Outer Hebrides self drive holiday in Scotland
Description of Outer Hebrides self drive holiday in Scotland
One thing Scotland is notorious for is the changeability of its weather. But dramatic skies will only add to the atmosphere of this thrill-packed holiday. Spend two weeks exploring islands including Skye, Harris and Lewis, as well as parts of the mainland, with a host of exciting activities included. If you love adventure, and you love the freedom that only a self drive holiday can give you, then you’ll love this Outer Hebrides self drive holiday.
Your itinerary for this fortnight of fun is tailor made, but have a read of the below and we don’t think you’ll find a great deal you want to change. Travel from Fort William to Arisaig Bay, then take the ferries across to Skye, Harris and Lewis, and back to the mainland so you can carry on to Torridon and Appleton. You’ll be provided with a high quality hire car according to your requirements, with detailed route notes provided of course, and 24/7 support is available should you need it.
The wealth of activities included here is all about getting you amongst the Outer Hebrides’ stunning natural landscapes. Hike to the summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest peak; kayak around Arisaig Bay in search of seals and otters. Take a boat trip off Skye to see puffins, dolphins and porpoises. And on Harris, meet up with a brilliant local guide for a half day of paddleboarding. Don’t worry, they give you a wetsuit.
Fun and games aside, at the heart of this trip and what we think gives it its greatest appeal is your accommodation. As you move from place to place you’ll be welcomed into a series of characterful bed-and-breakfasts, with lovely hosts keen to share with you the stories of their homes, and their unique passions. One may invite you to join her for a session of Qigong; another may give you an impromptu lesson in the Celtic fiddle. Still another may provide an introduction to Scottish whisky tasting.
As an introduction to the culture and nature of the Outer Hebrides, this magical holiday is difficult to beat.
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Reviews
2 Reviews of Outer Hebrides self drive holiday in Scotland
Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025 by Paola Embry
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Driving throughout NC500 and visiting the Oarkney’s and the outer Hebrides.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Claire at the operator did an amazing Job at putting a 30+ day itinerary for us! They thought of every detail and logistics. Every place we stayed was independently owned and we felt great about supporting each place we visited.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely! It was a wonderful way of traveling and supporting independent
businesses and independent locally owned restaurants .
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic! Amazing! Can’t wait to book another amazing holiday with the operator!
Reviewed on 19 May 2024 by Laurie Reck
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Driving from Isle of Sky north on NC500 Orkneys
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Allow another day or two. We could have used them
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, definitely, we were environmentally aware. Scotland was a very clean country!! No litter
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good and enjoyable.
Responsible Travel
Planet
We work exclusively with local, independent partners who share our values - to positively impact the communities and environment we operate in.Our Self-Drive Highlands and Islands Road Trip is based at small independent B&Bs, of which your first and final night accommodation in Fort William prides itself on being environmentally conscious and wildlife friendly. The property reduce the use of chemicals when cleaning, avoid single-use plastics, serve locally sourced food, use a renewable energy electricity supplier, and much more. To be the most wildlife friendly they can, the accommodation replant any trees removed from their grounds for firewood, maintain the garden and pond for wildlife, feed the local animals (including red squirrels and pine martens).
One of our recommendations on this Scottish road trip will see you in the heart of the territory of a pair of golden eagles. A ranger is often on hand to answer any questions about the wildlife and help locate these magnificent birds.
People
We are big believers in supporting the local community on all of our tours, it's at the heart of everything we do. We work solely with local independent partners who share the same values for supporting their local community. While it is often difficult to find employment in rural areas, we ensure to work with local guides to lead your hikes, gorge walking sessions and Qi Gong so that opportunities for guiding jobs such as these are available to locals.A growing concern to the younger generations in Scotland is the growth in part time jobs, and increases in self-employment, insecure working, and underemployment. Young adults are especially affected by these shifts: underemployment and insecurity in the form of zero hour contracts and an increase in cycling between low paid, short term work and unemployment have been identified as issues. There is also a significant inequality in pay with regards to age. Young adults are overrepresented in low wage sectors such as retail and food services, which rarely offer career progression. Making sure our employees and partners are paid a fair wage is not only the right thing to do but it also means they can afford housing in their local community. We're proud to support local people, keeping local talent and communities we visit thriving for future years.
Our self-drive adventure ensures that travellers are able to enjoy an authentic experience and aren't putting unnecessary pressure on rural communities by bringing large groups.
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