The classic 5 night end-to-end tour of the Outer Hebrides, in the comfort of your own car.
Start your adventure on the Island Experience holiday by sailing to the Western Isles with CalMac Ferries, bringing your own car along for the journey. From there, explore the breathtaking landscapes between Barra and Lewis, seamlessly traveling from one island to the next while soaking up the beauty and rich heritage of the Outer Hebrides.
Your trip begins in Ullapool, where at least two daily sailings operate from Monday to Saturday. Spend a couple of days exploring Lewis and Harris, taking in their rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches, and cultural highlights such as the Callanish Stones and Luskentyre Beach. Next, sail from Harris to Berneray, entering the stunning Uists, where historic sights, charming villages, and unspoiled scenery await.
After a few days immersing yourself in the Uists, hop on the ferry from Eriskay to Barra. Here, you can relax and soak up the island’s breathtaking landscapes and distinctive charm before making the scenic crossing back to the mainland from Barra to Oban. Your journey can start and finish in either Ullapool or Oban, depending on your preferred travel direction.
Designed as a five night holiday, the Island Experience covers just 140 miles from start to finish—giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sights. If you’d like to explore even more, you can always add extra nights to make the most of your trip.
At the end of each day, unwind in handpicked accommodations of your choice. Whether you prefer cosy B&Bs, four-star hotels, or a mix of both, you’ll experience warm Hebridean hospitality wherever you stay.
A typical 5 night Western Isles itinerary
You are completely free to pick your places to stay and time to stay in each, so the following itinerary is just an illustration of what you might choose to do. If time allows, we would suggest you book 6 or 7 nights, allowing you to split one extra day between Barra and the Uists and one extra day in Harris. Call us on 01851 706611 and chat to one of our local holiday advisors who will be happy to discuss your plans with you and help you create your own unique Outer Hebridean experience.
| Travel | Stay | |
| Day 1 | Morning departure from Ullapool for your crossing to Stornoway (Lewis). Afternoon tour of local attractions. | Lewis |
| Day 2 | Circular tour of west and north Lewis, including Uig beach, the ancient Callanish stones, restored black house village. | Lewis |
| Day 3 | Travel through the Outer Hebrides via South Lewis over the mountain pass to Harris and explore the fabulous Atlantic facing beaches of the Isle of Harris. Ferry to Berneray and the Uists. | North Uist |
| Day 4 | Tour the beaches and nature reserve of North Uist. Coastal and otter walks. | North Uist |
| Day 5 | Make an early start to explore South Uist en-route to the ferry from Eriskay to Barra. Spend the afternoon getting to know Barra and Vatersay. Perhaps enjoy the craic in a Castlebay Bar, as you’ll be away early in the morning. | Barra |
| Day 6 | Depart Castlebay for the scenic ferry crossing to Oban |
Travel information
You can choose to begin your holiday in Oban or Ullapool. As some Calmac ferry times vary considerably according to the day of the week, one of our holiday advisors will be happy to work out the direction that fits best for your chosen dates and mainland journey needs. Don’t forget that you can mix and match between price groups, so you may prefer to consider these prices as a guide.
| Example Prices |
Main Season 01/05/26 – 30/09/26 |
Low Season 01/01/26 – 30/04/26 01/10/26 – 30/04/27 |
| 5 nights | B&B | B&B |
| £ | £ | |
| Group 1 | £599 | £589 |
| Group 2 | £679 | £659 |
| Group 3 | £739 | £719 |
| Group 4 | £859 | £809 |
| Group 5 | £999 | £949 |
| Extra Nights |
£ | £ |
| Group 1 | £76 | £74 |
| Group 2 | £91 | £89 |
| Group 3 | £102 | £99 |
| Group 4 | £127 | £119 |
| Group 5 | £154 | £145 |
| Extra Nights: The extra night prices shown are for additional B&B only. Prices shown in this panel are per person, based on two adults travelling in one car and sharing a twin or double room. Per person prices will generally be higher for a solo traveller and lower for three or more people, please ask our advisor for more information. | ||
