New for 2008, our latest Island-hopping combination includes the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis, Harris and the Uists, but also, the chance to experience the magic, mystery and austerity of the truly remote St Kilda.

Isle of Lewis

Your Hebridean destination is the Isle of Lewis, reached by ferry from the port of Ullapool. A short drive takes you to your guest house.

Your Hotel
Your accommodation is a perfectly situated, relaxing, and comfortable guest house with stunning views looking out toward the Scottish mainland encompassing the Isle of Skye and the Shiant Islands. Stornoway, the main town on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, is only four miles away.
What to see and do
Lewis is positively bursting with archaeological treasures, notably the eerie Standing Stones of Callanish, the Pictish Carloway Broch and several blackhouse villages. The bustling town of Stornoway boasts a vibrant social scene, where traditional music and crafts thrive in lively pubs, clubs, markets and shops. With its magnificent scenery and spectacular beaches, the Isle of Lewis also offers unrivalled opportunities for hillwalkers, anglers, divers, birdwatchers and wildlife-lovers.

Isle of Harris

Your second base in these outer isles is in the south of Harris, which is part of the same land-mass as Lewis, with your route taking you past some of the most spectacularly beautiful beaches in the country.

Your Hotel
Your hotel is an historic former 18th century shooting lodge, set in a stunning seaside location in a tiny village at the south-eastern tip of Harris. Named after some of the colourful characters who have resided in the house in its previous incarnations, there are just four bedrooms, and all with individually designed interiors featuring comfortable Harris tweeds and original works of art. The latter lend the hotel something of an art-gallery feel and are displayed throughout the public areas too as the ‘Spirit of Harris’ exhibition – a collection of specially commissioned, locally-themed works of art.

Day trip to St Kilda

Your holiday includes a truly magical and adventurous experience – a day trip by specially designed fast boat to the remote archipelago of St Kilda. Spectacularly rugged, forbidding, yet teeming with rare species of plant and bird life, the remote archipelago of St Kilda has fascinated explorers, naturalists and adventurers, keen to discover for themselves its unique history, landscape and wildlife. St Kilda has long been recognised as a wildlife and marine life habitat of world importance. The awe-inspiring landscape, human history, and the sheer remoteness of St Kilda intrigue many.

The islands are a UNESCO Reserve, National Nature Reserve, Ancient Monument and a World Heritage Site due to their environmental importance and scenic beauty. These trips are weather dependent, but will usually run from Leverburgh, Harris, departing at 8am and taking around 3 hours. You will have up to 6 hours in this remote and magical place. You are free to explore the main island of Hirta at their leisure - each passenger receives a map of Hirta detailing points of historical interest, and a suggested route to take for a tour on foot. The church, schoolroom and museum are available and well worth a visit to discover more about the unique way of life of the islanders. The boat will also tour the cliffs and coastline, including the towering stacs, around the islands, revealing the awe inspiring scale of the cliffs and the colonies of sea birds circling high above.
Your vessel, the Orca, is a 42-foot motor cruiser, which cruises comfortably at 18 knots with a top speed of 29 knots. It is fully licensed and equipped for 12 passengers,
Notes on St Kilda
Please note that there is no catering available and passengers must bring food for the day. Tea and coffee are provided free of charge on board. While teenage children are welcome, parents are reminded that St Kilda is one of the remotest locations in the country and are asked to exercise their own judgement. We do not recommend that children under 10 travel, but please contact us to discuss this if you are unsure. Due to the fragile animal and plant life of the islands, strictly no pets allowed.

What else to see and do

With its magnificent scenery and spectacular beaches, South Harris offers unrivalled opportunities for hillwalkers, anglers, divers, birdwatchers and wildlife-lovers. Take a sunset cruise in the Sound of Harris to spot seals, dolphins and basking sharks, and marvel at the sight of golden eagles, cormorants and buzzards swooping down over the uninhabited offshore islands. And don’t miss Rodel’s exquisite 15th century church of St Clement's, with its wonderful medieval tombs and wood carvings.

North Uist

Today you will take the ferry from Leverburgh to Berneray on Uist for your next destination.
Your Hotel
With its stylish contemporary interiors and boutique-style ambience, unrivalled anywhere else in the Hebrides this hotel has fast established itself as the premier hotel in the Western Isles. Each of its eight designer bedrooms offers wonderful views of Lochmaddy Bay and offers a soothing environment characterised by warm, earthy hues, subtle lighting effects and quality modern furnishings. The hotel is set in attractive landscaped gardens and boasts a decked outdoor eating area and a fully-equipped Leisure Club complete with sauna, steam room and gym. The hills and machair lands around Lochmaddy provide inspiration for the restaurant kitchen in the form of heather-fed lamb, deer, game and organic vegetables, whilst the harbour, freshwater lochs and surrounding coastal waters are an abundant source of delicious scallops, mussels, lobsters, crab, salmon and wild brown trout. The main restaurant menu imaginatively reflects these culinary riches, whilst the comfortable lounge bar focuses on more informal, hearty home-cooking.

What to see and do
North Uist offers unlimited access to the interconnected isles of Benbecula, Grimsay, South Uist and Eriskay, all of which are ideal for walking, kayaking, cruising and wildlife-watching. Birdwatchers will not want to miss the RSPB Balranald nature reserve on the west coast – home to thousands of coastal waders and divers. Meanwhile, Lochmaddy itself boasts several unusual attractions, including a camera obscura and the impressive Taigh Chearsabhagh arts centre and museum.

Return Home
You will leave the Outer Hebrides by ferry to Skye or by the longer ferry to Oban.

From £695 per person for departures in May 2008 and from £725 per person for June to mid September, based on two people sharing a double or twin room, for 6 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.

The holiday includes the day trip to St Kilda. As this is weather dependent the exact day of departure may be subject to late change. If the trip does not run during your stay a refund of the excursion fare will be made.

Price includes ferry crossings for two adults and a car to Lewis, from Harris to North Uist and back to Skye. The return to Oban costs an additional £15 per person.

All our holidays include a map of Scotland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £7 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.