Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
on the Southern Hebrides
in The Western Isles of Scotland
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
On this 53 mile Scottish walking holiday you hike the Western Isles of Arran, Islay and Jura.
This is one of our Coastal Walking Holidays in UK and Ireland, one of our Island Walking Holidays, one of our Moorland Walking Holidays, and also one of our Scotland Walking Holidays.
Where in the UK is the Island Hopping Walking Holiday?
Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
on the Southern Hebrides
in The Western Isles of Scotland
on The Isles of Islay, Jura and Arran
via Oban in The Scottish Highland
This self-guided Island Hopping in Scotland walking holiday takes you
through the Isles of Islay, Jura and Arran in the
Southern Hebrides. These remote islands, a haven for wildlife and bird life, are very quiet and peaceful, making it an ideal location for a walking holiday.
Our Island Hopping in Scotland walking holiday starts off with a ferry ride from Oban to Islay. The first day’s walking is on Islay, a Whisky lovers paradise, followed by a day trip to the Island of Jura. Then you walk for 3 days on Arran, known as “Scotland in Miniature” because the scenery has all that the whole of Scotland is famous for: dramatic coastlines, glens, rolling pastures and mountains (highest 950m).
The clean waters and air have made this area a classic location for many famous malts, such names as Oban, Isle of Jura, Bunnahahain, Bruichladdich, Laphroaic, Ardbeg, Bowmore to name but a few.
For a longer walking holiday in Scotland you can combine this Island Hopping in Scotland walking holiday with the Arran Coastal Way, or a walk along the Scottish Highlands Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness on the Great Glen Way.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates April to September and in either direction.
These daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
Suggested Tour Duration:
8 nights, 5 days walking
Start Days:
Tuesday and Friday only
Total Distance:
51 miles, 85 kms
Min/max daily distance:
8/12 miles
Average Daily distance:
10 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
whisky distilleries
This route connects with:
Arran Coastal Way
The ferry from Oban to Islay only runs on Wednedays and Saturdays therefore please select date for your holiday where day 2 of the itinerary is a Wednesday or Saturday.
Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
on the Southern Hebrides in The Western Isles of Scotland
on The Isles of Islay, Jura and Arran via Oban in The Scottish Highlands
8 nights and 5 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Oban
To start your Scottish walking holiday you make your own to Oban Scotland for your overnight stay. We can assist with air, coach or train transfers.
Optional Day: Extra day in Oban
The town of Oban is a centre for boat trips in the scottish highlands. It has a large selection shops, pubs, hotels etc and makes a great place to extend your stay with perhaps walk on the Isle of Kerrera.
Day 2: Oban to Islay
Today you have the morning free to explore Oban and then you take the afternoon ferry from Oban to Isle of Islay in Scotlands Southern Hebrides Overnight in Port Askaig.
Day 3: Islay 12 miles, 20km, climbs to 100m
The walk on Islay today takes you north to Bunnahabhain and past the distillery before heading inland in a circular fashion to Ballygrant. From Ballygrant you take an east route back toward Port Askaig via the little Loch Ballygrant. Overnight in Port Askaig.
Day 4: Isle of Jura 11 miles, 18km, climbs to 250m
For today’s circular walk on Scottish Isle of Jura you take the short ferry ride across the Sound of Islay to Jura and Feolin. Here you head north past Loch a Chnuic Bhric and to the lower slopes of Benn Chaolais. Here you will have wonderful views of Islay, Sound of Islay and in the distance Colonsay. Overnight in Port Askaig on Islay.
Day 5: Transfer to Arran
Transit day from Islay to Arran via the Mull of Kintyre. You catch 2 ferries; first the crossing to the mainland where you take a bus or taxi 8km to the other side of the peninsular before taking the ferry to Lochranza on Arran. Then a bus to Brodick for overnight on Isle or Arran.
Day 6: Arran – Glen Rosa 8-10 miles, 14-17km, climbs to 450m/750m
On the 1st day’s walking on Arran, you walk past Brodick Castle and up Glen Rosa before descending down to Sannox. For those who wish to walk to a high altitude there is an optional extension which will take you up Goat Fell. There is a short bus ride back to Brodick.
Day 7: Arran – Lamlash to Brodick 9 miles, 15km easy
On the 2nd day’s walking on Arran you start with a short transfer by bus to Lamlash south of Brodick. Once in Lamlash you take the optional ferry to Holy Island, the home of a Buddhist Monks Monastery. The walk follows the coastline north back to Brodick through rolling coastlines. Overnight in Brodick.
Day 8: Arran – Sannox to Lochranza 9 miles, 15km easy
On the 3rd day’s walking on Arran you take a short transfer by bus to Sannox. Today’s walk goes along the rugged coastline from Sannox to Lochranza, mostly right on the sea’s edge. Lochranza, a remote hamlet of a few houses, a whisky distillery and a tiny ferry port, is very romantic with its ancient Castle. On today’s walk you can look for seals and whales offshore. Transfer back by bus to Brodick for overnight.
Day 9: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast.
You take the ferry from Brodick on the Isle of Arran to Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland and depart.
You can depart by train or bus.
Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
The Southern Hebrides
9 day itinerary
Isles of Islay, Jura and Arran via Oban in the Scottish Highlands
5 days walking and 8 nights
Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Oban
Optional Day: extra day in Oban
Day 2: Oban via ferry to Isle of Islay
Day 3: Day walking on Isle of Islay 12 miles
Day 4: Day walking on Isle of Jura 11 miles
Day 5: Isle of Islay to Isle of Arran via 2 ferries
Day 6: Day walking on Isle of Arran Glen Rosa 8-10 miles
Day 7: Day walking on Isle of Arran Lamlash to Brodick 9 miles
Day 8: Day walking on Isle of Arran Sannox to Lochranza 9 miles
Day 9: Depart after breakfast via ferry Brodick to Ardrossan
9 day itinerary 8 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2023 | £920 | £1,232 | £1,232 |
All prices subject to change
What’s included
in your UK Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
Optional Extras
for your UK Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- parking facilities
- rest days
What’s not included
in your UK Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday
- transport before and after tour
- entrance to attractions
- public transport
- lunches, dinners and snacks
- ferry tickets for Oban to Islay, Islay to Arran, and Arran to Ardrossan: approx £25
- Islay/Jura ferry: approx £5
- Cost of bus: approx £10
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays, and additional accommodation arising out of ferry or flight cancellations.
Should ferries or flights included within your holiday itinerary be cancelled or delayed Let’s Go Biking Ltd will endeavour to arrange alternative accommodation which may be subject to additional charges.
We will also assist with arranging onward land transfers (where appropriate) as we deem required to enable you to continue your holiday as originally scheduled.
This is in addition to our existing booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
Island Hopping in Scotland Walking Holiday:
How to get there
- By Plane to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport where trains are available to the ferry terminal at Oban.
- By Car to Ardrossan where parking is available (then train to Oban)
- By Train / Bus to Oban
We have Island Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Isles of Scilly.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Cleveland Way
- Coleridge Way in Somerset
- Copper Trail in Cornwall
- Cumbria Way passes through the Lake District
- Dales Way
- Dartmoor Way in Devon
- Glens of Antrim on the Moyle Way in Northern Ireland
- Glyndwrs Way in Wales
- Hadrians Wall Path
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Herriot Way
- Isle of Man Coastal and Moorland Footpath
- Macmillan Way West
- Mourne Way in Northern Ireland
- Richmond Way
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Two Moors Way in Devon
- West Highland Way in Scotland
- Wicklow Way in Ireland
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
- Arran Coastal Way in Scotland
- Channel Islands
- Guernsey, Herm and Sark in the Channel Islands
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Isle of Anglesey part of the Wales Coast Path
- Isle of Man
- Isle of Mull
- Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall
- Jersey Coastal Footpath in the Channel Islands
