8 Day Tour of Islay, Mull & Skye, Scotland
An 8 day tour taking in the best of the West, from world famous Isle of Islay, a whisky connoisseur's dream, and a trip around the inner hebrides including Mull, the peaceful island of Iona, the dramatic island of Staffa and magical Skye.
From £448 per person
Greentraveller's Top Tips: Choose between Edinburgh or Glasgow as your starting point for this spectacular holiday: both excellent cities with green travel options. Did you know that Glasgow has more green space than any other city in Britain? So why not spend some extra time relaxing in one of the city's many parks. The most well-known is Glasgow Green, home to Nelson's Memorial and the People's Palace Museum, is a leisurely half hour stoll from the Central Train Station. Or if commencing in Edinburgh, why not enjoy a scrumptious meal of local and organic produce at Iglu Bar & Restaurant, centrally located and within walking distance from Waverley Train Station. We also recommend spending some time strolling through the picturesque Royal Botanical Gardens, one of the top green sights of the city.
Overview of Iona, Mull & Skye 8 Day Tour
3 nights in Islay, 2 nights in Oban, 2 nights in Portree
Day 1 includes travelling through Loch Lomond National Park and visits to Inveraray, Loch Fyne and the Kingdom of Dalriada. Here you can visit the Kilmartin standing stones and community museum before catching the ferry to Islay for 3 nights in Bowmore.
Day 2 Your day is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and the famous Islay whiskies - renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. The day’s highlights include the lovely sandy bays of Islay’s west coast, Saligo Bay, Kilchoman Distillery, Machair Bay, the tiny harbour village of Portnahaven, Bruichladdich Distillery and the Islay Museum.
Day 3 Explore the south side of Islay, home to Laphroaig and Lagavulin followed by a tour, tasting and lunch with local produce at Ardbeg. Other options include the ruins of Kildalton church with its famous 8th Century Celtic cross, free time in Bowmore village or a visit to the community craft producers at Islay House Square and the woodlands along the River Sorn.
Day 4 Farewell to Islay as you take the ferry back to Argyll and the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. You will have a free afternoon in Oban to enjoy this bustling and busy highland town.
Day 5 is an island adventure exploring the dramatic southern coastlines of Hebridean Mull and the peace and tranquility of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and traditional burial ground of Scottish Kings. It also gives you the option to take a boat trip to Staffa.
Day 6 takes you north along the west coast, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker and visiting Glencoe. Then on to Fort William, and the dramatic mountain scenery of Glen Garry to Eilean Donan Castle (set of “Highlander”) and over the sea to Skye, where you stay in the picturesque harbour town of Portree for 2 nights.
Day 7 focuses on exploring Skye including the wild north of the island, the Old Man of Storr, the mountain pass of the Quiraing and Skye’s most westerly point at Neist.
Day 8 returns you through the Cuillin mountains to the mainland past the 5 Sisters of Kintail, on to eerie Loch Ness, the central Highlands, Pitlochry and Edinburgh.
What price includes
- Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Merc minicoach
- Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
- Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants & attractions
- Small group for a more personal experience
Location
Plan your journey by train
Meeting point:
207 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PE or Tourist Information Centre, George Square Glasgow
Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Queen Street
Transfer to meeting point:
Guests make their own way to meeting point
Take the Market Street exit from Waverley Station, cross the street and head up the steps opposite until you come out on Cockburn St, which meets the High St (Royal Mile). Turn right and we're on the right at the No.1 Currency Bureau de Change. In Glasgow, the tourist office is just outside Queen St station on George Square.
Plan your journey by train
Finish point:
Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh or George Square, Glasgow
Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Queen Street
Transfer to finish point:
Guests make their own way to station
There are entrances to Waverley Station from Waverley Bridge. You can also be dropped off at George Square, Glasgow, outside Queen Street station.
