town in the Spey Valley. Perhaps it’s time for you to try haggis.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve

Corrieshalloch Gorge is a lesser-known Scottish sight, but it’s one that you’ll love. It’s a short walk under forest canopies with a lovely view of a waterfall.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Day 2

Ullapool - Stornoway - Isle of Lewis and Harris

Accommodations

Overnight in Stornoway.

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Stornoway Harbour

After your breakfast, head off to the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Hold onto your beanies, as this headland spot is known as one of the windiest locations in the United Kingdom. You’ll continue to explore the island as your driver-guide makes the most of what weather you’ve been blessed with, taking you through traditional crofting towns and seaside ports.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

The Blackhouse, Arnol

Beach fans will love walking the beach at Port of Ness, and history buffs will adore Arnol Blackhouse*. Here, you can experience what traditional farming life was like in these remote reaches without getting your hands too dirty.

1 hour • Admission Included

Day 3

Stornoway - Luskentyre Beach - Harris Tweed

Accommodations

Overnight in Stornoway.

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Luskentyre

Walk along this phenomenal beach and feel like you’re in the Scottish Maldives.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Harris Tweed Isle of Harris

This area is famous for Harris Tweed and myths that are as strange as they are poignant. Sate your appetite for shopping with a visit to the Clo Mor Harris Tweed Centre.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Day 4

Stornoway - Arnol Blackhouse - ferry to mainland

Accommodations

Overnight in Inverness

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Continue your exploration with Dun Carloway Broch – these unique ruins sit atop a mound of rock on the Isle of Lewis.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Day 5

Inverness - Tominoul - Royal Deeside - Cairngorms National Park - Edinburgh

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Loch Ness

This morning we leave Inverness and head along the shores of Loch Ness. Get your cameras ready just in case Nessie decides to make an appearance.

Admission Not Applicable

Tomintoul

Next you head for Tominoul, the highest village in the Highlands. Sitting on the north side of the Cairngorm National Park, with its central square and 18th-century buildings, Tomintoul is a fine example of a planned village.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Royal Deeside

Head into Royal Deeside, the great valley of the River Dee that runs all the way from the sweeping mountains to the Aberdeenshire coast.

Admission Not Applicable

Braemar

Leisurely lunch (at own expense) in the charming village of Braemar in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. This beautiful and remote village feels like the Highlands of a bygone era. Set amongst majestic mountains, peat coloured rivers and cool dark forests, it’s easy to see why the British Royal Family have made this area their favourite summer retreat.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Scone Palace

From here the route south passes over Scotland’s highest mountain pass, through Highland Perthshire before stopping at Scone Palace, the home of Scotland’s legendary Coronation Stone, better known as the Stone of Destiny.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Options

Hotel Twin Room

Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (2 x separate single beds).

B&B Twin Room

Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (2 x separate single beds).

B&B Single Occupancy Room

Accommodates 1 person in one single en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 x single bed).

B&B Double Room

Double en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 large bed).

Hotel Single Occupancy Room

Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 x single bed).

Hotel Double Room

Double en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 large bed).

Reviews

5.00

6 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A thoroughly enjoyable...
Andrew F,
Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A thoroughly enjoyable trip. Only 5 passengers which made the logistics much easier and the small group bonded well despite very different backgrounds. Had there been a full complement of 16, the bus might have seemed quite crowded. The Outer Hebrides were magnificent and only enhanced by two days of very good weather; really fortunate. Our guide, Stefan, was knowledgeable with a light touch. He drove well, was always prompt and thoughtful. The two guest houses we stayed at were comfortable with very attentive hosts.
Outstanding tour!
Martha F,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sean Gordon was our tour guide, and he did a wonderful job! He was a wealth of historical, geological, and archeological information. I came away with a better understanding of life in the Outer Hebrides. He knows the roads through the Highlands! We toured some truly breathtaking sites. This was my fourth Rabbies tour, and it exceeded my expectations.
An Amazing Experience Through Highlands to the Outer Hebrides
K9886GCjennyh,
Jun 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour fulfilled all my expectations. The Outer Hebrides are beautiful and wild, another world. Keith, our tour guide for five days, made the trip with his information, stories, poetry, and music. The accommodation that Rabbies booked for me was central with good services. There were lots of places to eat in the evening and where we stopped for lunch. I enjoyed the historical sites that we generally got at least half an hour to look at. Be prepared for four weather seasons in one day, even in summer.
Breathtaking scenery
Excursion40298898021,
Jul 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The Outer Hebrides was our third consecutive Rabbies small bus tour. We thank Iain for a beautiful journey. He delighted us with his knowledge of the area, care, captivating stories and knowledge of Scottish history. There were numerous moments when our fellow bus travellers said 'WOW' in chorus taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Rabbies 5 day Outer Hebrides and HIghlands Tour
andysZ7879BT,
Oct 13, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My friend and I took this tour recently. There were only 3 of us on the minibus but the tour went ahead, no problem. Small numbers meant we could have a relaxed and personalised experience. Tour guide was Keith who created just the right atmosphere and balance between information (excellent) and appropriate background music (including introduction to Peat and Diesel!). He is definitely a Class A guide. For those who have "done" Skye already this is the perfect Outer Hebrides tour and Rabbies is the perfect tour company to go with. Well done Rabbies! Well done Keith!
Beyond the Guide Books
H2118HSshirleye,
Sep 26, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Standing on the amazing beaches absorbing the sound crashing waves on the Western Isles is someting that will stay with me till the next time I manage to get back there. Visiting the standing stones at Callanish was a long anticipated experience...it did not disappoint. We had a brilliant tour guide who was engaging, entertaining, knowlegable in all aspects of Scottish life and culture, past and present. It was a very small group and all our whims were catered for. The booked accomodation was excellent.