| Leaders | Craig Round and Simon Eaves |
| Day 1 | Meet in Inverness for overnight stay - 1 night at Premier Inn. |
| Days 2-3 | Travel south west to Oban to catch
the ferry to Barra.
Birding and wildlife exploration of Barra - 2 nights at Castlebay Hotel. |
| Days 4-7 | Ferry crossing from Barra to Eriskay
Birding and wildlife exploration on
Berneray, North Uist, Benbecula,
South Uist and Eriskay - 4 nights at Orasay Inn |
| Days 8-11 | Ferry to Leverburgh. Birding and wildlife
exploration around Lewis and Harris - 4 nights at Caladh Inn. |
| Day 12 | Ferry crossing from Stornoway to
Ullapool then journey back to Inverness - 1 night at Premier Inn. |
| Day 13 | After breakfast we say our farewells. |
| Walking | Coastal walks on uneven terrain of
up to two miles.
Walking boots recommended with
trainers suitable on some occasions.
Collapsible or telescopic walking poles
could be useful for this trip. |
| Weather | Though usually quite dry, these islands
can experience all the seasons during
one trip and can be windy (5°-20°C). |
| Insects | Biting insects are not usually a problem
but bring repellant just in case. |
| Meals | All included from dinner on Day 1 to
breakfast on Day 13. |
| Accom | Double, twin, single rooms all ensuite. |
| Group | 12 |
A journey through magical isles on the edge of the Atlantic.
A diverse landscape of vast white beaches, rugged mountains,
fertile machair and huge seascapes.48uep6bbph|00000E4E|Spey_BESQL3|HolidayTypes|Subheading 48uep6bbphidval|O HEBS ODYSSEY
| * Raptor watching with both eagles, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Merlin and Peregrine
|
| * Summer-plumaged divers, including Red-throated and Great Northern
|
| * Unspoilt and deserted white sand beaches with shallow crystal clear waters
|
| * Unique machair habitat in bloom, full of nesting waders and birds
|
| * Excellent chance of Corncrake amidst lush vegetation
|
| * Otters plus the chance of cetaceans and Basking Shark
|
| * World famous Callanish Standing Stones and ancient Dun Carloway Broch
|
| Day 1 | Our adventure begins with a meal together
in Inverness and a run through the trip
itinerary.
|
| Days 2-3 | We head southwest, through Lochaber,
past Ben Nevis, to the port town
of Oban where we shall catch our ferry to Barra.
Our journey to the Outer Hebrides takes
us through the Sound of Mull and across the
southern Minch. There’s a sense of anticipation
as we gather on deck for some sea-watching
- auks, Gannets, skuas, shearwaters and divers are
likely, plus a chance of Storm Petrel and cetaceans
on the crossing.
Barra and its adjoining island Vattersay are gentle
islands and we start our Hebridean adventure
among the white sands and croft lands looking for Golden and White-tailed Eagles and Corncrake
near the internationally famous airport, where
planes land on the beach of Traigh Mor!
|
| Days 4-7 | We leave Barra and take the short
crossing to Eriskay, connected by
causeway to South Uist. We shall explore North
Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay from our
wonderful hotel. Birds seem to be everywhere
and we shall visit the unique machair, alive with
waders, Corn Bunting, Skylark and Twite.
The RSPB Reserve at Balranald is a gem and gives
us our best chance of Corncrake, calling from
the iris beds. The Uists are wonderful for raptors
and the chance of eagles is ever present, with
Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers quartering
the peatlands, often seen from the hotel!
The beaches and shallow bays of the west coast
are fished by Common, Arctic and Little Terns,
Great Northern Divers and a very healthy Otter
population. Red-necked Phalaropes breed here
and there is always the chance of finding a rarity.
We’ve recorded Snowy Owl, Woodchat Shrike
and Subalpine Warbler on previous trips - anything
is possible!
|
| Days 8-11 | We’ll spend four days exploring the
islands of Lewis and Harris - two very
different islands with wide expanses of peat moor,
wild coastlines and incredible bare-rock scenery.
Some of our most iconic raptors hunt these vast
landscapes and we shall follow the Hebridean Bird
of Prey Trail for Golden and White-tailed Eagles,
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owls, Merlin, Kestrel and
Peregrine.
We shall explore the wild Atlantic edge along
the northwestern coast of Lewis up to the Butt
of Lewis. This windswept and spectacular place
is one of the best locations in the UK for
sea-watching for both birds and cetaceans.
Though not common, Minke Whale, Common
or even Risso’s Dolphin and other species are
possible. The shallow lochs of the west coast are
a refuge for wildfowl, waders and scarce migrants
with the possibility of a vagrant American Wader
if we’re lucky. The sea lochs and beaches of the
rugged south west coast of Lewis are a wild,
remote and under-watched habitat for Otters,
eagles and divers, including Red-throated and
Great Northern and we should find Cuckoo and Twite here.
The Standing Stones of Callanish are
archaeologically world famous and a stunning
example of a circle and cruciform arrangement
with almost 50 still standing. Walking amongst
them ignites the imagination. We shall also visit
Dun Carloway, one of the best-preserved Iron
Age brochs in Scotland.
Harris is conjoined to Lewis, but the habitat
and feel is very different. The north is a rugged
mountainous moonscape, whereas the west
coast has open machair and vast spectacular
and deserted beaches. We shall walk on one
of the world’s great beaches at Luskentyre, which
is simply stunning and a superb location for
Golden Eagles. We shall visit North Harris Eagle
observatory, with a good chance of Merlin too,
which regularly nest close by.
|
| Day 12 | The ferry from Stornoway across the
fertile waters of The Minch to Ullapool
provides more chances of Minke Whale, Basking
Shark and seabirds - then from Ullapool we
head back to Inverness for our evening meal and
to reflect on our adventure.
|
| Day 13 | After breakfast on Friday we say our fond
farewells.
|
Just some of what we hope to see..
| Corncrake | Whimbrel | Golden Plover |
| Golden Eagle | Arctic Tern | Red Grouse |
| White-tailed Eagle | Little Tern | Corn Bunting |
| Hen Harrier | Black Guillemot | Twite |
| Merlin | Rock Dove | Otter |
| Short-eared Owl | Arctic Skua | Grey Seal |
| Peregrine | Great Skua | Common Seal |
| Great Northern Diver | Manx Shearwater | dolphins |
| Red-throated Diver | Storm Petrel | whales |
| Black-throated Diver | Red-necked Phalarope | Basking Sharks |
| Eider | Greenshank | |
"Multiple sightings of Golden and White Tailed Eagles, male Hen Harrier and Short-eared
Owls"
Susan Bradbury
|
"I think most folks thought we were daft doing the same trip two years in a row, but just as good second time around, and great not to have to wear masks all the time. The sheer beauty and difference between the islands and the diversity make the Outer Hebrides stars on their own, before the wildlife even gets added. The colour changes with the weather to die for. Crossing the Minch from Oban to Castlebay was amazing with 15 Minke Whales seen, Basking Sharks, Rizzos and Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise all in good numbers, add the rafts of sea birds, the views of the islands and it makes a very special day. Our thanks again to Simon and Craig for looking after us so well - they really are stars when the weather is such a challenge"
Belinda and Steve Batt
|
"Going to the Outer Hebrides was a new experience for me. I had never been there before so overall the experience was excellent. Seeing the numerous birds especially the White-tailed Eagles, Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls, Corncrake (never seen one before) and Red-necked Phalarope (never seen one before). We were lucky enough to see a buzzard, Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle flying next to one another so the size difference was clear. Seeing a Ruff in its full breeding plumage was also a treat as I have seen them without and it looks like a completely different bird. On our stay in Stornoway it was nice to get the opportunity to see an ancient broch at Duncarlaway on Lewis, the Black House museum and the Callanish Standing Stones"
Penny Blake
|
"Vatersay - three raptors together above us - Golden Eagle, buzzard and White-tailed Eagle. Paddling in the sea! Corncrake in close proximity, crossing the road and a nearby field Hougharry. Luskentyre beach - stunning. Raven being harried, doing a barrel roll right above us. Standing Stones at Callanish. The ferry crossing from Oban to Barra - great views of birds and marine life"
Gill and John Haveron
|
"Highlights of the trip for us both were sightings of the Minke Whales and dolphin pod from the Oban ferry; seeing Corncrake well; Sand Martins swooping low over the beach at Culla Bay to feed; waders and chicks on the moorlands; a variety of waders on the shores including Curlew Sandpiper in breeding plumage; walking through the rare Machair habitat; great comparative views of Golden and White-tailed Eagles together with Common Buzzard; Arctic Tern; an obliging Red-throated Diver; Pipits and Wheatear almost everywhere; luckily catching up on a pair of Twite; the beautiful Luskentyre beach with Sea Gooseberry; the incredible Lewis chess pieces and even some of Craig's story telling!"
Sara and Roy Cowley
|
"An absolute delight to be able to get away anyhow, but if anything after our third trip to the Outer Hebrides we love them even more. Great to see Corncrake and the eagles were fabulous too. As ever a holiday full of highlights everyday, Craig as ever a super spotter, and of course knows the patch so well. Simon also a star, spotting loads and keeping us informed as well as being'our' driver. Traigh Mor a personal favourite watching the plane take off from the beach on Barra. Simply a huge big thank you to all at Speyside for enabling us to enjoy this trip to the full"
Belinda and Steve Batt
|
"Seeing more Short-eared Owls in one day, on the Uists, than all previous trips put together"
John Duerden
|
"Great Northern Diver/Black-throated Diver in full summer feathers through Roy and Alan's scopes. I had only seen them through bins before. The patterns were just amazing. The Golden and White-tailed Eagles soaring over the grey/green crags against bright blue skies. So huge yet so effortless. Could watch them all day. The sound of bird song in Archies wood and seeing and smelling Olearia Macrodonta (New Zealand Holly) in flower. Apparently common, but I had never seen it. Many cuckoos on a telegraph wire. Short-eared Owls plus fledglings. The facial expressions were so comical. Orchids everywhere in The Machair. Stunning flora. All the beaches, the turquoise and indigo sea with pure white breakers. Last but not least was our "Intrepid 5 group" - the most interesting and humorous folk I have had the pleasure of being with. We laughed our way through the Outer Hebrides. Our sides ached at times. WHAT A HOLIDAY! Thank you Speyside Wildlife."
Sheila Foggin
|
"The sight of a Sea Eagle being mobbed by dozens of gulls right along side us. The amazing scenery of the Hebrides."
Helen James
|
"We found the Outer Hebrides as a whole to be a wonderful and worthwhile experience. We particularly enjoyed the wildlife of the Uists and Lewis and Harris, and the scenery of Harris and the Uists. Seeing an Otter swim along the shoreline about 10 metres from the water's edge at Luskentyre Beach on Harris on an atmospheric day was the highlight of the trip - moody scenery, gloriously colourful water and pristine white sand."
Gill & David Parmee
|
"Seeing three lifetime birds; Walking down a beach keeping pace with a swimming dog Otter only 3 metres away."
Alan Savage
|
"The total number of different birds seen could not be bettered. Although it was a wildlife holiday, the beaches were all spectacular! The cuisine, as mentioned above, was excellent. The group as a whole were also excellent and everyone got on well together."
Jennifer Hardy
|
"Frequent sightings of:- Red-necked Phalarope, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Golden Eagle. Sightings of birds in full breeding plumage. We only see these species in winter plumage in South Wales:- Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover, etc."
Margaret & Richard Lewis
|
"The ferrys, opportunity to see birds at sea. The Golden Eagles, 3 at once literally overhead. Gannets diving at Europie beach, Red-necked Phalaropes, 5 of them, close up and they mated, a chance in a million. Fumars nesting in the thrift, so close. Short-eared Owls mobbing a Hen Harrier repeatedly overhead. Hearing and watching a Corncrake close up. Cuckoos, lots of them around Tower View, I had never seen a cuckoo well enough to identify before and we did so repeatedly. Hen Harrier passing food! Sorting out the beach feeding birds and seeing the Curlew, Sandpiper so well. Storm Petrels, thats a first for me. Experiencing life on the Outer Hebrides it feels like a different culture, I feel as if I have had a foreign holiday and have learned so much about a totally different lifestyle. I have read a lot more about it since I got home."
Helen Lomax
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With its guarantee of a good night’s sleep, a reputation for excellent customer service and a good restaurant, the Premier Inn is the ideal place to spend our first and last evening. Located at the edge of Torvean Golf Course, this contemporary hotel is a 1-minute walk from the Caledonian Canal. In-room amenities feature free WiFi, pillow-top mattresses and en suite bathrooms with showers, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities, TVs and desks.
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Overlooking the bay and Kisimul Castle, you will discover traditional hospitality, great comfort, friendly service and great food. International Chef Slawek Pilarski is reputed to provide the best food on the island, including local seafood and shellfish, with a fine wine list. All rooms en-suite, TV, telephone, tea-making facilities and free Wi-fi.
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A cosy and intimate hotel welcomes those who wish to experience fine foods and finer company. The hotel is ideally placed for exploring the Uists.
You could not wish for a more idyllic spot for your Hebridean adventure with Panoramic coastal views.
Orasay Inn houses a lounge where you can reside in comfort while taking in some of the most beautiful sunsets available.
Room facilities include wifi, daily house keeping, blackout curtains, tea and coffee making, complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, trouser press
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The Caladh Inn enjoys a great reputation for friendly hospitality and relaxed informality
Rooms at the Caladh Inn offer complimentary mix of colour and neutral shades and they are all equipped with an en suite bathroom, a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
The restaurants offer both a traditional Scottish dinner and cuisine with an international flavour. The Eleven Bar offers a selection of draught beers, malt whiskeys and wines from around the world.
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