The Outer Hebrides

Day 1 – Inverness to the Lochmaddy

Meet your Wilderness guide in Inverness this morning and enjoy a scenic drive west to Uig on the Isle of Skye. Along the way, stop for a lovely cafe lunch and, if time allows, stretch your legs at Eilean Donan Castle – a striking fortress perched on a tidal island at the confluence of three sea lochs. Catch the mid-afternoon ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist, looking for seabirds and dorsal fins as you chug through the waves. A short drive north will take you to a small, friendly hotel which will be your home for the next two nights. Take time to settle in before enjoying a delicious dinner and a good night’s sleep. (L, D)

Day 2 – South Uist to North Uist

After breakfast, hop in with your guide and transfer to South Uist. From its northerly tip, enjoy a beautiful ride that winds up the west coast, across the pan-flat Benbecula and back to your lovely, cosy hotel. Accompanied by your guide, ribbon your way through machair – a Gaelic word meaning ‘fertile low lying grassy plain’ which is characterised by a medley of wildflowers in the spring and summer. Enjoy sweeping views of white sandy beaches and turquoise water before heading inland across Benbecula, onto North Uist, arriving with a crunch of gravel back at your hotel. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 68 km/42 miles | 265 m/870 ft elevation gain

Day 3 – North Uist to Harris

Head out into the fresh sea air this morning and cycle north to Berneray. From here, catch the small white ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. Enjoy the stunning views as you chug in and out of little skerries before coming ashore and hopping back on your bikes. Arguably the jewel in the Hebridean crown, Harris is far more mountainous than the other islands, and riding up the Atlantic coast above the white sands of Scarista and Luskentyre is sure to be a highlight of the trip. Arrive in Tarbert this evening and enjoy some time to relax before dinner. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 70 km/43.5 miles | 605 m/1,985 ft elevation gain

Day 4 – Hushinish Beach and Harris Distillery

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you chat with your guide about the options for today. You may enjoy a rest, wandering around Tarbert and shopping for some Harris Tweed before relaxing with a book back at your hotel. For those wishing to head out for a ride, a great option is to cycle out to the pearly white sands of Hushinish Beach. With beautiful views of the rolling Atlantic breakers and the neighbouring islands of Taransay and Scarp, it’s well worth the pedal. Later this afternoon, take a guided tour of the Isle of Harris Distillery and indulge in a dram of their botanical gin or single malt whisky as you listen to some fantastic stories. (B, L, D)

Ride details: Optional ride up to 50 km/30 miles | 800 m/2,625 ft elevation gain

Day 5 – Tarbert to Callanish

Today is full of spectacular scenery and ancient history. Begin by tackling the biggest climb of your trip – of course, the joy of an E-bike is that you can make this ascent as hard or as easy as you wish! Ascend through the hills, enjoying the wild scenery as you traverse beneath the striking mountain of An Clisham. Continue to the Isle of Lewis and cross the windswept moor. Your destination for today is the mysterious Standing Stones of Callanish, which predate Stonehenge and are thought to have been erected 5,000 years ago. After exploring, settle into your lovely family-owned guest house this evening and enjoy dinner (B, L, D)

Ride details: 66 km/41 miles | 700 m/2,295 ft elevation gain

Day 6 – Callinish to the Butt of Lewis

As white gulls wheel in a sea-blown sky, head out with your guide to pedal up the island’s west coast to reach the Butt of Lewis. Along the way, pause to visit Dun Carloway Broch and enjoy a tweed weaving demonstration at Amor Weavers. Later, it’s impossible to miss the Whalebone Arch, recovered from a whale washed up on a beach nearby. As the road bends left, arrive at the edge of Europe, soaking in the fantastic views and the noise of the crashing waves, before being transferred to your hotel for a delicious celebratory dinner. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 55 km/34 miles | 530 m/1,740 ft elevation gain

Day 7 – Stornoway to Inverness

Your final day of riding takes you across the breadth of Lewis to arrive in Stornoway. Ride along a slender ribbon of tarmac that glides through a vast expanse of blanket bog, which supporters a diverse range of waterfowl. This includes an internationally important number of dunlin – a small bird with a curved bill and distinctive black belly. Upon your arrival in Stornoway, visit Lews Castle and learn about its rich and eclectic history before popping into the cafe and gift shop. Catch the ferry to Ullapool and relax on the scenic drive to Inverness, where your trip will conclude. (B, L)

Ride details: 27 km/17 miles | 215 m/705 ft elevation gain