Outer Hebrides Fly-drive
Tangasdale Beach on Barra
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Experience Barra's beach airport & maximise your holiday time in the magical Outer Hebrides.
With flight times of around an hour from central Scotland, it has never been easier to reach the beautiful Outer Hebrides with their beaches, history and general sense of escape.
In response to demand from customers, we are now able to offer one-way car hire from tip to toe (or toe to tip) of this magical string of islands. Fly into Barra and land on the sand of the cockle beach, before heading North through the intriguing Uists to Harris, with its expansive silver sands, and Lewis to admire the mysterious standing stones of Calaneis. Then drop the car in Stornoway and fly away home. Or start in Stornoway and conclude the trip in Barra – the choice is yours on this tailor-made Scottish islands trip.
Day One – Isle of Barra
Your first Hebridean destination is the tiny island of Barra, where you will enjoy the unique experience of landing on the Cockle Strand, after a short flight from Glasgow. The flight schedule varies with the tides!
Your accommodation on Barra
After collecting your awaiting hire car – don’t expect too much formality here – it’s just a short drive to your first base. Expect a warm Hebridean welcome as you adjust to the different nature and pace of island life here in this remote corner of the British Isles.
What to see and do on Barra
Take a walk along the sparkling white sands of Cockle Strand and spot a plane landing at low tide ‘ an unforgettable sight. Drive or cycle up to Eoligarry and feast your eyes on the springtime profusion of primroses as you gaze across the sound to Fuday, Eriskay and South Uist in the distance. Or head south to Castlebay, the island capital, and visit Kisimul Castle, restored ancestral home of the clan MacNeil. Stop off at the highly informative Heritage Centre, where you can enjoy coffee and refreshments, before perhaps taking a picnic across the causeway to Vatersay, with its glorious twin beaches.
Day Three – The Uists
Next cross the Sound of Barra by ferry to tiny Eriskay and spend the day touring through South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist, your next Hebridean base
Your hotel on The Uists
This characterful former hunting lodge oozes historic charm within its original walls and has also been tastefully extended to open up panoramic views over the nearby loch and surrounding countryside. The restaurant is a great draw and the food is deliciously fresh and very local. In fact you might even catch a glance of the fisherman delivering the day’s catch from the loch.
What to see and do on the Uists
North Uist offers unlimited access to the interconnected isles of Benbecula, Grimsay, South Uist and Eriskay, all of which are ideal for walking, kayaking, cruising and wildlife-watching. Birdwatchers will not want to miss the RSPB Balranald nature reserve on the west coast – home to thousands of coastal waders and divers. Meanwhile, Lochmaddy itself boasts several unusual attractions, including a camera obscura and the impressive Taigh Chearsabhagh arts centre and museum.
Day Five – Harris & Lewis
The next islands to explore are in fact one land-mass, but two distinctive places, notable for the magical sandy beaches on Harris, and fabulous ancient history on Lewis. You will stay just outside Stornoway, a perfect touring centre.
Your hotel in Lewis
Your accommodation in Stornoway is a refurbished, family owned bungalow with just two very comfortable and cosy en-suite bedrooms. The Stornoway born-and-bred host is here to ensure your complete relaxation and satisfaction, serving authentic, locally sourced breakfasts and giving unique, local advice on anything you might need to know about the Outer Hebrides.
What to see and do in Lewis & Harris
With its magnificent scenery, Lewis is positively bursting with archaeological treasures, notably the eerie Standing Stones of Callanish, the Pictish Carloway Broch and several blackhouse villages. The bustling town of Stornoway boasts a vibrant social scene, where traditional music and crafts thrive in lively pubs.
Harris offers unrivalled opportunities for hillwalkers, anglers, divers, birdwatchers and wildlife-lovers with its spectacular beaches and stunning scenery. Marvel at the sight of golden eagles, cormorants and buzzards swooping down over the uninhabited offshore islands. And don’t miss Rodel’s exquisite 15th century church of St Clement’s, with its wonderful medieval tombs and wood carvings.
Day Seven – Return Home
Return your hire car in Stornoway and catch your return flight to Glasgow, with other options to Edinburgh, for onward connections.
NB This holiday may also be offered in reverse order on certain dates, subject to availability.
This is a triple-centre holiday, featuring Lewis, North Uist & Barra with flights from Glasgow. Options between Edinburgh and Stornoway and some connecting services available from Southampton, Birmingham, Belfast & Gatwick.
£1185 per person for April & October, £1295 per person from May to September.
Prices are based on two people sharing a double or twin room ensuite for six nights on a bed & breakfast basis. Also included are return flights from Glasgow to Barra and from Stornoway to Glasgow or Edinburgh, ferry travel from Barra to Eriskay, North Uist to Harris for car and passengers and seven days’ hire of a small manual car. Automatic transmission cars can be arranged given advance notice for a supplement of £10 per day.
The holiday may also be arranged in reverse, starting in Stornoway and ending on Barra.
Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday.
Please note that due to conditions imposed on our supplier by insurance companies, the maximum age for a UK licensed driver on this holiday is 79, and 75 for a driver from overseas.
All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £9 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.
We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
Really well organised...fabulous scenery and lovely friendly people. Thank you for the memories. Especially the flight from Barra - unforgettable!Roger & Linda, Essex, England
Generally speaking, this was an outstanding experience for us.James & Julie, British Columbia, Canada
We enjoyed our trip very much, and would like to return. McKinlay Kidd listened to what we wanted and organised the trip well.Ann & Malcolm, Reading, England
This holiday can be arranged from March to October.
To check the latest availability for this holiday complete the form below or call us. We will respond to your availability check within one working day if at all possible. Please bear with us on this - we work with a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses, and other independent businesses, ensuring that you have the chance to explore off the beaten track and really get under the skin of the destination.
Please note: All form fields are required unless otherwise stated optional.
