Coast, sea Highlands & Islands –
Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Lewis & Harris - ultimate, awesome & timeless wild nature - Hebridean Escapade on Scotland's largest island

4 days

This is a private & personalised 4 day tour with pick up from Edinburgh or anywhere in Scotland for a group of up to 8 & AVAILABLE on any 4 consecutive green* calendar days --- FREE 4 DAYS TOUR 50 MILES PICK UP ZONE includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, St. Andrews, Perth, the Scottish Central belt, everywhere along the Fife Coast & in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs nationalpark within 50 miles of our Alloa home base in the heart of the Scottish Central Belt --- FREE ALONG THE WAY PICK UP LOCATIONS free (excess mileage does not apply) pick ups from anywhere along & near to the route from our homebase (Alloa, near Stirling) towards your tour destination we pass along anyway = Free additional pick ups for this private tour also in the Perthshire, Aviemore, Inverness, Ullapool, Lochaber & Skye regions & from the Isles of Lewis & Harris --- EXCESS MILEAGE PAYABLE PICK UPS the additional pick up mileage supplement applies outwith & beyond the 50 miles free pick up zone more than 50 miles from our Alloa home base --- UNAVAILABLE on red & blue calendar days & during green* "Island based tour days", when our tours start from & finish at our temporary Scottish Islands & regions base further away instead

4D#1

Tour summary & highlights

Outer Hebrides tours – Harris, Lewis 

4 days+ tour to explore & experience

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 4D#1


see below for some of the highlights of the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris


Highlights of the Isle of Lewis

  • the journey into the northwestern Highlands towards the ferry port of Ullapool
  • the ferry journey past many isles and through Loch Broom across the Minch
  • Stunning great many crystal clear lonely vast many beaches on the conjoined Isles of Harris and Lewis
  • the Callanish Standing stone circle

  • the seacliffs on Western Harris
  • dramatic seacliff walks
  • hundreds of miles of coastline on the conjoined islands of Harris and Lewis with new spectular views around every corner
  • lots of nature walks
  • wildlife spotting
  • Carloway broch, Gearrannan Black house village, Stornoway harbour, Lews castle & island museum
  • the serenity of wide open spaces between the sea, heaven & earth
  • spring awakening, flowers, lambs
  • the views along hundreds of miles of coastline
  • lots more..

Isle of Lewis links

Isle of Lewis & Great Bernera

Isle of Lewis – link – Caledonian MacBrayne ferries

Isle of Lewis.com – info

Isle of Lewis – Scottish islands passport

Great Bernera – Scottish islands passport

Visit Scotland Isle of Lewis & Harris

Harris & Lewis – explore.co.uk

 

On our way to Ullapool before our Caledonian MacBrayne ferry journey to the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Loch Broom, near Ullapool – Far Northwest coast – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Ullapool views from the ferry departing to Stornoway

 


Tolsta beach northside view – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 4 – Tolsta beach views – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Traigh Ghearadha/Garry Beach – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 

Land struggle memorial – Northeast Lewis (Grias & Coll raiders)

Gress beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

 


 

Callanish standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Gearrannan Blackhouse village & museum – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Carloway pier – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalbeg beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dun Carloway

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

 


 

Seacliffs on West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mangurstadh walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Seacliffs along the West Lewis coastline – Unicorn Tours

Replicas of the 12th century Viking walrus ivory Lewis/Uig chessmen set

Mangurstadh coastal walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mealasta – West Lewis with views including North Harris, Scarp & the Flannan Isles out west – Unicorn Tours

Uig beach – West of Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Aird Uig/Gallan head – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Views from Geisiader – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Einacleit – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Reef beach – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

Bhaltos – the community owned peninsula & the land struggle monument – West of the Isle of Lewis

Beach at Cliff – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

 


 

Bosta beach walk – Great Bernera (an island to the west of Lewis) – Unicorn Tours

Isle of Great Bernera via Bridge from West Lewis & Isle of Valasay via bridge from Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours

The current/old & the still being built future bridge from West Lewis to the Island of Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours


Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Iolaire memorial of the 181 returning soldiers after WWI drowning on 1st January 1919 in sight of homeshores 1 mile off Stornoway – Isle of Lewis

Lews castle & Island museum – Stornoway – Isle of Lewis -Unicorn Tours

Arrival into Stornoway/Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – ( p.s.: the conjoined island of Lewis & Harris being the third largest British Island after the island of Britain and the island of Ireland)

 


Rubha Airnis/Arnish point with views of Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Grimshader – Isle of Lewis


Leumrabhagh (east) views across Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Odhairn views from Grabhair — South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

More views of South Lewis

Loch Eireasort views from Cabharstadh/Cavarsta – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Grabhair – Loch Odhairn – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Calbost & the old settlement – Isle of Lewis – Southern lochs – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours’ videos

Marbhig – Southern lochs – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg views on the steep road down to Leumrabhagh & Orasaigh – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Cromore – Loch Eireasort – South Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Views from Ranais across the sealochs of Loch Grimshader, Leurbost & Eireasort & its islands – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Eisgein/Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Coastal walk – Unicorn Tours

Ceann Shiphoirt/ Head of Loch Seaforth – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Traditional sheiling – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Port Ness – Northern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Arnol Blackhouse – NW Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Shawbost beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Barvas coast – Northwest coast on the Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


Trumpan lighthouse – An Rubha/Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – 10 minute sunrise before the sun disappears below low clouds – views from Cape Wrath to Coigach (Achiltinuie near Ullapool) – on a clear day covering the entire Scottish West & NW coast as far south as the Trotternish peninsula on Skye

Bayble Bay & An Rubha/The Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 


Final Isle of Lewis beach walk before tomorrow”s early Stornoway to Ullapool ferry


Calmac ferry from the Isle of Lewis crossing the Minch with island, mountain & coastal views of the summer isles, Ben More Coigach, Loch Broome & Ullapool along the way – Unicorn Tours



Highlights of the Isle of Harris

  • Scarista beach
  • the serenity of wide open spaces between the sea, heaven & earth
  • spring awakening, flowers, lambs
  • the road to Huisinis
  • the views along hundreds of miles of coastline
  • the golden road with new stunning coastal views around every new corner
  • lots more..

Explore Harris

Harris & Scalpay

Harris – See & Do

Hebrides people visitor centre

Huisinis gateway

Huisinis – Hebridean whale trail

Isle of Lewis & Harris

Luskentyre sands – Isle of Harris – Visit Scotland

North Harris – Eagle observatory

North Harris – Outer Hebrides

North Harris Trust

Rodel – St. Clements church

Scalpay & Harris

Scalpay – Outer Hebrides

Scarista – Visit Scotland

Seilebost – Harris

Seilebost – Visit Scotland

Tarbert – Harris

Tarbert – Harris distillery

The Golden Road – Isle of Harris

 

 

North Harris & Loch Siophort/Seaforth – Unicorn Tours – May 2022

 

Tarbert – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

Scarista beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Horgabost & Seilebost with views across to Luskentyre beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Westcoast beaches – May 2022

Leverburgh – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

The “golden” road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Eastcoast/Golden route – on a dreich & rainy day – May 2022

Finsbay seals at low tide – Golden road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Rodel to Finsbay – Golden road – Isle of Harris

 

 



The Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris are conjoined and are one single island.

After the island of Britain and the island of Ireland they make up the 3rd largest British island and are massively large, a land apart with its own unique history, lifestyle, traditions and lots of awesome sights and distances longer than you might expect (90 miles north to south / 2 hours non-stop driving from Leverburgh in the south to the Port of Ness in the north – just on the main road only).


Ultimate, awesome & timeless Lewis & Harris – Hebridean Escapade on Scotland’s largest island – 4 day tour

Basic route:

– Your pick up
– Scottish mainland
– Ullapool – ferry – Stornoway / Isle of Lewis

– Isle of Lewis & Harris tour

– return



Every tour group, all individuals is different and have their own priorities and preferences, the weather on each tour is different, each private tour is tailormade and personalised and flexible, but this fyi is a sample itinerary of a recent 5 day “so not 4, but 5 day tour of Harris & Lewis:

Isle of Lewis & Harris 5 day tour
from Stirling & St. Andrews

—-

Day 1
Thu 06th April 2023
Journey to the Isle of Lewis

– Picking up from Stirling & Stirling Uni – travelling along the Ochils to St. Andrews West beach & the Old Golf course & museum for our final pick up
– Start of our 5 day tour after a mini-tour of St. Andrews – crossing the Tay bridge over to Dundee. Through the city of Perth into Highland Perthshire via Birnam (Beatrix Potter exhibition) and Dunkeld & its cathedral heading up north again on the A9 through Victorian Pitlochry and the Garry bridge to Killiecrankie visitor centre for a coffee.
– Restocking our food supplies at the Inverness Tesco before crossing the Kessock bridge across the Beauly & Inner Moray Firth to the Black Isle peninsula/Ross & Cromarty/the North of Scotland.
– After a dramatic climb up the mountains of the interior into the wild and spectacular Northwest Highlands, we stop for a photo at Corrieshalloch gorge.
– We drive along sealoch Broom & Ullapool overlooking Coigach into Assynt and Inverpolly into the world UNESCO Geopark of Northwest Scotland for a few stunning photos, including of Stac Pollaidh.
– We head to Ullapool for some free time before the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry journey from Ullapool through Loch Broom, past the summer isles and across the Minch to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
– After a 45 minute drive from Stornoway to the Otter bunkhouse, we finally settle into our overnight base at the Outer Hebrides for the next 4 nights.

————————-

Day 2
First of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion of West Lewis

After a frosty clear night we head towards Timsgarry Community centre with our first view of the Lewis Chessmen set before heading up the disused Aird Uig army base for a short hilltop walk for all round coastal & some cliff top views.
We go for a cliff walk at with great seastack views at Mangerstafh, before heading towards the end of the road at Mealasta with beach, islands, mountain views and sheep and Highland coos nearby.
At Uig beach we walk up the dunes-hill for an all round glorious view of beaches, mountains and the sea.

Back at the hostel we change into warm dry socks,
Before heading up from the Southwest further up to the Northwest in the afternoon:
– Callanish Standing stone circle
– Carloway broch
– A walk along Dalmore beach
– Arnol blackhouses
– The Sheiling
– Barbhas grocery shopping
– Dalbeag beach, rock & seastack view cliff walk
– Gearrannan Blackhouse village from the top
Returning back to the hostel with some in the group joining in on the nearby sunset Bhaltos peninsula circuit with Reef, Bhaltos & Cliff beaches

———————–

Day 3
Second of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion to Harris

We are setting off from the Otter bunkhouse at 08.30 am for an hour’s drive south towards from Lewis to Harris.
We drive along Loch Seaforth and cross the high mountains of North Harris.
We stop in the capital Tarbert before driving along the Isle of Harris beaches with lots of photostops.
At Scarista beach we go for a walk.
In the south of Leverburgh (ferry to Berneray on the Uists) we have a stop and go for our daily grocery shopping, before having our lunch at the Rodel pier before exploring historic St. Clements church.
We travel along the golden route and also stop at the Finsbay seals.
Via Tarbert we embark on a truly spectacular, windy and mountainous route to Huisinish, its beach, fjordwalk & welcome wooden hut with coffee – we enjoy the great wild scenery, mountains, sea, islands, wildlife, coos waterfalls and Amhuinnsuidhe Castle.
Via the North Harris Mountains & Loch Seaforth we journey back to Lewis.

———————————–

Day 4
Third of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion of the south lochs seafjords & Tolsta beaches on the eastside of the Isle of Lewis

On this windy Easter Sunday, we are leaving the Otter Bunkhouse & driving to the South Lochs/southern fjords of the Isle of Lewis – Cromore, Marbhig viewpont, Grabhair fjord, Leumrabhagh & Orinsay for our picknick lunch, fjordwalk & stunning coastal, fjord, islands and sheep & lamb viewing.

Via Leurbost we head towards Stornoway & along the northern beaches with views towards the Eye peninsula with its lighthouse & the mountains of the Northwest Highlands of the Scottish mainland in the far distance across the Minch, we are heading to Tolsta beach & the seastack beach beyond during low tide surrounded on both sides by cliffs for a glorious long golden beachwalk before heading back to the Otter bunkhouse during the onset of the stormy evening rain.

——————————————–

Day 5

Departure day from the Isle of Lewis & Harris back to the Scottish mainland,
down south to Stirling & St. Andrews again

It’s an early 5am depart to catch the 7am ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. After a stunning ferry ride and drive through the mountains from the Northwest to the Northeast, we go for a walk along the Silverbridge waterfalls.
In Strathpeffer with its Victorian flair and the home of the MacKenzie clan, we meet some mythological figures, before driving the Dingwall, the capital of Ross & Cromarty.
We head across the Cromarty bridge to the Black Isle peninsula, across the Kessock & the Moray & Beauly Firth bridge south again into the Cairngorms nationalpark.
After the Newtonmore Folk museum we go on a scenic drive before our Co-op shopping.
Once again in Highland Perthshire we have a photostop at the Loch Faskally bridge before getting caught up in the southbound Easter traffic at Perth.
We have a quick drive-by at the Gleneagles golf resort & hotel before saying good-bye to our tour guests in Stirling, the Uni & St. Andrews.

 



Price for a 4 day tour

Price for 4 day tour – Unicorn Tours

(Peak season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £153 / standard season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £127 for 4 days for the tour)

plus

ferries

(Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway/Lewis – footpassenger return, Unicorn Tours pays for the vehicle rate)

accommodation (option of low budget to 5*), food, entrance fees & your personal expenses


Day 1 – Scenic journey with stops

Route to Outer Hebrides, Lewis and Harris via Ullapool, Corrieshalloch Gorge and Rogie Falls.
depending on route request, time, group, weather, places near Inverness, such as Channonry Point (dolphins), Culloden Moor or Clava Cairns could possibly be included: 

to our ferry in Ullapool – stunning 2.5 hours Calmac ferry ride through Loch Broom (on the Westcoasts all sealochs & fjord are called “loch” just as an inland “loch”) and past the Summer isles to Stornoway/Isle of Lewis/Outer Hebrides.

Welcome to Lewis !

How much and what we can still do on Lewis on day 1 is subject to the ferry arrival time.


 

Day 21 full day for the Isle of Harris – It takes one hour to travel from Stornoway/Lewis to Tarbert/Harris and we will cross the wild rugged mountains of North Harris. We do a full circuit of Harris taking in all the beaches, the island museum and historic St. Clement’s church in Rodel before we embark on the Golden route on the rockier east side of the island, where we can stop at a local Harris Tweed producer.

If there is time left, we will drive the long, but absolutely spectacular and very rewarding route to Huishinish and also regularly visit Scalpay

 


Day 31 full day for the Isle of Lewis – as Lewis is massively big and there is a lot to do and see, we have a busy day ahead of us, starting with the largest neolithic Scottish stone circle – the Callanish standing stone circle

We visit Carloway broch , the Gearrannan blackhouse village

and depending on the group’s preferences – offer

scenic touring of the island, its many coastal inlets, peninsulas, crofting communities and stunning vistas – including:

  • West Lewis & Uig and other wild remote, spectacular beaches and cliffs.
  • Berneray
  • the Bhaltos peninsula

 

  • many great beach visits,
  • wild, stunning nature walks
  • time in Stornoway, at the Lews castle museum, Tolsta beach and Tiumpan head lighthouse on a clear day for the best views across the Minch to the mainland and the stunning wild mountainscape of Inverpolly and Assynt.
  • visiting the sights along the Ness peninsula, including Ness lighthouse and its cliffs.

 


Day 4 – How much and what we can still do on Lewis on day 4 is subject to the ferry departure time.

As the ferry terminal is just a 5 minute walk from the centre of Stornoway, it often allows for free time in Stornoway before we start boarding the ferry.

Beautiful relaxed ferry ride – we regularly spot seabirds, seals & cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) – back to Ullapool. On board of the ferry is a restaurant, cafe, bar, an indoor & outdoor viewing area, a shop and other facilities.

Journey south from Ullapool with a few new different stops and a slightly new route.


Berneray (42)

Harris (43)

Scalpay (44)

Lewis (45)

 

Depending on your preferences and interests, the main places that have been agreed and discussed, the overall time we have left after our stops (especially in the winter months with shorter daylight hours), the places listed above are just a few among other nearby options, that we might be travelling through and see, stopping at and/or visiting along the way as on each of our friendly, flexible and personalised tours we maximise and offer you the best tour experience given the conditions on the day (for example if it is pouring down with rain on one side of a mountain range, we believe in offering you the alternative sunny route on the other side of the mountains, etc.)

Subject to availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist for your 3 days+ tour. As there are too many possible places to stay at, we can check room availability for your preferred option at the time of your enquiry/booking.

 

What to bring?


We would be delighted to run this tour as a private, small group tour  (up to 8 people) 



 

Via our various scenic routes via either Oban (see our West Coast itineraries – to Barra and South Uist), Uig (see our Skye itineraries – to Tarbert/Harris) and Ullapool (see our Northwest and Northcoast itineraries – to Stornoway/Lewis),
do we reach the Outer Hebrides by ferry.

The best and most interesting routes are to travel outbound via one route (for example via Ullapool and Stornoway/Lewis) and return back for example from Barra to Oban.

Please note the Outer Hebrides are linked by ferry or causeway south to north:
Lewis-Harris-Bernerary-North Uist-Benbecula-South Uist-Eriskay-Barra

Our Unicorn Tours can include one or more of the islands of the 1,2 and 3 day tours plus:

Mingulay (35)

Vatersay (36)

Barra (37)

Eriskay (38)

South Uist (39)

Benbecula (40)

North Uist (41)

 

during July the coastal machair flowers are in full blossom

 



Each of our tours is very personalised, depending on the interests and preferences of the tour participants,

but also the weather, the time of year (daylight hours) and also subject to any pre-bookings, such as whisky, castles, boat tours or not, so the below is purely an example and no tour will ever be the same and it is very much up to the tour guests and individuals, where there preferences lie – whisky, castle, nature, history, walks, wildlife, etc.:

 

Isle of Lewis & Harris 5 day tour
from Stirling & St. Andrews

(sample past tour)

—-

Day 1 (sample past tour)
Journey to the Isle of Lewis

– Picking up from Stirling & Stirling Uni – travelling along the Ochils to St. Andrews West beach & the Old Golf course & museum for our final pick up
– Start of our 5 day tour after a mini-tour of St. Andrews – crossing the Tay bridge over to Dundee. Through the city of Perth into Highland Perthshire via Birnam (Beatrix Potter exhibition) and Dunkeld & its cathedral heading up north again on the A9 through Victorian Pitlochry and the Garry bridge to Killiecrankie visitor centre for a coffee.
– Restocking our food supplies at the Inverness Tesco before crossing the Kessock bridge across the Beauly & Inner Moray Firth to the Black Isle peninsula/Ross & Cromarty/the North of Scotland.
– After a dramatic climb up the mountains of the interior into the wild and spectacular Northwest Highlands, we stop for a photo at Corrieshalloch gorge.
– We drive along sealoch Broom & Ullapool overlooking Coigach into Assynt and Inverpolly into the world UNESCO Geopark of Northwest Scotland for a few stunning photos, including of Stac Pollaidh.
– We head to Ullapool for some free time before the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry journey from Ullapool through Loch Broom, past the summer isles and across the Minch to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
– After a 45 minute drive from Stornoway to the Otter bunkhouse, we finally settle into our overnight base at the Outer Hebrides for the next 4 nights.

————————-

Day 2 (sample past tour)
First of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion of West Lewis

After a frosty clear night we head towards Timsgarry Community centre with our first view of the Lewis Chessmen set before heading up the disused Aird Uig army base for a short hilltop walk for all round coastal & some cliff top views.
We go for a cliff walk at with great seastack views at Mangerstafh, before heading towards the end of the road at Mealasta with beach, islands, mountain views and sheep and Highland coos nearby.
At Uig beach we walk up the dunes-hill for an all round glorious view of beaches, mountains and the sea.

Back at the hostel we change into warm dry socks,
Before heading up from the Southwest further up to the Northwest in the afternoon:
– Callanish Standing stone circle
– Carloway broch
– A walk along Dalmore beach
– Arnol blackhouses
– The Sheiling
– Barbhas grocery shopping
– Dalbeag beach, rock & seastack view cliff walk
– Gearrannan Blackhouse village from the top
Returning back to the hostel with some in the group joining in on the nearby sunset Bhaltos peninsula circuit with Reef, Bhaltos & Cliff beaches

———————–

Day 3 (sample past tour)
Second of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion to Harris

We are setting off from the Otter bunkhouse at 08.30 am for an hour’s drive south towards from Lewis to Harris.
We drive along Loch Seaforth and cross the high mountains of North Harris.
We stop in the capital Tarbert before driving along the Isle of Harris beaches with lots of photostops.
At Scarista beach we go for a walk.
In the south of Leverburgh (ferry to Berneray on the Uists) we have a stop and go for our daily grocery shopping, before having our lunch at the Rodel pier before exploring historic St. Clements church.
We travel along the golden route and also stop at the Finsbay seals.
Via Tarbert we embark on a truly spectacular, windy and mountainous route to Huisinish, its beach, fjordwalk & welcome wooden hut with coffee – we enjoy the great wild scenery, mountains, sea, islands, wildlife, coos waterfalls and Amhuinnsuidhe Castle.
Via the North Harris Mountains & Loch Seaforth we journey back to Lewis.

———————————–

Day 4 (sample past tour)
Third of 3 day full days on the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Day excursion of the south lochs seafjords & Tolsta beaches on the eastside of the Isle of Lewis

On this windy Easter Sunday, we are leaving the Otter Bunkhouse & driving to the South Lochs/southern fjords of the Isle of Lewis – Cromore, Marbhig viewpont, Grabhair fjord, Leumrabhagh & Orinsay for our picknick lunch, fjordwalk & stunning coastal, fjord, islands and sheep & lamb viewing.

Via Leurbost we head towards Stornoway & along the northern beaches with views towards the Eye peninsula with its lighthouse & the mountains of the Northwest Highlands of the Scottish mainland in the far distance across the Minch, we are heading to Tolsta beach & the seastack beach beyond during low tide surrounded on both sides by cliffs for a glorious long golden beachwalk before heading back to the Otter bunkhouse during the onset of the stormy evening rain.

——————————————–

Day 5 (sample past tour)
Departure day from the Isle of Lewis & Harris back to the Scottish mainland,
down south to Stirling & St. Andrews again

It’s an early 5am depart to catch the 7am ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool. After a stunning ferry ride and drive through the mountains from the Northwest to the Northeast, we go for a walk along the Silverbridge waterfalls.
In Strathpeffer with its Victorian flair and the home of the MacKenzie clan, we meet some mythological figures, before driving the Dingwall, the capital of Ross & Cromarty.
We head across the Cromarty bridge to the Black Isle peninsula, across the Kessock & the Moray & Beauly Firth bridge south again into the Cairngorms nationalpark.
After the Newtonmore Folk museum we go on a scenic drive before our Co-op shopping.
Once again in Highland Perthshire we have a photostop at the Loch Faskally bridge before getting caught up in the southbound Easter traffic at Perth.
We have a quick drive-by at the Gleneagles golf resort & hotel before saying good-bye to our tour guests in Stirling, the Uni & St. Andrews.

Tour itinerary

Each private tour is personalised to suit the interests, activities & preferences of each group

Private tour price for the 8 passenger seater mini-bus & driver/tourguide, i.e. the tour price for a private group of min. 1 and max 8 passengers

4 day tour prices – Unicorn Tours


Personalised & private small group tours all over Scotland (100+ itineraries: ½ – 7 day tour options & discounted multi-day tours to choose from) – with a set daily tour price for our tour guide driver & 8 passenger seater mini-bus (due to the fixed same overall cost for up to 8 passengers, the cheapest per person price for a private small group tour is if 8, 7, 6 or 5 are travelling together to share the set fixed daily cost, which is the same total cost, no matter if there are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 passengers on a private mini-bus tour)

All of these private & personalised, small group tours of Scotland

are available on any available green calendar days for private tours

5, 6, 7 days 4 days 3 days
2 days Scottish destinations/Tour extensions & add ons 1 day
Activities, special interests & tour themes Walking tours ½ & short day tours

 

 

 

 

 

  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 1/2 day tour on any available green calendar day.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 1 day tour on any available green calendar day.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 2 day tour on any 2 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 2 day tours will already show a 2.5% discount.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 3 day tour on any 3 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 3 day tours will already show a 5% discount.
  • Choose any private & personalised tailormade 4 day tour on any 4 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 4 day tours will already include a 7.5% discount.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 5 day tour on any 5 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 5 day tours will already include a 10% discount.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 6 day tour on any 6 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 6 day tours is discounted by 12.5%.
  • Choose any private personalised & tailormade 7 day tour on any 7 consecutive available green calendar days. Any private 7 day tour prices already show the 15% discount. 

Additionally from September to May there is a 12.5% student discount, which also applies to seniors over 65 and to children up to 17 travelling as part of a family group.

 

 

Extra costs & ferry info (if applicable)

*** for those in your private group, who can’t make it for the full 4 days – Lewis & Harris tour

(& for those prefer to fly to/from the island quicker

without the need to catch the ferry and include the Scottish mainland tour part to the ferry port)

***

  • We are happy to pick you up from any of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminals (Stornoway/Lewis & Tarbert/Harris), if you make your own way to either Ullapool or Uig/Skye ferry port (to where you have rail/bus connections
  • We are happy to pick you up from Stornoway / Isle of Lewis airport

  • We are also happy to drop you off at any Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal (Stornoway/Lewis or Tarbert/Harris) from where you can get back to the Scottish mainland (either via Ullapool or Uig/Skye which both have onward Scottish Citylink connections)
  • We are also happy to drop you off at Stornoway / Isle of Lewis airport

 


 

Our standard tours start from and finish back at the Scottish mainland

 

Pick up / drop off points for private small group 4 Days Tours, from anywhere as it is your own private tour:

  • within the Stirling/Uni area
  • within the Forth Valley area
  • from within the Scottish Central belt, Edinburgh & Glasgow included
  • from within the Dundee, St. Andrews & Perth area
  • from most locations throughout Scotland

+

  • from places listed along or nearby the route and the stops of this particular 4 Days Tour

 



On our  Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours multi-day tours throughout Scotland, we drop you off at your accommodation at the end of the day touring with us.

In the morning before we start our new touring day, we pick you back up from your accommodation.


Accommodation on the Isle of Lewis

Accommodation on the Isle of Lewis

On our  Coast, sea Highlands & Islands – Unicorn Tours multi-day tours throughout Scotland, we drop you off at your accommodation at the end of the day touring with us.

In the morning before we start our new touring day, we pick you back up from your accommodation.

plus many more places to stay at

 

Tour links

(1) Some of your private tour options in the Lewis (& Great Bernera) & Harris (& Scalpay) region, including day tour options to Berneray & the Uists (N. & S. Uist, Benbecula & Eriskay

(2) Isle of Lewis

(3) Isle of Harris



(1)

Some of your private tour options

in the Lewis (& Great Bernera) & Harris (& Scalpay) region,

including day tour options to Berneray & the Uists (N. & S. Uist, Benbecula & Eriskay)

 



(2)

Isle of Lewis

The Northern lights on the Outer Hebrides / Isle of Lewis & Harris Easter tour – Coast, sea Highlands & Islands- Unicorn Tours throughout Scotland

Isle of Lewis & Great Bernera

Isle of Lewis – link – Caledonian MacBrayne ferries

Isle of Lewis.com – info

Isle of Lewis – Scottish islands passport

Great Bernera – Scottish islands passport


Photolinks of some of our past tours to the

Isle of Lewis:

Journey north via Highland Perthshire – the Cairngorms – past Inverness & the Black Isle via Rogie Falls & Corrieshalloch gorge to our ferryport Ullapool to catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis/Stonoway (in reverse from that facebook page, where we had come from further up via the Northcoast & the Northern Isles before)

Loch Broom, near Ullapool – Far Northwest coast – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Ullapool views from the ferry departing to Stornoway

 


Tolsta beach northside view – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 4 – Tolsta beach views – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Traigh Ghearadha/Garry Beach – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 

Land struggle memorial – Northeast Lewis (Grias & Coll raiders)

Gress beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

 


 

Callanish standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Gearrannan Blackhouse village & museum – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Carloway pier – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalbeg beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dun Carloway

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

 


 

Seacliffs on West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mangurstadh walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Seacliffs along the West Lewis coastline – Unicorn Tours

Replicas of the 12th century Viking walrus ivory Lewis/Uig chessmen set

Mangurstadh coastal walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mealasta – West Lewis with views including North Harris, Scarp & the Flannan Isles out west – Unicorn Tours

Uig beach – West of Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Aird Uig/Gallan head – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Views from Geisiader – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Einacleit – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Reef beach – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

Bhaltos – the community owned peninsula & the land struggle monument – West of the Isle of Lewis

Beach at Cliff – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

 


 

Bosta beach walk – Great Bernera (an island to the west of Lewis) – Unicorn Tours

Isle of Great Bernera via Bridge from West Lewis & Isle of Valasay via bridge from Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours

The current/old & the still being built future bridge from West Lewis to the Island of Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours


Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Iolaire memorial of the 181 returning soldiers after WWI drowning on 1st January 1919 in sight of homeshores 1 mile off Stornoway – Isle of Lewis

Lews castle & Island museum – Stornoway – Isle of Lewis -Unicorn Tours

Arrival into Stornoway/Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – ( p.s.: the conjoined island of Lewis & Harris being the third largest British Island after the island of Britain and the island of Ireland)

 


Rubha Airnis/Arnish point with views of Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Grimshader – Isle of Lewis


Leumrabhagh (east) views across Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Odhairn views from Grabhair — South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

More views of South Lewis

Loch Eireasort views from Cabharstadh/Cavarsta – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Grabhair – Loch Odhairn – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Calbost & the old settlement – Isle of Lewis – Southern lochs – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours’ videos

Marbhig – Southern lochs – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg views on the steep road down to Leumrabhagh & Orasaigh – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Cromore – Loch Eireasort – South Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Views from Ranais across the sealochs of Loch Grimshader, Leurbost & Eireasort & its islands – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Eisgein/Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Coastal walk – Unicorn Tours

Ceann Shiphoirt/ Head of Loch Seaforth – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Traditional sheiling – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Port Ness – Northern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Arnol Blackhouse – NW Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Shawbost beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Barvas coast – Northwest coast on the Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


Trumpan lighthouse – An Rubha/Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – 10 minute sunrise before the sun disappears below low clouds – views from Cape Wrath to Coigach (Achiltinuie near Ullapool) – on a clear day covering the entire Scottish West & NW coast as far south as the Trotternish peninsula on Skye

Bayble Bay & An Rubha/The Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 


Final Isle of Lewis beach walk before tomorrow”s early Stornoway to Ullapool ferry


Calmac ferry from the Isle of Lewis crossing the Minch with island, mountain & coastal views of the summer isles, Ben More Coigach, Loch Broome & Ullapool along the way – Unicorn Tours

Western Isles – August 2019 – Unicorn Tours



Visit Scotland Isle of Lewis & Harris

Harris & Lewis – explore.co.uk



(3)

Isle of Harris

Isle of Harris & Scalpay

Isle of Harris – link – Caledonian MacBrayne ferries

Isle of Harris – Scottish islands passport

Scalpay – Scottish islands passport


Explore Harris

Harris & Scalpay

Harris – See & Do

Hebrides people visitor centre

Huisinis gateway

Huisinis – Hebridean whale trail

Isle of Lewis & Harris

Luskentyre sands – Isle of Harris – Visit Scotland

North Harris – Eagle observatory

North Harris – Outer Hebrides

North Harris Trust

Rodel – St. Clements church

Scalpay & Harris

Scalpay – Outer Hebrides

Scarista – Visit Scotland

Seilebost – Harris

Seilebost – Visit Scotland

Tarbert – Harris

Tarbert – Harris distillery

The Golden Road – Isle of Harris



A few photolinks of some of our past tours to the Isle of Lewis & Harris:


On our way to Ullapool before our Caledonian MacBrayne ferry journey to the conjoined Isle of Lewis & Harris

Journey north via Highland Perthshire – the Cairngorms – past Inverness & the Black Isle via Rogie Falls & Corrieshalloch gorge to our ferryport Ullapool to catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis/Stonoway (in reverse from that facebook page, where we had come from further up via the Northcoast & the Northern Isles before)

Loch Broom, near Ullapool – Far Northwest coast – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Ullapool views from the ferry departing to Stornoway

 


Tolsta beach northside view – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 4 – Tolsta beach views – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Traigh Ghearadha/Garry Beach – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 

Land struggle memorial – Northeast Lewis (Grias & Coll raiders)

Gress beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

 


 

Callanish standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Gearrannan Blackhouse village & museum – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Carloway pier – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalbeg beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dun Carloway

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

 


 

Seacliffs on West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mangurstadh walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Seacliffs along the West Lewis coastline – Unicorn Tours

Replicas of the 12th century Viking walrus ivory Lewis/Uig chessmen set

Mangurstadh coastal walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mealasta – West Lewis with views including North Harris, Scarp & the Flannan Isles out west – Unicorn Tours

Uig beach – West of Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Aird Uig/Gallan head – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Views from Geisiader – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Einacleit – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Reef beach – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

Bhaltos – the community owned peninsula & the land struggle monument – West of the Isle of Lewis

Beach at Cliff – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

 


 

Bosta beach walk – Great Bernera (an island to the west of Lewis) – Unicorn Tours

Isle of Great Bernera via Bridge from West Lewis & Isle of Valasay via bridge from Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours

The current/old & the still being built future bridge from West Lewis to the Island of Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours


Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Iolaire memorial of the 181 returning soldiers after WWI drowning on 1st January 1919 in sight of homeshores 1 mile off Stornoway – Isle of Lewis

Lews castle & Island museum – Stornoway – Isle of Lewis -Unicorn Tours

Arrival into Stornoway/Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – ( p.s.: the conjoined island of Lewis & Harris being the third largest British Island after the island of Britain and the island of Ireland)

 


Rubha Airnis/Arnish point with views of Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Grimshader – Isle of Lewis


Leumrabhagh (east) views across Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Odhairn views from Grabhair — South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

More views of South Lewis

Loch Eireasort views from Cabharstadh/Cavarsta – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Grabhair – Loch Odhairn – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Calbost & the old settlement – Isle of Lewis – Southern lochs – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours’ videos

Marbhig – Southern lochs – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg views on the steep road down to Leumrabhagh & Orasaigh – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Cromore – Loch Eireasort – South Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Views from Ranais across the sealochs of Loch Grimshader, Leurbost & Eireasort & its islands – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Eisgein/Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Coastal walk – Unicorn Tours

Ceann Shiphoirt/ Head of Loch Seaforth – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Traditional sheiling – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Port Ness – Northern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Arnol Blackhouse – NW Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Shawbost beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Barvas coast – Northwest coast on the Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


Trumpan lighthouse – An Rubha/Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – 10 minute sunrise before the sun disappears below low clouds – views from Cape Wrath to Coigach (Achiltinuie near Ullapool) – on a clear day covering the entire Scottish West & NW coast as far south as the Trotternish peninsula on Skye

Bayble Bay & An Rubha/The Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 


Final Isle of Lewis beach walk before tomorrow”s early Stornoway to Ullapool ferry


Calmac ferry from the Isle of Lewis crossing the Minch with island, mountain & coastal views of the summer isles, Ben More Coigach, Loch Broome & Ullapool along the way – Unicorn Tours

Western Isles – August 2019 – Unicorn Tours




Highlights of the Isle of Harris

  • Scarista beach
  • the serenity of wide open spaces between the sea, heaven & earth
  • spring awakening, flowers, lambs
  • the road to Huisinis
  • the views along hundreds of miles of coastline
  • the golden road with new stunning coastal views around every new corner
  • lots more..

 

North Harris & Loch Siophort/Seaforth – Unicorn Tours – May 2022

 

Tarbert – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

Scarista beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Westcoast beaches – May 2022

Horgabost & Seilebost with views across to Luskentyre beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

 

Leverburgh – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

The “golden” road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Eastcoast/Golden route – on a dreich & rainy day – May 2022

Finsbay seals at low tide – Golden road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Rodel to Finsbay – Golden road – Isle of Harris

Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours before the Covid pandemic

 

 


Eilean Siar – Western Isles – Eriskay – Uists – Berneray – Harris & Lewis – www.unicorntours.co.uk – June 2019

Western Isles 2019

16th to 19th July 2019 – Lewis. Harris. Great Bernera. Berneray. North Uist. Grimsay. Flodday. Benbecula. South Uist. Eriskay. Barra. Vatersay

Photos 79 = Eileanan Siar, Outer Hebrides, Western Isles tour to Barra, the Uists, Harris & Lewis + Western Ross (incl. Applecross) www.unicorntours.co.uk 5-11 April 2017

Outer Hebrides, Skye & the NW Highlands

Photos 86/II = www.unicorntours.co.uk Outer Hebrides & the NW of Scotland 18 – 22 June 2017

Skye & Outer Hebrides 2017

 

Tour options

There are 100s of different tour option depending on the interests, preference and priorities and emphasis of the tour guests.

  • A trip to Lewis can also include a visit to Great Bernera, which is connected to Lewis by bridge.
  • A trip to Harris can also include a visit to Scalpay, which is connected to Harris by bridge.
  • etc.

 


Information about tour options for a private tour in general


Private & personalised tailormade tours to suit your group’s preferences

This is your very own private tour for you and your friends and family members of up to 8 people travelling on this tour together.

Before any private tour, we always discuss with you and check for your must-see stops, interests, hobbies, activities, preferences, priorities and any special requests you might have and we ask you about your preferred pace of travel so to tailor make and personalise the tour to suit your needs.

The route, the stops and the itinerary we give on our website for any private tour are for information and guidance only, as in the end it is you, who decides, what you wish to do, where you wish to stop and what you wish to do and see.

Any private tour itinerary can be shortened, extended or amended, if you wish to do so.


Flexibility on private tours

We also like to keep things flexible as our experience is that there are places, once you arrive and see them, you just fall in love with and wish to spend more time and longer.

whereas some other times we arrive at a place and they are different from what you had expected and you are ok to have a shorter stop and to move on quicker.

Flexibility is also good as on a beautiful gorgeous blue sunny day when all colours in nature and the landscapes are sparkling and you have clear and amazing far distant visibility and the scenery and places are at their best, you probably prefer to spend more time outdoors, while on a stormy, wet, dark, grey and cold day, you are likely to prefer more indoor venues during your stops.


Travelling at your own pace on private tours

Some guests are on a whirlwind tour with little time and wish to pack as much into a short time as possible and are ok with just short photo stops,

whereas other tour guests prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace to be able to explore and discover and soak it all in and leaving the tour with a memorable and lasting experience.

All of this is possible within the constraints of your chosen route, the distances involved

and during the winter season the shorter daylight hours we have.


Lunch breaks on private tours

Some guests put a lot of emphasis on a good quality lunch in a good atmospheric restaurant and we can prebook lunch venues,

whereas other guests are ok to just stop at a supermarket for a sandwich to eat on the go

or just need a short lunch stop for some light snack to eat.


Your tour options on any private tour are unlimited and endless

Same place, same route – but one one private tour, the private tour guests would want to visit the castle, while on another tour at the same place, they want a whisky tour instead and yet again same place on the next tour the private tour guests, want to just go for a walk on the beach there, while another time at the same place, they just want to go shopping, visit the museum or stop at the golf course – so same place, but on each private tour at this very same place, we visit different places and the itinerary, stops and experience is different. 

As this is a private & personalised tour to suit your interests, preferences, hobbies and activities, it is up to you and we can either offer our normal tour itinerary for the location with all the many local highlights and sights and be flexible depending on the season, the weather, the time we have and also be fully flexible during the tour (as some places, you will love and stay longer and at other places you come to, you might wish to just take a photo and then leave, so in the end you might on the day of the tour decide to stay longer or shorter at some of the places we visit or you might still decide to add in some additional stops and places you had not thought about before)  and also partially or fully adjust it to suit your interests and preferences or entirely turn it into a specialist interest tour “a whisky tour”, “a castle, cathedral, historic sights tours”, a “walking tour”, a “nature & wildlife tour”, a “golf tour”, an “activity tour”, etc. depending on what you request (also see our full range of  Activities, special interests & tour themes.)

If it says on the tour itinerary, the tour starts in A and ends in Z and on our journey from A to Z we are travelling and can be stopping at B, C, D, E, F…… X & Y,

it might be the same route on every such private tour, but with every private tour group and individuals, it could still be an entirely & very different tour after all,

as there are so many different special interests & tour themes

so that the main focus of some private tour groups could be

  • architecture & charming towns & villages
  • castles, history
  • child-friendly stops
  • churches, abbeys & religious sites
  • dining & and having a great lunch eating out
  • events based, such as visiting the Highland games while on the tour with us
  • family history & genealogy
  • gardens, flowers & parks
  • golf, football or other sports’ venues
  • literature, film or movie fictional based tour, i.e. visiting filming locations of Outlander, Harry Potter, Shetland crime series, Downtown Abbey. etc.
  • nature & wildlife, seabirds, puffins or whale
  • watching
  • the scenery, the coast & beaches
  • snow and wintry landscapes
  • tourist steam train in conjunction with our tour
  • walking
  • waterfalls
  • whisky distilleries, gin and breweries
  • etc.

Pick ups & drop offs anywhere on private tours

As mentioned in the pick up section, on a private tour we can pick up from anywhere and drop off anywhere and offer staggered free pick ups and drop offs, which are dependent on the distance from our Alloa home base near Stirling. Our home base is 30 miles from Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth in the heart of the Scottish Central belt:

  •  for short & half day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 15 miles of our Alloa home base (which includes Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)
  •  for 1 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 35 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth)
  •  for 2, 3 & 4 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 50 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Dundee, St. Andrews & the entire Scottish Central belt)
  • for 5, 6 & 7 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 75 miles of our Alloa home base

Additionally as stated we sometimes offer free pick ups for places on the route to our destination, even though they might exceed the free mileage zone, so for example for a West Coast tour and we need to head westbound anyway for the tour, we could be pick up at locations west free of charge, depending on the exact route and distances involved.

(During a few weeks every year we are also Shetland, Orkney, Hebridean Isles or regionally based

and the free pick ups will then be based from that local area, such as on the Shetland, Orkney or on some of the Hebridean Isles for example.)


Accommodation on multi-day tours is your choice

Some of our guests are budget travellers, whereas others are luxurious travellers, while others chose a mid-range 3* hotel.

We are happy to give you tips, links and info about your accommodation options for the towns and villages we are staying overnight, but in the end it is up to you, where you would like to stay, at which hotel or guesthouse and for which price.

However much or however little you wish to spend for your overnight accommodation is your choice.

On a private tour we will pick you up from any accommodation in the morning and in the evening drop you off at any accommodation of your choice for your overnight tour accommodation and and chosen location.

 

Free time & activities
Tour pick up/start, drop off/end & joining options near to & along our tour route

Private 4 day tour pick ups & drop offs anywhere throughout Scotland, incl. the Hebridean, Orkney & Shetland Isles

Tour booking

To enquire about this tour or to book please email contact@unicorntours.co.uk


As this will be your very own tailormade, personalised, flexible private small group tour, we will discuss:
  • Your preferred travel dates
  • Your preferred route
  • Based on your preferred route, we will give a choice of overnight locations to stay
  • Once you have chosen your preferred overnight location, we would like to know about your preferred type of accommodation, any special requests or a price range and your preferred roomtypes
  • Based on your choice, for example hotel with * ** *** **** ***** star rating, guesthouse/B&B, self-catering or budget hostel accommodation, etc. for each overnight location, we can then give you suggestions and also check the room availability for each night

 


 

Accommodation
  • Unicorn Tours is happy to assist you with your questions regarding your accommodation & accommodation booking
  • The general rule is that you should then book your accommodation yourself, let us know where you are staying during which night, as it is there that we will drop you off at the end of the tour day and pick you up on the beginning of the next tour day

  • The choice of your accommodation, how much or how little you wish to spend for your overnight accommodation is unconnected and separate from your tour with Unicorn Tours throughout the daytime – for the same day and tour, we have picked up guests from 5* hotels and guests from budget hostels, but the tour experience during the daytime with Unicorn Tours remains the same.

 


 

  • When ferries or any other additional costs are involved, we also want to make sure, you are happy with those

 


 

Once the tour details, including

  • tour itinerary & special requests
  • pick up/drop off locations & timings
  • tour duration, passenger numbers and price
  • etc.
  • have been discussed and agreed
  • and you are happy to proceed with the booking
  • we send you an invoice which allows for payment by Paypal / card or by BACS bank transfer

This tour is for a private small group of up to 8 people.

We will personalise & tailor make this flexible tour itinerary to suit your preferences, interests & requirements.

This tour is available on any green calendar day

except during our Scottish Islands based tour days

for a few weeks each year.


Once you wish to book, we send you an invoice with a payment link and also allowing for a UK & international bank transfer.

Once you have paid, we send you your tour confirmation and will mark this day as “red” unavailable/booked out in our tours availability calendar


We can pick up from anywhere, but for a 4 day tour the free pick up zone is within 50 miles from our Alloa home base (which includes does Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, St. Andrews & places throughout the entire Scottish Central belt and anywhere in between, such Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)

Pick ups & drop offs anywhere on private tours

As mentioned in the pick up section, on a private tour we can pick up from anywhere and drop off anywhere and offer staggered free pick ups and drop offs, which are dependent on the distance from our Alloa home base near Stirling. Our home base is 30 miles from Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth in the heart of the Scottish Central belt:

  •  for short & half day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 15 miles of our Alloa home base (which includes Stirling, Falkirk, Dunfermline & Gleneagles)
  •  for 1 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 35 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Edinburgh, Glasgow & Perth)
  •  for 2, 3 & 4 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 50 miles of our Alloa home base (which additionally includes Dundee, St. Andrews & the entire Scottish Central belt)
  • for 5, 6 & 7 day tours the free pick up/drop off zone is within 75 miles of our Alloa home base

Additionally as stated we sometimes offer free pick ups for places on the route to our destination, even though they might exceed the free mileage zone, so for example for a West Coast tour and we need to head westbound anyway for the tour, we could be pick up at locations west free of charge, depending on the exact route and distances involved.

(During a few weeks every year we are also Shetland, Orkney, Hebridean Isles or regionally based

and the free pick ups will then be based from that local area, such as on the Shetland, Orkney or on some of the Hebridean Isles for example.)

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email  contact@unicorntours.co.uk to discuss further

 

 

 

 

4D#1 – Lewis & Harris – ultimate, awesome & timeless wild nature – Hebridean Escapade on Scotland’s largest island- 4 day tour

Outer Hebrides tours – Harris, Lewis 

4 days+ tour to explore & experience

for your private, flexible tailor-made small group sample itinerary 4D#1


Highlights of the Isle of Lewis

  • the journey into the northwestern Highlands towards the ferry port of Ullapool
  • the ferry journey past many isles and through Loch Broom across the Minch
  • Stunning great many crystal clear lonely vast many beaches on the conjoined Isles of Harris and Lewis
  • the Callanish Standing stone circle

  • the seacliffs on Western Harris
  • dramatic seacliff walks
  • hundreds of miles of coastline on the conjoined islands of Harris and Lewis with new spectular views around every corner
  • lots of nature walks
  • wildlife spotting
  • Carloway broch, Gearrannan Black house village, Stornoway harbour, Lews castle & island museum
  • the serenity of wide open spaces between the sea, heaven & earth
  • spring awakening, flowers, lambs
  • the views along hundreds of miles of coastline
  • lots more..
On our way to Ullapool before our Caledonian MacBrayne ferry journey to the Isle of Lewis & Harris

Loch Broom, near Ullapool – Far Northwest coast – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Ullapool views from the ferry departing to Stornoway

 


Tolsta beach northside view – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 4 – Tolsta beach views – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 1 with Traigh (beach) Ghiordail views

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Traigh Ghearadha/Garry Beach – NE Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 3 – seastack views & getting closer to Tolsta beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Tolsta head circular clifftop walk – stage 2 around Tolsta head – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 

Land struggle memorial – Northeast Lewis (Grias & Coll raiders)

Gress beach – Northeast Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

 


 

Callanish standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Gearrannan Blackhouse village & museum – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalmore beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Carloway pier – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dalbeg beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Dun Carloway

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

Callanish III neolithic standing stone circle – NW Lewis

 


 

Seacliffs on West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mangurstadh walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Seacliffs along the West Lewis coastline – Unicorn Tours

Replicas of the 12th century Viking walrus ivory Lewis/Uig chessmen set

Mangurstadh coastal walk – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Mealasta – West Lewis with views including North Harris, Scarp & the Flannan Isles out west – Unicorn Tours

Uig beach – West of Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Aird Uig/Gallan head – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Views from Geisiader – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Einacleit – West Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Reef beach – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

Bhaltos – the community owned peninsula & the land struggle monument – West of the Isle of Lewis

Beach at Cliff – Bhaltos peninsula – West of Isle of Lewis

 


 

Bosta beach walk – Great Bernera (an island to the west of Lewis) – Unicorn Tours

Isle of Great Bernera via Bridge from West Lewis & Isle of Valasay via bridge from Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours

The current/old & the still being built future bridge from West Lewis to the Island of Great Bernera – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours


Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Iolaire memorial of the 181 returning soldiers after WWI drowning on 1st January 1919 in sight of homeshores 1 mile off Stornoway – Isle of Lewis

Lews castle & Island museum – Stornoway – Isle of Lewis -Unicorn Tours

Arrival into Stornoway/Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – ( p.s.: the conjoined island of Lewis & Harris being the third largest British Island after the island of Britain and the island of Ireland)

 


Rubha Airnis/Arnish point with views of Stornoway & harbour – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Grimshader – Isle of Lewis


Leumrabhagh (east) views across Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Odhairn views from Grabhair — South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

More views of South Lewis

Loch Eireasort views from Cabharstadh/Cavarsta – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Grabhair – Loch Odhairn – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg from Orasaigh with views of Eilean Liubhaird & the Shiant Islands/Na h-Eileanan Mora – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours’ videos

Calbost & the old settlement – Isle of Lewis – Southern lochs – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours’ videos

Marbhig – Southern lochs – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Loch Sealg views on the steep road down to Leumrabhagh & Orasaigh – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Cromore – Loch Eireasort – South Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Views from Ranais across the sealochs of Loch Grimshader, Leurbost & Eireasort & its islands – Southern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Leumrabhagh west overlooking Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Eisgein/Loch Sealg – South Lewis – Coastal walk – Unicorn Tours

Ceann Shiphoirt/ Head of Loch Seaforth – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


 

Traditional sheiling – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Port Ness – Northern Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Arnol Blackhouse – NW Lewis – Unicorn Unicorn Tours – 8 seater Highland Tours

Shawbost beach – NW Lewis – Unicorn Tours

Barvas coast – Northwest coast on the Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours


Trumpan lighthouse – An Rubha/Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – 10 minute sunrise before the sun disappears below low clouds – views from Cape Wrath to Coigach (Achiltinuie near Ullapool) – on a clear day covering the entire Scottish West & NW coast as far south as the Trotternish peninsula on Skye

Bayble Bay & An Rubha/The Eye peninsula – Isle of Lewis – Unicorn Tours

 


Final Isle of Lewis beach walk before tomorrow”s early Stornoway to Ullapool ferry


Calmac ferry from the Isle of Lewis crossing the Minch with island, mountain & coastal views of the summer isles, Ben More Coigach, Loch Broome & Ullapool along the way – Unicorn Tours



Highlights of the Isle of Harris

  • Scarista beach
  • the serenity of wide open spaces between the sea, heaven & earth
  • spring awakening, flowers, lambs
  • the road to Huisinis
  • the views along hundreds of miles of coastline
  • the golden road with new stunning coastal views around every new corner
  • lots more..

 

North Harris & Loch Siophort/Seaforth – Unicorn Tours – May 2022

 

Tarbert – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

Scarista beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Horgabost & Seilebost with views across to Luskentyre beach – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Westcoast beaches – May 2022

Leverburgh – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

 

The “golden” road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Harris – Eastcoast/Golden route – on a dreich & rainy day – May 2022

Finsbay seals at low tide – Golden road – Isle of Harris – Unicorn Tours

Rodel to Finsbay – Golden road – Isle of Harris

 

 



The Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris are conjoined and are one single island.

After the island of Britain and the island of Ireland they make up the 3rd largest British island and are massively large, a land apart with its own unique history, lifestyle, traditions and lots of awesome sights and distances longer than you might expect (90 miles north to south / 2 hours non-stop driving from Leverburgh in the south to the Port of Ness in the north – just on the main road only).


Ultimate, awesome & timeless Lewis & Harris – Hebridean Escapade on Scotland’s largest island – 4 day tour

Basic route:

– Your pick up
– Scottish mainland
– Ullapool – ferry – Stornoway / Isle of Lewis

– Isle of Lewis & Harris tour

– return


Price for a 4 day tour

Price for 4 day tour – Unicorn Tours

(Peak season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £153 / standard season, based on a group of 8, price per person starts from £127 for 4 days for the tour)

plus

ferries

(Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway/Lewis – footpassenger return, Unicorn Tours pays for the vehicle rate)

accommodation (option of low budget to 5*), food, entrance fees & your personal expenses


Day 1 – Scenic journey with stops

Route to Outer Hebrides, Lewis and Harris via Ullapool, Corrieshalloch Gorge and Rogie Falls.
depending on route request, time, group, weather, places near Inverness, such as Channonry Point (dolphins), Culloden Moor or Clava Cairns could possibly be included

to our ferry in Ullapool – stunning 2.5 hours Calmac ferry ride through Loch Broom (on the Westcoasts all sealochs & fjord are called “loch” just as an inland “loch”) and past the Summer isles to Stornoway/Isle of Lewis/Outer Hebrides.

Welcome to Lewis !

How much and what we can still do on Lewis on day 1 is subject to the ferry arrival time.


 

Day 21 full day for the Isle of Harris – It takes one hour to travel from Stornoway/Lewis to Tarbert/Harris and we will cross the wild rugged mountains of North Harris. We do a full circuit of Harris taking in all the beaches, the island museum and historic St. Clement’s church in Rodel before we embark on the Golden route on the rockier east side of the island, where we can stop at a local Harris Tweed producer.

If there is time left, we will drive the long, but absolutely spectacular and very rewarding route to Huishinish and also regularly visit Scalpay

 


Day 31 full day for the Isle of Lewis – as Lewis is massively big and there is a lot to do and see, we have a busy day ahead of us, starting with the largest neolithic Scottish stone circle – the Callanish standing stone circle

We visit Carloway broch , the Gearrannan blackhouse village

and depending on the group’s preferences – offer

scenic touring of the island, its many coastal inlets, peninsulas, crofting communities and stunning vistas – including:

  • West Lewis & Uig and other wild remote, spectacular beaches and cliffs.
  • Berneray
  • the Bhaltos peninsula

 

  • many great beach visits,
  • wild, stunning nature walks
  • time in Stornoway, at the Lews castle museum, Tolsta beach and Tiumpan head lighthouse on a clear day for the best views across the Minch to the mainland and the stunning wild mountainscape of Inverpolly and Assynt.
  • visiting the sights along the Ness peninsula, including Ness lighthouse and its cliffs.

 


Day 4 – How much and what we can still do on Lewis on day 4 is subject to the ferry departure time.

As the ferry terminal is just a 5 minute walk from the centre of Stornoway, it often allows for free time in Stornoway before we start boarding the ferry.

Beautiful relaxed ferry ride – we regularly spot seabirds, seals & cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) – back to Ullapool. On board of the ferry is a restaurant, cafe, bar, an indoor & outdoor viewing area, a shop and other facilities.

Journey south from Ullapool with a few new different stops and a slightly new route.


Berneray (42)

Harris (43)

Scalpay (44)

Lewis (45)

Lewis & Harris tour photos up to 2018 only

 

Depending on your preferences and interests, the main places that have been agreed and discussed, the overall time we have left after our stops (especially in the winter months with shorter daylight hours), the places listed above are just a few among other nearby options, that we might be travelling through and see, stopping at and/or visiting along the way as on each of our friendly, flexible and personalised tours we maximise and offer you the best tour experience given the conditions on the day (for example if it is pouring down with rain on one side of a mountain range, we believe in offering you the alternative sunny route on the other side of the mountains, etc.)

Subject to availability possible overnight (hostel, bed & breakfast, hotel, camping) options do all exist for your 3 days+ tour. As there are too many possible places to stay at, we can check room availability for your preferred option at the time of your enquiry/booking.

 

What to bring?



 

Via our various scenic routes via either Oban (see our West Coast itineraries – to Barra and South Uist), Uig (see our Skye itineraries – to Tarbert/Harris) and Ullapool (see our Northwest and Northcoast itineraries – to Stornoway/Lewis),
do we reach the Outer Hebrides by ferry.

The best and most interesting routes are to travel outbound via one route (for example via Ullapool and Stornoway/Lewis) and return back for example from Barra to Oban.

Please note the Outer Hebrides are linked by ferry or causeway south to north:
Lewis-Harris-Bernerary-North Uist-Benbecula-South Uist-Eriskay-Barra

Our Unicorn Tours can include one or more of the islands of the 1,2 and 3 day tours plus:

Mingulay (35)

Vatersay (36)

Barra (37)

Eriskay (38)

South Uist (39)

Benbecula (40)

North Uist (41)

 

during July the coastal machair flowers are in full blossom