Western Isles Wildlife

— Summer in the Outer Hebrides

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Highlights

Visit 10 islands on the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Skye
Enjoy Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owls
Experience the machair in full bloom
Breeding Red- and Black-throated Divers
Otters, Common and Grey Seals and Red Deer
Journey on two of the best ferry routes in Europe for whales and dolphins
Beach-combing on dazzling white sandy beaches
Two guides: expert husband & wife team, Rachael & Dan Brown

Common Dolphins are possible on our ferry journeys

Overview

The Western Isles, or Outer Hebrides as they are also known, flank the western fringe of Scotland buffeting the force of the Atlantic from the mainland. They are a haven for wildlife and scenically spectacular. Our tour journeys the length of these magnificent islands taking in the very best they have to offer at the peak time of year and is rounded off by journeying through the spectacular Isle of Skye. From towering cliffs and huge seabird colonies to Caribbean-like turquoise sandy bays and vast swathes of flowers across the machair, this tour will be a sensory overload crammed full of wildlife.

Our journey starts and ends with ferry crossings that navigate the richest area of sea for whales and dolphins in the northeast Atlantic. We should encounter Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, Minke Whale and Harbour Porpoise and with luck also Fin and Humpback Whale, Risso’s and White-beaked Dolphin; there’s even a chance of Orca and Basking Shark.

On the islands, the diverse mix of moorland, grassland and wetland is ideal for a plethora of exciting species. Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls should be hunting over the moorland and grassland and we will check the lochs for Red- and Black-throated Divers and Red-necked Phalarope. Otters are widespread around all coasts and sea lochs and both species of seal are common. The low-key crofting means that rich meadows are still home to many farmland birds including Corn Bunting, Twite and tens of Skylarks. We should also hear or maybe even see a Corncrake.

At this time of year the machair, the rich sandy habitat, will be ablaze with flowers and we will take time to enjoy it and look for some of the areas rarer species including the very impressive Great Yellow Bumblebee and orchids such as Frog Orchid and Irish Ladies Tresses.

A visit to the Outer Hebrides wouldn’t be complete without taking in the rich history of the 5,000 year old Calanais Standing Stones and the Dun Carloway Iron age Broch on the Isle of Lewis. Explore the mountainous island of Harris with all its eagles and walk the huge beaches of the Uists. This will be the ultimate Western Isles wildlife tour.

With both Rachael & Dan as leaders you get the best leader to guest ratio around and double the knowledge.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Dan and Rachael will meet you in Inverness late afternoon and drive north to Ullapool keeping a sharp eye open for Ospreys and eagles as we travel. Night Ullapool.

Day 2:

This morning we will take the ferry across the Minch to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, an excellent opportunity to see whales, dolphins and seabirds, arriving on Lewis early afternoon. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring the northwest coast of Lewis, including the Calanais Standing Stones, before heading to our hotel for the night on Harris.

Day 3:

Today we will soak in the dramatic Isle of Harris with its spectacular mountains, stunning coast, golden beaches and impressive numbers of eagles. Night Harris.

Day 4:

One highlight of today will be a remarkable meandering ferry journey from Harris to Berneray through many islets and shoals which are great for Common and Grey Seals, Otters and White-tailed Eagles. Our afternoon will be spent exploring Berneray on foot and then go in search of Hen Harriers on our way to our accommodation for the next four nights on North Uist.

Day 5:

Our journey today takes us south through Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay before continuing by ferry to the islands of Barra and Vatersay. They are the southern-most inhabited islands in the Western Isles and we will spend the entire day exploring them and looking for eagles, Frog Orchids, Great Yellow Bumblebees and exceptional variety of species that occur beneath the tideline and enjoying the spectacular sights and smells of machair habitats. Night North Uist.

Day 6:

North Uist will hold our attention all day today as we explore sites such as RSPB Balranald, home to a plethora of habitats and species from the machair to wetlands. Here we will look for Red-necked Phalaropes, Corn Buntings, Arctic Terns and a variety of plants and insects. Night North Uist.

Day 7:

Our final full day on the Outer Hebrides will be spent on Grimsby, Benbecula and South Uist and home to a plethora of wildlife such as Short-eared Owls, White-tailed Eagles, incredible machir and stunning white-sand beaches. Night North Uist.

Day 8:

We will depart North Uist first thing in the morning bound for Uig on the Isle of Skye. Once again this ferry route takes us across the exceptionally rich waters of the Sea of the Hebrides where there is a great chance of whales, dolphins, Basking Sharks and seabirds. Whilst on Skye take in the dramatic scenery of quaint fishing villages nestled amongst rugged mountains of one of the most famous Scottish islands. In the afternoon we will have an introduction to the extensive conservation efforts of Trees for Life at their Dundreggan Rewildling Centre, one of the charities supported by joining us on this tour. Night Drumnadrochit.

Day 9:

Tour concludes in Inverness after breakfast.

The itinerary outlined is indicative and Wild Discovery reserves the right to alter the itinerary if conditions require.

Gallery

Otter feasting on a fish along the rocky shore

Elegant Red-necked Phalarope on a lochan

The Great Skua, or Bonxie, surrounded by Cotton Grass

One of the many white sand beaches, South Uist

Sanderling flock together to feed on the sandy beaches

Frog Orchid nestled in the machair grassland

Beachcombing is always a popular activity on our tours

Who we Support on this Tour

Bumblebee Conservation
Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust

RSPB
Trees for Life

Dates and Prices

            Set Departure Dates
            Cost
            Availability
       
            Sat 18th July to Sun 26th July 2026
            £TBC*
            Spaces