The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Explorer: Lewis and Harris

The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Explorer: Lewis and Harris

This Outer Hebridean cruise (10 nights) wanders through the Northern Outer Hebrides on the outer edge of the Atlantic Ocean. We visit the remote and stunning isles of Lewis and Harris which, despite being usually referred to as two separate islands, are in fact connected.

In this cruise we will discover Scottish island traditions, heritage and history such as standing stones, brochs, blackhouses and ancient churches.

We will marvel at soft white sandy beaches with their shallow, turquoise waters, that are so much in contrast with the steep and ragged sea cliffs, and mysterious, deep sea lochs.

The wildlife  in these pristine and remote islands is rich and varied above and below the waves. We see basking sharks, minke whales, orcas, dolphins, otters, seals, red deer and both sea and golden eagles.

Included in the cost of the cruise is a tour to the Callanish Standing Stones and the traditional Arnol Blackhouse, via a spectacular white sandy beach (perhaps the beach of Luskentyre voted one of the top five world’s best beaches – or a similar beach).

Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies.  

If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as visiting standing stones or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request. Excursions and visits ashore are at your own cost.

Some of the places we may visit are:

Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebridean Isles with its famous whisky distillery and colourful waterfront. You can wander along the streets, visit the delightful local museum, perhaps watch a pipe band, admire the wooden fishing boats and take in the long history of this lovely village.

Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands.  Its 200 metre high cliffs of Compass Hill rise dramatically out of the sea and we have a good chance of seeing both sea and golden eagles. A stroll ashore to see the puffins and wild flower meadows of Sanday's Machair is a pure delight.

Lochmaddy: Situated on North Uist, Lochmaddy is the island’s main village. The village was probably settled by the Norse and at one time was a base for seventeenth century pirates!

Harris: We will anchor in East Loch Tarbert, an island-studded, wide sea loch. There is a possible anchorage off the scenic isle of Scalpay which joins Harris by a unique bridge. We can organise a visit to the spectacular white sandy beach of Luskentyre, voted one of the top five world’s best beaches. We can then continue on to the fifteenth-century Church of Rodel and finish with a dramatic drive along the famous south-east coast road, known as the Golden Road due to the high cost of its construction!

Lewis: We will travel further North and anchor near Stornoway which is the famous capital of the archipelago of Lewis and Harris. From here we can visit the 5,000 year old, world-famous, Callanish Standing Stones. We can also visit an Iron age house dating back to c. 600 AD which was only recently discovered after a storm. There are also the traditional Arnol Blackhouse and the well preserved Carloway Broch to visit.

Loch Torridon: This loch takes us deep into the breath-taking mountain scenery of North West Scotland.

Plockton: A most picturesque Scottish Highland village with a natural harbour and wonderful views of Loch Carron. This picture postcard village was famously part of the Hamish Macbeth TV series. 

Loch Nevis via east coast of Skye: Another spectacular sea loch that runs inland from the Sound of Sleat. Surrounded by mountains and is one of the remotest sea lochs in Scotland. On the way we can plan to visit famous attractions on the east coast of Skye such as the Torabhaig Distillery or Armadale Castle. 

Loch Drumbuie: Just south of Oronsay is secluded Loch Drumbuie, situated between the island and the mainland. A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage.