Tuesday 24th September to Tuesday 1st October 2024

For our final ‘Footloose’ adventure of the year, cross The Minch to the Outer Hebrides, a superlative backcloth for walking from Barra in the south to northernmost Harris. The Inner Isles offer another world of walks from Coll and Skye to Eigg, in the company of excellent guides, or enjoy the best of both worlds with the strollers options.

Tuesday 24th September

A sunny (if breezy!) trip from Glasgow to join Hebridean Princess in Oban. Glorious views en route (including Inverary Castle and Loch Fyne) with a fascinating commentary from one of the Footloose Guides, Andrew.

A very warm welcome on board, and a chance to get to make new friends and catch up with old ones. Once safety briefings were over, champagne flowed and we enjoyed delicious dinner as we sailed to our overnight anchorage in Kilchoan.

Wednesday 25th September

A glorious morning on the Isle of Coll, with a beach landing followed by walks and strolls along beaches and through the dunes. Beautiful views across the sands and back to Hebridean Princess, with rainbows to complete the scene! Even time for paddling for some before our return to the ship and a peaceful afternoon’s cruising to our overnight anchorage at Inverie and welcome Gala Dinner.

Thursday 26th September

Tenders took guests ashore on Thursday morning at the remote village of Inverie, with walkers striding out up the valley to the Brockett Monument, while strollers enjoyed ‘Knoydart in a Knutshell’ … beautiful and varied autumn scenery, finishing in the village café or community owned pub The Old Forge – which we were delighted was opened especially on our behalf.

A relaxing afternoon cruise followed as we headed towards the Outer Isles and our overnight anchorage in Loch Bracadale.

Friday 27th September

We made an early start on Friday to cruise from our overnight anchorage at Bracadale on the north-west coast of the Isle of Skye over the Minch to South Uist. Having reached Lochboisdale, tenders took guests ashore – walkers setting out for a farmland, machair and beach walk to Stilligarry on the west coast – beautiful sweeping beaches, and wonderful birdlife (probably sightings of Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers, Dunlins, Godwits and Turnstones).

Strollers were treated to a tour of the island, taking in Eriskay in the South, along with highlights of South and North Uist. All guests met up for the most splendid of Hebridean three-course picnic lunches ashore – served in a community hall, complete with linen tablecloths, Charlie plying his bar skills, Hotel team preparing and serving a fantastic salmon buffet. No luxury was forgotten – making for a very memorable, and very special treat for all.

The afternoon saw the tour of the island continued for the strollers, while walkers enjoyed a shorter walk, taking in the stunning stone circle at Pobhull Fhinn and finishing at the burial mound of Barpa Langais – from where coaches took all guests northeast to Lochmaddy to rejoin the ship. A final treat was the sight of deer grazing in the sunshine on a small isle just off the side of the Princess as we enjoyed afternoon tea. 

We anchored overnight in East Loch Tarbert, Harris.

Saturday 28th September

Today we berthed at East Loch Tarbet, on the Isle of Harris. Strollers enjoyed a tour of the island, including a visit to Horgabost beach, distillery and Harris Tweed shop, while walkers headed for the Postman’s Walk. Once the regular trek for the postman taking mail to the remote village of Rhenigdale, this scenic walk included some tough ascents and descents – rewarded by far-reaching views of the distant islands, and up to a dozen porpoises in the bay. The weather cleared (temporarily!) as walkers enjoyed their packed lunch, before a short coach trip to the start of a second walk – this time along the shores of a loch as part of a local nature trail. A little damper, but atmospheric – hot toddies as we arrived back on the Princess were very welcome! 

We anchored in Portree overnight.

Sunday 29th September

We started our day at Portree on the Isle of Skye from where minibuses took guests north to the remote landscape of the Trotternish Peninsula. Walkers enjoyed a spectacular walk with picnic lunch on the Quiraing – and yet more far-reaching views.

The strollers saw highlights of the northernmost section of the island with a lunch at the Flodigarry Hotel. All returned to the ship to cruise to our overnight berth at Kyle of Lochalsh. 

Monday 30th September

Our final walk of the week was on the Isle of Eigg. Tenders took walkers and strollers alike to enjoy the area around the shore and highlights of south east of the island (including the local cafe), or for the brave (or foolhardy!), the 1300 foot ascent up An Sgurr. This longer walk was boggy in places, a scramble in others, but an exceptionally satisfying achievement with magnificent and far reaching views back down to the Princess in the bay, and beyond.

A delicious ham buffet followed, with an afternoon spent at sea as we cruised back to our overnight berth alongside in Oban. The day ended with a memorable Gala dinner, a superbly recited Ode to the Haggis from Chief Purser Andy, and dancing in the Tiree Lounge to the accompaniment of guides John and Andrew (accordion and vocals respectively). A very fitting end to a wonderful week!

We anchored overnight in Oban Bay.

Tuesday 1st October

Guests were sad to leave the Hebridean Princess, but uplifted (to some degree!) with wishes from the Captain to ‘Haste ye back’ and then views from the coach for those returning to Glasgow – Falls of Lora in full spate, stunning reflections on the lochs along the way, and a dramatic view down Glen Croe from the Rest and Be Thankful pass. Some wonderful scenes to add to very special Footloose memories!