Scottish Island Hopping Guided Small Group Tour

Join the tour leader and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and stay only a short distance from tomorrow’s flight. After introductions and a trip overview, spend the evening in good company as we look forward to the week ahead. McKinlay Kidd’s specialist tour leader will be on hand to answer any questions, as well as to add richness to the days and context to the unique sites.

Your accommodation at Glasgow Airport

A comfortable airport hotel in an excellent location. The main terminal is only a short walk away so there’s no need to worry about morning transfers. A pleasant bar and restaurant on-site make for a relaxed evening. For those wishing to explore, Glasgow city is only a twenty-minute bus or taxi ride away.

The morning flight passes over the Firth of Clyde, the isle of Arran and the Kintyre peninsula on the way to the Queen of the Hebrides. Islay is a fertile island in the Irish sea – on a clear day the cars can be seen driving in Donegal. Famous for the production of its distilleries, Islay is home to a rich and profound culture. Peoples have been visiting for millennia, from the Ahrensburgian explorers who set up camp 12,000 years ago to the neolithic monument builders who raised monoliths long before the pyramids, from the Lords of the Isles who governed the Gaelic Kingdom and the heroes of The Great War and WW2. It soon becomes clear Islay’s stories rest deep beneath the peatland.

Dwell among the ruins of Kildalton Chapel and walk between the gravestones of ancient clans. The Kildalton Cross is one of the finest examples of Celtic masonry to survive. This eighth century high-cross has withstood the coming of the Norsemen, Civil wars and the chaos of the Scottish Reformation.

Visit the renowned Ardbeg Distillery for an unforgettable tour and tasting – with its water taken from Uigeadail river, a dark mysterious place, and only a ‘legitimate commercial concern’ since 1815, the distillery is as photogenic as stone and mortar can be. Spend an hour learning the secrets and inspiration behind this award winning whisky.

Next it’s on to the ruinous Dunyvaig Castle, once a great naval base for the Lords of the Isles. A title of Scottish nobility first given to the Norse-Gaelic lord Somerled, the Lords of the Isles ruled  from the 12th – 15th century. Descendants of clan MacDonald, MacDougall and MacAllister can trace their lineage back to Somerled.

End the days explorations with the Round Church of Bowmore and hear of the daring exploits of the Tartan Pimpernel, Islay’s brave minister who helped 500 allied soldiers escape from occupied France during WW2. Concluding at the Islay Gaelic and Genealogical Centre for a private talk on island culture and ancestry before heading to your accommodation for the next two nights:

Your accommodation on Islay

Set among walks at the heart of Islay and a short distance from the famous Lochindall sea loch, this historic hotel is one of the oldest inns on the island, offering tastefully decorated and blissfully comfortable rooms. Their team of chefs bring together the finest local ingredients to create memorable meals and a welcoming atmosphere. There’s also a cosy bar with a wide selection of Islay ales, local whiskies and Islay’s own dry gin – The Botanist – distilled just down the road at the Bruichladdich Distillery. Only a short walk from the Bridgend woods and river Sorn, there’s plenty to explore and see in the moments of calm.

Start the day searching for wildlife and foraging along the sandy shores of Loch Gruinart with a local expert. The loch is one of Scotland’s richest wildlife habitats and a place of scenic strangity. Local residents include Corncrakes, Hares, Hen Harriers, Otters and Lapwings. This unique morning is the antithesis to busy tourist spots – you’re more likely to meet an otter than another tour group. Enjoy the desolate beauty and white sandy beaches of this untouched area of Scotland.

Stop for a unique lunch with freshly caught oysters on the menu, then head south for a delve into the island’s cultural history with visits to the harbour villages of Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. This evening there is a special event before dinner. The group will be treated to a private performance of Gaelic songs and the stories behind them by a renowned local singer.

First stop this morning is to Islay Wool for a tour of the old woollen mill and a talk with the head weaver. The two Dobcross looms have been creating exceptional tartans and tweeds for over a century. Learn about the craft and see first hand why this little family business has created cloths for numerous Academy Award winning movies over the last four decades. Pass by Ballygrant on the road to Finlaggan, where a local historian takes you on a guided walk through the remains of one of the most important locations in Scottish history.

Catch your breath at Port Askaig terminal as the iconic red, white and black of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry comes into view. Embark upon a unique journey north – the ferry takes you by the island’s of Jura and Colonsay, one the imposing heather stratus on which George Orwell wrote 1984, the other a wash of sand and grass. Enjoy the experience of sitting on the viewing deck as the ferry follows the coast. After a brief stop in the seaside town of Oban, you take the short crossing over to Mull, your home for the next three nights. Mull is also the resting place of Andrew Macquarie, born on the nearby Isle of Ulva in 1761 – he’s often described as the ‘Father of Australia’ and his mausoleum lies close to Loch Ba.

Your accommodation on Mull

This luxurious spa hotel makes a great counterpoint to the rugged beauty that surrounds it. Located on the sheltered East Coast of Mull with views to the Great Garden of Lismore, the location couldn’t be a better base for the next two day’s exploration. With options for fine dining or a more relaxed bar dinner, guests will be able to unwind and refuel.

There will be time to have a relaxed breakfast this morning or enjoy the hotel’s spa and facilities. Late morning the group will depart for the south of Mull along one of Scotland’s most scenic journeys. Pass beneath the shadow of Ben More and along the banks of Loch Scridain – watch out along the way for the highland cows grazing upon seaweed or the solitary Heron watching for trout. At the end of the journey its just a short ferry ride over to the isle of Iona for a special afternoon.

Disembark and follow in the footsteps of St Columba. Iona was the epicentre of Christianity’s spread throughout Scotland; its story reaches further back in time than any other piece of land. Your guide will lead a walking tour along the Street of the Dead, delving into the rich stories and history that made this little island the final resting place of Scottish kings through the ages. The walk culminates in a specialist guided tour of Iona Abbey.

The group returns northwards with a stop at Duart Castle. First recorded in a papal dispensation of 1367, Duart Castle has been the seat of clan McLean for nearly 700 years (possibly longer). An imposing structure on the edge of the sea, the castle is an iconic visitor attraction. Join a specialist guide for a private tour of the castle and learn of its rich and turbulent history. To cap off a truly unique experience, join Sir Lachlan Maclean, 12th Baronet and 28th Clan Chief for a glass of whisky as he recounts the story of Clan McLean.

This morning you will embark upon a four-hour wildlife adventure in the waters surrounding Mull – minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins, eagles, seals and seabirds have all been spotted in this part of the Atlantic. You’ll have an expert team on hand to give you the best chance of seeing something special.

The boat returns early in the afternoon to the harbour town of Tobermory. This picturesque seaside town is famous for the colourful houses along the waterfront. Then the afternoon is yours, free to explore the shops, restaurants, distillery, galleries and museums that make this little place such a rich and varied destination. The location of the ‘Balamory’ children’s television series, a town designed by engineer Thomas Telford, the site of a sunken Spanish Galleon – it doesn’t take too long to realise there’s more to Tobermory than meets the eye.

Return to the hotel for a final evening spent with a drink by the fire or sitting outside watching the sea darken as the stars come out above.

You’ll be taking the morning ferry back to Oban before one final treat. Board the West Highland line to Glasgow. A journey like no other, the little train travels through the rugged landscape and desolate grandeur of Scotland’s untamed beauty. Pass by the hollow mountain, see the ruin of Kilchurn Castle clinging to the banks of Loch Awe, enter the mountain corridors of Tyndrum and Crianlarich, pass through the Trossachs national park and by Loch Lomond.

Arrive in Glasgow late afternoon where the tour ends. Please tell us if you would like help with your onwards arrangements – maybe take a few days to explore Glasgow or Edinburgh, or possibly further afield if time allows.