Scotland Skye Highlands and Hebrides Photo Tour

Depart from the U.S. or Canada today on an overnight flight* to Glasgow International Airport. Your arrival time can be anytime May 9 (check-in at hotel is 2PM).

Due to the group taking an internal flight to Lewis and Harris on May 10, we have included overnighting May 9 at an airport hotel. This has been included the evening of May 19th as well, therefore your return flight can be anytime on May 20th.

*PLEASE NOTE: Your International tickets will be issued roundtrip to Glasgow. Strabo has included the group flight May 10 Glasgow to Stornoway on Lewis/Harris.

Land in Glasgow today, where you can walk across the street to your hotel (2PM is check-in time), relax, get over jet lag, and prepare for the tour to start tomorrow, May 10th. Overnight GLA airport hotel

The group will return to Glasgow airport today for your internal flight to Stornoway (flight is included). You will be met upon arrival by your driver guide for your journey. The Outer Hebrides are at the northwest edge of Europe, comprised of a one hundred fifty-mile-long chain of islands. Harris divides neatly into three areas and has a different character to the much larger Lewis.
Great Bernera is an island that has been linked to the mainland by bridge since 1953. There are notable archaeological remains on the island consisting of standing stones, and the Iron Age roundhouse Dun Baravat in Loch Bravat. At the southeast corner of Harris is the little township of Rodel. There is a lovely little harbor still used by a few fishing boats, and best known is the St. Clements Church, which is looked after by the Scottish Heritage and is the most impressive example of church architecture in the Hebrides.

One day heading north from our base, we may visit The Butt of Lewis, which is the northernmost point of the island. The sea is always dramatic here, as the waters of The Atlantic meet The Minch. In contrast, the Port of Ness, nearby, is a small scenic fishing port. The Arnol Black House is a Scottish Heritage site where both ‘black houses’ and a ‘white house’ have been preserved as a small museum. White houses were in use well into the second half of the twentieth century, while previously black houses were the traditional home for hundreds of years. Everybody lived in one space with a peat fire in the middle of the floor, while livestock were kept at one end of the house.

Carloway is a large village by Lewis standards, best known for the remains Carloway Broch, a once fortified impressive round stone structure. Heading south from our base at Breascleate, the world-famous standing stones of Callanish are just a few miles away. In fact, there are three standing stone remains at Callanish. The main one is a particularly impressive, well-preserved ancient site, set in spectacular surroundings. We will certainly photograph here in the twilight, as well as by day. Stornoway, on the east coast, is the island’s capital and lifeline to busy harbor life. Overnights Outer Hebrides (B, D; B; B; B)

Take a ferry today from Tarbert to the Uig port on the Isle of Skye. Your guides will take into consideration the interests of the group, and weather conditions to determine the most opportune photo stops along the drive to the lovely town of Portree, your home for the next three evenings. With all the beautiful landscape of Skye, be sure to schedule a few hours to wander around this colorful Scottish village.

The Trotternish Peninsula, which consists predominantly of a long basalt outcrop, giving rise to the dramatic cliff and mountain scenery roundabout. Driving around the “North End” of Trotternish, you will make a number of varied photo stops along the way. Photographing the strange and dramatic rock formations of the Quiraing, along with one of Skye’s best-known sights, The Old Man of Storr. It is a pinnacle of rock, 160 feet high, visible from much of the east coast of Skye.

Located just a few miles south is Loch Fada, which lends itself to photography because of the island situated in the middle of it and the fact that the backdrop is of the mighty Storr – Skye’s highest peak outside of the Cuillin. The best time to visit is when the air is still to have the best chance of getting a clear reflection on the water.

Sligachan is at the crossroads of the island, where you will find the old stone bridge. If there has been a bit of rain recently walk upstream and you may find some attractive rapids and small falls within a few hundred meters of the bridge. Drive a mile up the road towards Dunvegan and you will pass Loch Nan Eilean on your left-hand side. This is an excellent location in still conditions when the water will reflect the mountains. Given time it may be possible to photograph Neist Point late in the day, which is actually the most westerly point you can drive to in the UK. The iconic views are from a cliff top a short walk from the car park. Overnight Isle of Skye (B; B, D; B)

Depart the Isle of Skye today and make your way to the Highlands. Given proper weather conditions you may have an early start with box breakfast to reach the very photogenic Eilean Donan Castle. Continue on with additional photography to your accommodations, set in the heart of Fort William, surrounded by mountains. In the Highlands, the past is all around. Ancient cairns and stone settings, the later brochs (defensive round towers), then the Picts with their mysterious carved symbol stones have all left their faint traces on the landscape. Although the old clan ways have vanished, the Highlands are still a special place and a place apart, enjoyed not only for their unspoiled environment, but also for their particular sense of the intertwining of past and present.

Signal Rock is a pleasant short walk, where in the past, bonfires were lit to warn of imminent danger. From Rannoch Moor there are distant views to the surrounding mountain ranges, Blackmount to the west, and the almost perfectly shaped mountain, Buachaille Etive Mor, the subject of numerous well-known photographs. There are fine views from beside the road at various points, and even better views can be gained with some relatively short walks. The Devils Staircase is a short uphill stretch of The West Highland Way and offering even better views from higher viewpoints. An eleven-mile-long sea loch, Loch Leven, takes us from Ballahullish in the west to Kinlochleven in the east. The loch is fringed to both north and south by steep sided mountains, giving some dramatic scenes. On the shore there is a small harbor originally used by the slate industry; a fine walk along the shoreline provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Overnight Fort William (D; B; B).

You will have additional photography in the highlands this morning as well as photography stops enroute back to Glasgow. Arrive back at your airport hotel in time to enjoy dinner on your own, rest and re-pack for your flight home tomorrow. Overnight GLA airport hotel (B)

Your return flight can be at any time today as you can simply walk across the street to the departure’s terminal at Glasgow Airport. (B)