GUIDED WALKING TOURS

WESTERN ISLES - The Essential Island Experience

Anyone who has already enjoyed the sunsets on our Islands and Highlands tour will feel themselves enticed even further westwards towards the enchanting islands of the Outer Hebrides. We discover the haunts of a variety of seabirds, including puffins, as well as of whales, dolphins, otters and golden eagles, and everywhere a wide range of flora and fauna in one of Europe's richest wildlife habitats.

          



In addition to 4000 years of tangible human history in the form of stone circles, brochs, castles and the traditional Celtic way of life, to say nothing of the evidence of Scandinavian influences, we encounter the wild places of of the north-western fringes of Europe, surrounded by the deep waters of the Atlantic ocean.

Fantastic endless beaches with crystal clear seas and the emerald green of the warm Gulf Stream cast their spell on us as we walk amidst stunning views of the coastal scenery, mountains and fiords of the Western Isles. Here are the oldest rocks in the world.

The wild, romantic beauty and peace of the islands are revealed as we follow ever-changing paths. They take us over picturesque green hills and through the wildflower meadows of the machair as well as along stupendous cliffs with strange rock formations and impressive caves. On relatively short journeys by road you enjoy romantic views of unforgettable seascapes enlivened by sea birds and sea mammals.

in charming little fishing communities, always with a friendly and engaging atmosphere, inhabitants and visitors find time and leisure each day to get acquainted with one another. You can learn much in conversation with the locals in cosy tea-rooms and homely pubs about the country and its people, ale and whisky.

In the North Atlantic, summer daylight hardly fades; long, lingering sunsets create an enchanting atmosphere and a bewitching light that dissolve into a romantic dusk only around midnight.

Varied cultural opportunities with room for personal choices, many encounters with the countryside, the people and their history, individual attention in small groups of like-minded travellers, as well as selected accommodation with a minimum of packing and unpacking and good food, complete the perfect plan for a successful holiday experience.

Overall Description of the Tour

Our friendly , approachable tour guides are delighted to share their enthusiasm and love for the country, its people and culture, with you. You travel in safety and enjoy the company of a real insider with specialist knowledge and training.

Our guides are experts in history, nature and culture so that specialists for particular tour programmes can provide competent and informed leadership.

It is most important for the guide that you have fun together and that you can enjoy the imparting of culture and history in an amusing and light-hearted but informative way. Our tour guides are bi- and often trilingual (frequently with a repertoire of jokes that sound better in the other language).

In the Western Isles you have to change accommodation only once, and on the whole tour three times. The result is that you always spend the evenings in good small hotels and pleasant Bed and Breakfast guesthouses with personal service and good food. All rooms are well furnished with bath/shower and WC as well as tea and coffee making facilities.

The essence of the walking tour is the experience of the countryside rather than arduous physical exertion. You don't have to be an experienced walker, but you should have the physical ability to walk for up to four hours. Some walks can be longer, but your guide can always suggest pleasant alternatives to the more demanding stretches. Participants can, if they wish, forgo or shorten most of the walks. It's a good idea to bring bathing things. The waters of the Gulf Stream are warm and inviting.

You hike and tour in small groups which permits personal attention. The minimum number of participants is 8, the maximum 16. A tour group is generally 10 to 14 people. On the walks you need take only a small day sack to hold your packed lunch, photographic equipment and so on. Your luggage is transported for you from hotel to hotel.

At the start and finish of your tour you travel by bus through the Western Highland landscapes made familiar by film (Braveheart, Highlander, Rob Roy, Harry Potter, Local Hero), as well as through the north-west Highlands via Inverness and Central Scotland to Edinburgh.

We are happy to organise a holiday extension for you in hotels, guesthouses or self-catering cottages in the Scottish Islands, in the Western Highlands, or in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Western Isles tour can be ideally combined with our Highlands and Islands tour to make a two week Hebridean experience complete.

Would you like a detailed description of the tour complete with daily itinerary?



7 DEPARTURE DATES 2007: (always Friday to Saturday)

Introductory Tour: 13 - 21 April
Spring walks: 04 - 12 May
Summer walks: 22 June - 30 July; 06 - 14 July; 20 - 28 July; 03 - 11 August
Indian Summer: 21 - 29 September

all departures, minimum of just 8 people

maximum group size 16!!

Further departures by arrangement

GRÜNE TERMINE BEDEUTEN GARANTIERTER REISETERMIN UND PLATZ FREI! SIE KÖNNEN SICH OHNE NACHZUFRAGEN ANMELDEN!

SCHWARZ bedeutet bitte kurz nachfragen. Entweder ist eine Mindestteilnehmerzahl noch nicht erreicht - WAS BIS ZUM FRÜHJAHR GANZ NORMAL IST - oder entweder Doppelzimmer oder Einzelzimmer oder Familienzimmer sind nur auf Anfrage frei.

You can travel with an English and German speaking international group. Please ask for details.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY?
You can combine this tour perfectly with the:

- walking tours:
• "Western Highlands" - in the footsteps of Rob Roy - our classic!
• "Northern Highlights" (Orkney and Shetland Islands and Sutherland)
• "In the Heart of Scotland" - walking and culture based on a single location
• "Lake District" (English Lake District and Yorkshire Dales)
• Self-guided railway and walking tour


- Tours of Scotland:
• "Scotland - the Whisky Trail and More" (exclusive bus tour for connoisseurs)
• "Scotland in Style - Railway Adventure" (self-guided)

We can organise your own holiday extension.


This tour can ideally be booked in combination with our other walking and sightseeing tours. Please ask us for details.


INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
The walking tour price includes all ferry crossings and transfers, sightseeing visits, guiding and entry fees as described in the programme, experienced walking and tour guide; eight nights in good small hotels and guesthouses with en suite rooms and full Scottish breakfast, four dinners, airport transfers, luggage transfer, maps as needed and a welcoming drink.


WHERE AND HOW YOU CAN BOOK:
You can book through a travel agent or, of course, directly with Rob Roy Tours Ltd. Arrival by plane, train or private car.

Here you will find further information on booking and a simple booking form..

PRICES 2007:
9 day tour per person sharing a twin/double room
Single room supplement: £112.00
Introductory tour: April 14, just £ 787.00 £ 893.00


(Flight not included)

Booking DIRECT WITH ROB ROY TOURS LTD:
PRICE ON ENQUIRY
especially for small groups.



If you have any questions, simply call us on 0044-(0)1620-890 908.
We will call you back right away!

Or send us an email at Urlaub@RobRoyTours.com or a fax to 0044-(0)1620-890 908.



PLANNED departures 2008: (always Friday to Saturday)
02.05, 20.06., 04.07., 18.07., 01.08., 19.09.,
Further departures on request.

TELEPHONE and FAX: 0044-1620-890 908, MOBILE: 0044-7778-537321.
Our address is: Rob Roy Tours Ltd, 630 Lanark Road, Juniper Green, Edinburgh EH14 5EW, UK
E-Mail: tours@RobRoyTours.com
Internet: http://www.robroytours.com