The Wild Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides in Scotland are a place apart - on the very edge of Europe, where the Atlantic surges across white sandy beaches. Our holiday to the Western Isles has been designed by Stuart Housden, who spent 23 years as Director of RSPB Scotland. His extensive knowledge of these islands and understanding of the wildlife conservation stories here, is exceptional. The trip includes the Uists, Benbecula, Harris and Lewis with minibus transport and easy walking.

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Trip Report

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Leaders

Stuart Housden OBE and one of our team

Day 1	Meet up in Inverness for overnight stay. - 1 night Premier Inn
Day 2	Travel down the Great Glen and across Skye, before catching ferry to Lochmaddy and making the short journey to our hotel. 5 nights at Templeview Hotel
Days 3-6	Birdwatching, botany and wildlife exploration of North and South Uist and Benbecula in search of Corncrake, waders, seabirds and raptors.
Days 7-9	Take ferry to Harris and Lewis birding these two very different islands. We shall also take a half day boat trip to the Shiant Isles and visit Callanish Standing Stones and Dun Carloway Broch. 3 nights Hotel Hebrides in Tarbert
Day 10	Travel back to Inverness. 1 night Premier Inn
Day 11	Depart after breakfast.

Weather	Though usually quite dry, these islands can experience all the seasons during one trip and can be windy (5°-20°C).
Walking	Coastal walks on uneven terrain of up to three miles - walking boots recommended, but trainers or even sandals suitable on some occasions. Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip.
Boat Trip	Our boat trip to the Shiant Isles lasts around 4 hours.
Meals	All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11.
Insects	Biting insects unlikely to be a problem.
Accom	Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite.
Group	11

This holiday has been designed by Stuart, who spent 23 years as Director of RSPB Scotland. His extensive knowledge of these islands and understanding of the conservation stories here, is exceptional.

	* We visit North and South Uist, Benbecula, Berneray, Harris and Lewis
	* A chartered boat to the Shiants, 80,000 Puffins with close viewing of seabirds
	* Corncrake and Red-necked Phalarope - excellent chance of these elusive birds
	* Peak time for skua and wader migration with Long-tailed and Pomarine possible
	* Otters, three species of diver, Hen Harrier and Golden and White-tailed Eagles
	* Beautiful machair flora, including the endemic Hebridean Orchid
	* Standing stones of Callanish and other historic sites

Days 1-2	We overnight in Inverness, to give us an early start for our journey through the Great Glen and across the Isle of Skye to Uig and the ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist. Arctic Tern, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Gannet, Great and Arctic Skuas, Manx Shearwater and with luck even cetaceans are possible from the ferry. Arriving on North Uist the bustle of modern life seems far behind us as we head to our hotel.
Days 3-6	Stuart has visited these islands many times in his role with RSPB Scotland and we are thrilled to have him lead our Wild Hebrides trip - his expert knowledge and experience of the islands and their conservation issues adding enormously to the holiday. Our exploration will start in the south with shallow lochs, rocky headlands, dunes and our first machair - a beautiful habitat with stunning flora including the endemic Hebridean Orchid, with purple flowers and heavily blotched purple leaves. The wealth of flowers may attract Moss Carder and Great Yellow Bumble Bee, a rare species confined to the very north and west of Scotland. Migration is still in full swing and late parties of Whimbrel or Black-tailed Godwits enroute to Iceland can drop in anywhere, while tidal strands have summer plumaged Sanderling and Turnstones. At ‘stinky bay’, with rotting seaweed on the foreshore, many waders occur and divers and seaduck are sometimes just offshore. We shall scan for Red-necked Phalarope at a reliable site, while keeping an eye open for Hen Harrier and Golden Eagle, with Otter possible whenever we are on the coast. The RSPB Reserve at Balranald provides a chance of Corncrake calling from the iris beds and we’ll work on getting good views. Twite feed, Skylark sing overhead, Corn Bunting still give their jangling song and summer plumage waders are on the beach. Sea-watching from Aird an Runair is renowned but weather dependent, so north-westerlies may bring passage skuas, including rare Pomarine and Long-tailed. Breeding waders are everywhere including Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. We shall search for Purple Sandpipers and other rarities on the headlands and beaches. We shall visit remote areas of dunes and machair where Arctic and Little Terns nest on sandy fields, waders display overhead and we have a chance of finding Twite, Corn Bunting and wild Rock Doves. Optional early morning walks will be offered on some days to experience this special location.
Days 7-9	We head, via Berneray, to the ferry across to Harris with its rugged and forbidding mountains. A healthy population of Golden Eagle means we’ll keep our eyes peeled wherever we travel. We’ll visit Rodel and its beautiful 15th century church built for the chiefs of Clan Macleod. It is well preserved, with fine statues and we’ll check the area for migrants, while the machair at Northton can be alive with waders and has nesting Little Terns. This is one of the last areas for Corncrake on Harris and they often call from crofters’ gardens! We shall enjoy an exclusive boat trip to the Shiant Isles, eight miles off Harris in the middle of the Minch. This truly spectacular experience will be an adventure to remember! The islands support over 100,000 pairs of seabirds, including 10% of all the UK’s Puffins! We shall work hard to get good views of the seabirds and may see Manx Shearwaters, seals and perhaps dolphins. There were six White-tailed Eagle present in 2021! We shall get stunningly close to rafts of Puffins and other auks allowing fantastic photography opportunities. Harris is conjoined to Lewis, but the habitat is very different and we’ll drive up through moorland to the Standing Stones of Callanish - world famous and a stunning example of a circle and cruciform arrangement, with almost 50 standing stones. If time permits we may visit Dun Carloway, one of the best iron age brochs in Scotland and Loch na Muilne RSPB Reserve nearby. On our final full day we shall explore the mountains and moorlands in search of eagles and more, with a visit to the Butt of Lewis.
Days 10-11	Today we say goodbye to these wonderful islands, but if our ferry schedule allows we shall visit Tiumpan Head, east of Stornoway to scan for cetaceans and sebirds before making our way back across the Minch, then on to Inverness, birding as we go, for our last night together before going our separate ways.

Just some of what we hope to see..

Corncrake	Whimbrel	Puffin
Red-necked Phalarope	Rock Dove	Twite
Golden Eagle	Arctic Skua	Hebridean Orchid
Hen Harrier	Great Skua	Otter
Merlin	Pomarine Skua	Golden Plover
Short-eared Owl	Long-tailed Skua	Red-throated Diver
White-tailed Eagle	Manx Shearwater	Little Tern
Great Northern Diver	Black Guillemot	Arctic Tern
Black-throated Diver

"Seeing the Corncrake close up. Watching the Red Deer up in the hills looking down at us. Seeing the two Otters playing. Watching the Minke Whale following the ferry as we came back to Ullapool"
Daphne Sivewright

"Whale watching from the Stornaway to Ullapool ferry. Otters. Sea watching from the Butt of Lewis, Balranald RSPB, Corncrake watching, scenery on Harris"
Heather James

"Enjoying the wonderful scenery in general - those on Harris in particular. Lots of Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle sightings. Extraordinary views of Corncrake; Otters; Minke Whales accompanying ferry on way back to Ullapool; Boat trip to the Shiant Islands; Butt of Lewis in glorious sunshine"
Gaye Henson

"Amazing views of eagles nearly every day, all 3 kinds of divers, close-up of calling Corncrake and wonderful scenery as we arrived on Harris. Over 100 different kinds of birds was definitely value for money! Osprey catching a fish and flying off with it. Fabulous spot at the Butt of Lewis"
Jenny and Steve Hollaway

"I particularly wanted to see UK White-tailed Eagles and had fantastic views. Another thing on my wish list was the Shiant Isles and they did not disappoint. Stuart Housden has a wonderful knowledge of the area and I know we visited areas which would not normally be available. Roy (and Jane) were so kind in all ways and always made sure that we all had a good view and would carefully lower the scope so that I could see. They were all fantastic at spotting things and I am amazed at their abilities. It is the first time I have been with Speyside and had never heard of them before the RSPB Members Weekend but I loved the fact that everything was included. I drove back down the motorway buzzing and couldn't wait to book more holidays."
Lynda Niccolls

Boat trip to the Shants. So many eagles and other birds of prey. Trip to Vallay with talk by warden. Uist beaches with so may waders."
Lynne & John Tidmarsh

"Seeing a Great Yellow Bumblebee! The trip to the Shiant Islands was excellent."
Joan Hunter

"My highlight was the trip to the Shiant Islands which were awe inspiring and surrounded by the most amazing numbers of seabirds, including a bonxie taking a Puffin snack!"
Keith Barton

"Highlights for Colin and I included seeing many species for the first time or for the first time in breeding plumage - birds such as Cuckoos, Golden Plovers and Black-throated Divers were incredible. Our views of Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles and Short-eared Owls were amazing. A brilliant trip with a lovely group of people and superb guides."
Elaine & Colin George

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.

Temple View is a delightful family hotel, highly praised for food service and comfort with spectacular views out to the sea and the machair grassland. It was built as a family home in 1900, became a guest house in the thirties and has recently been tastefully extended to provide a delightful hotel of quality. All rooms are ensuite, have tea and coffee making facilities, direct dial telephone, hairdryer and colour television. The rooms to the front have extensive views of small islands towards the large tidal island of Baleshare and the 13th Century ruin of Trinity Temple, from which the Hotel gets its name. The rooms to the rear have views of moorland and distant hills towards the east of the island. The restaurant specialises in local produce whenever possible and there is a small bar. The sun lounge provides an ideal retreat after dinner where you can enjoy the sunset over the sea lochs and the Temple.

Hotel Hebrides offers, contemporary bedrooms which offer a high standard of quality combined with top notch technology. Every bedroom at the hotel is unique, laden with delightful considerate touches such as a range of luxury Highland Soap products, top quality pocket sprung mattresses and sumptuous thick bath sheets and robes for your added comfort. There is free wifi in every room, gourmet fully stocked mini-bars and freeview TV. The restaurant overlooks the harbour, offering a creative modern menu, including top organic produce and light and healthy options. The Pierhouse Restaurant has held an Eat Scotland Silver Award for 2 consecutive years.

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