Outer Hebrides, Lewis & Harris 5 Day Tour From Edinburgh
Outer Hebrides, Lewis & Harris 5-Day Tour from Edinburgh
Journey from Edinburgh through the Highlands to the Outer Hebrides, where white-sand beaches, prehistoric monuments and the extraordinary landscapes of Lewis & Harris await.
Atlantic beaches, ancient stones and living island culture.
Travel north from Edinburgh through the Cairngorms and Inverness, turn west through the north-west Highlands and cross the Minch for two nights on the Isle of Lewis. Harris brings mountain scenery and the pale sands of Luskentyre, while Lewis reveals 5,000 years of island history.
Walk among the Callanish Standing Stones, discover traditional blackhouse communities and reach the Atlantic edge at the Butt of Lewis. Corrieshalloch Gorge, Knockan Crag, Loch Ness and Glencoe make the Highland journey to and from the islands every bit as memorable.
Walk on Luskentyre Beach
Step onto pale sand beside clear turquoise water, with Harris’s mountain landscape rising beyond the shoreline.
Stand Among the Callanish Stones
Walk through one of Scotland’s great prehistoric monuments, created around 5,000 years ago in Lewis’s open landscape.
Discover Traditional Island Life
Explore Lewis’s blackhouse heritage and the communities shaped by crofting, weather and the Atlantic Ocean.
See Far More Than the Islands
Connect Highland woodland, Culloden, Loch Ness and Glencoe with the wild landscapes of Scotland’s north-west.
Edinburgh to Lewis & Harris through the Highlands
Travel north to Inverness, cross the Minch to the Outer Hebrides, spend two nights on Lewis and return through Scotland’s north-west Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe.
Edinburgh to Lewis & Harris and back through the Highlands
Five varied days connect the Cairngorms, the Outer Hebrides, Scotland’s north-west coast, Loch Ness and Glencoe.
Edinburgh → Inverness
Leave Edinburgh and travel into Perthshire for a woodland walk at The Hermitage, where towering trees frame the path to Black Linn Falls.
Continue into the Highlands to Dalwhinnie Distillery, followed by Aviemore in the Cairngorms for lunch.
The afternoon brings you to Culloden Battlefield and the nearby prehistoric Clava Cairns. Finish in Inverness, with the evening free to explore the Highland capital.
Inverness → Isle of Lewis & Harris
Leave Inverness and travel west to Corrieshalloch Gorge, where a short walk reveals the deep gorge and its waterfalls.
Continue to Ullapool and board the ferry across the Minch to Stornoway, with the chance to watch for seabirds, dolphins and other marine wildlife.
On arrival, travel south into Harris for a walk on Luskentyre Beach, then continue to MacLeod’s Stone before returning to Stornoway.
Explore the Isle of Lewis
Begin around the Port of Ness before travelling north towards St Moluag’s Church and the Atlantic coastline at the Butt of Lewis.
Continue past Eoropie Beach and Clach an Trushal, then discover Lewis’s blackhouse heritage, the Whalebone Arch and the restored Norse Mill & Kiln.
Visit Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Dun Carloway Broch before finishing among the magnificent Callanish Standing Stones.
Lewis → Inverness
Board the ferry back across the Minch to mainland Scotland and continue into the remarkable landscapes of the north-west Highlands.
Walk at Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, a geological landscape with wide views across Assynt.
Continue to the woodland and waterfalls of the Falls of Shin, then finish around Glenmorangie Distillery before returning to Inverness.
Inverness → Edinburgh
Begin beside Loch Ness with the opportunity to cruise towards Urquhart Castle and explore the castle’s dramatic setting above the water.
Continue to Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal locks meet the southern end of Loch Ness and there is time for lunch.
Travel south through Glencoe and stop beneath the Three Sisters, with the chance for one final Highland cow stop before completing the journey back to Edinburgh.
The itinerary is a guide. Ferry schedules, weather, attraction availability, road conditions and other operational circumstances may require stops, timings or the running order to change.
What travellers say about our Lewis & Harris tours
These Google reviews are selected from our central review library, prioritising guests who specifically joined this five-day Outer Hebrides journey. Closely related Lewis, Harris and Hebridean reviews are used only when an exact-tour match is unavailable.
2 nights on Lewis + 2 nights in Inverness
Spend Night 1 and Night 4 in Inverness, with Nights 2 and 3 based on the Isle of Lewis for your Outer Hebrides adventure.
Choose your own accommodation or ask Scotland’s Wild to arrange rooms with trusted local partners in Inverness and on Lewis.
Let Us Arrange It
We can arrange Twin, Double, Single or Family rooms through trusted accommodation partners in both overnight areas.
- We arrange each stay after your tour booking is confirmed.
- Breakfast is normally included.
- We send you the accommodation details and total price.
Book Your Own
You are welcome to arrange your own accommodation in Inverness and on Lewis to suit your preferred style and budget.
- Contact us before making reservations so we can confirm the correct areas.
- Stay within approximately 3km of the group accommodation location.
- This helps us manage morning collection and evening drop-off.
Typical Accommodation Costs
Approximate price per person, per night.
| Room Type | B&B En-suite | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Occupancy 1 person per room | £100–£160 | £155–£255 |
| Multiple Occupancy 2+ people per room | £80–£110 | £100–£160 |
Prices are a guide only and vary according to season, demand, availability, special events and how close to departure you book.
Solo travellers: when we arrange accommodation, we aim to provide a single room. If availability is limited, a twin room shared with another traveller of the same gender may occasionally be offered. Contact us beforehand if you do not want sharing to be considered.
Breakfast: breakfast is normally included when we arrange accommodation. We will tell you if an exception applies.
Accommodation questions: info@scotlandswild.com
What’s included & what to budget for separately
Included
- Scheduled ferry travel between Ullapool and Stornoway
- Fun, friendly and knowledgeable Scotland tour guide
- Guided short walks and Active Sightseeing stops
- Transport throughout the 5-day journey
- Air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Outer Hebrides and Highland scenery
- Waterfalls, beaches and historic island landscapes
- History, stories, myths and legends throughout the journey
- Small-group touring with a maximum of 16 guests
Not Included
- Accommodation for the four nights
- Meals and snacks
- Loch Ness cruise
- Gearrannan Blackhouse Village admission
- Arnol Blackhouse admission
- Glenmorangie Distillery admission
- Culloden Visitor Centre / museum admission
- Any other paid attraction unless specifically stated
Where your five-day journey begins and ends
Outside The Jolly Botanist
256–260 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT
Please arrive at 8:15am so your guide can check everyone in before the 8:30am departure.
Expected arrival: 7–8pm
The tour returns to the same Edinburgh meeting point. Allow flexibility for Highland traffic, weather and road conditions.
Avoid tightly timed onward travelThe exact arrival time can change, so leave a comfortable margin before trains, flights or other fixed plans.
Why travellers choose Scotland’s Wild
Across five days, your guide connects the Outer Hebrides, the north-west coast and the Highlands into one warm, personal journey.
Come for the islands. Remember how they felt.
This route reaches extraordinary places, but it should never feel like a checklist. Your guide connects Luskentyre, Callanish, Lewis’s blackhouses and the north-west Highlands through the people and stories behind each landscape.
Five days together gives a small group time to settle in, ask questions, share a laugh and notice the quieter moments between landmarks—the part many guests remember after returning home.
5-Day Lewis & Harris Tour FAQs
Important information about accommodation, ferries, walking, luggage and your five-day Outer Hebrides adventure.
Is accommodation included in the tour price?
No. Accommodation is not included in the advertised tour price.
The four overnight stays are Night 1 and Night 4 in Inverness, with Nights 2 and 3 on the Isle of Lewis. You can ask us to arrange rooms through trusted partners or book your own after checking the correct areas with us.
Where will I stay during the four nights?
Your overnight bases are Inverness and the Isle of Lewis. Exact properties and locations vary according to availability and departure date.
If you arrange your own accommodation, contact us first so we can confirm the correct areas. Your accommodation should normally be within approximately 3km of the group location.
Are the Lewis ferry crossings included?
Yes. The scheduled ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway and the return journey to mainland Scotland are included in the tour price.
Ferry schedules are operationally important and can sometimes require the running order or timings to change.
How do I secure my place on the tour?
A 25% deposit is required when booking this multi-day group tour.
The remaining balance is due 15 days before your tour starts and is automatically collected using the payment method attached to your booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
For this multi-day scheduled group tour:
- 16 or more days before departure: 90% refund of the total tour cost.
- 15 days or less before departure: 100% of the tour cost is payable.
- No-show: 100% of the tour cost is payable.
Can I take this Lewis & Harris tour from Glasgow?
Yes. We also offer a dedicated 5-Day Lewis & Harris Tour from Glasgow.
The Glasgow version starts in Glasgow and finishes in Edinburgh, so use the correct page for your preferred departure city.
Are there age restrictions?
Yes. The minimum age for this scheduled group tour is 12 years old.
If you are travelling with younger children, contact us about arranging a private tour instead.
Which attraction tickets are not included?
The following are currently paid separately from the tour price:
- Gearrannan Blackhouse Village admission
- Arnol Blackhouse admission
- Glenmorangie Distillery admission
- Culloden Visitor Centre / museum admission
- Loch Ness cruise
Attraction opening dates and availability are seasonal and can change.
Where and when does the tour depart from Edinburgh?
Check-in is at 8:15am and the tour departs at 8:30am.
Meet outside The Jolly Botanist, 256–260 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT.
What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?
The tour normally returns to Edinburgh between approximately 7:00pm and 8:00pm on Day 5.
Traffic, weather and road conditions can affect the precise arrival time, so avoid tightly timed onward travel immediately afterwards.
How much walking is involved?
This is an Active Sightseeing tour. Short walks and time outside the vehicle are deliberately built into the experience.
Guests should be comfortable walking for up to around one hour on island, coastal, woodland and historic-site terrain. Paths can be rough, wet, slippery or uneven.
What should I wear and bring?
Scotland’s weather can change quickly. We recommend:
- Waterproof clothing
- Comfortable sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Warm layers
- Hat and gloves in colder weather
- Midge repellent, particularly April–September
- Sun cream for brighter days
Are meals included?
No. Meals and snacks are not included.
There are opportunities to buy food throughout the Highlands, Lewis, Harris and Inverness, and your guide can recommend places to eat. Evening restaurants on the islands may require advance booking during busy periods.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each traveller can bring one suitcase or bag up to 15kg / 33lb, approximately:
56cm × 43cm × 25cm
You may also bring one small handbag-sized personal bag.
Will there be regular bathroom breaks?
Yes. Regular comfort stops are made throughout the five-day journey, and toilet facilities are also available on the Lewis ferries.
Can weather or ferry schedules change the itinerary?
Yes. Island travel depends on ferry schedules, weather, attraction availability and road conditions.
Safety and practical ferry connections come first, so your guide may adjust the order of stops, timings or individual visits where necessary.
Ready for five unforgettable days in the Outer Hebrides?
Explore Lewis, Harris, the north-west Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe as one connected small-group journey.
