Island Hopping

This itinerary was created as part of our Take the Slow Road campaign, encouraging longer stays and responsible tourism.  Slower journeys can create a richer, more meaningful experience while supporting local economies and reducing pressure on the historic places that help make Scotland unique. 

Our suggested route uses sustainable transport to link Historic Scotland attractions and other heritage sites.

Plan your journeys using Traveline Scotland

Day 1 | Calanais, Isle of Lewis 

Visitors start at Ullapool taking the ferry over to Stornoway before travelling by bus to the first of many incredible historic sites, the Calanais Standing Stones.

The extraordinary stones were erected some 5,000 years ago. Visitors can walk among the megaliths at what is one of Scotland’s most magnificent and best-preserved Neolithic monuments. In the coming months, the visitor centre will reopen following major redevelopment.

Explore the local community and stay overnight in Calanais.  

Calanais Standing Stones

Cluster of Calanais stones below a softly glowing orange and yellow sky. — Calanais Standing Stones

Day 2 | Carloway and Arnol, Isle of Lewis 

A bus journey takes visitors to the unique ruins of Dun Carloway, spotting the tiny but dramatic island of Sgeir nan Gall on the way.

Visitors can then explore the breathtaking peninsula of Loch an Dunain on foot.

Building on this day and hopping back on the bus, explorers arrive at Arnol where they can gain a unique insight into island life in the Blackhouse at Arnol, where entry is 25% off when travelling car-free. A mile-long walk takes them to the beautiful Arnol beach, before travelling to Lower Barvas for another overnight stay.  

A long, thin building with a thatched roof and stone walls, in a countryside setting of flat green fields — The Blackhouse at Arnol

Day 3 | Eoropie and Shader, Isle of Lewis and Tarbert, Isle of Harris 

Taking visitors to the northernmost tip of the Island, hop on the bus to the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, engineered by David Stevenson in 1862 and once mentioned in the Guinness World Book of Records as the windiest point in the UK.

Another bus trip takes them to the curious prehistoric enclosure that is Steinacleit that lay buried under a metre of peat for thousands of years. 

Travelling back to Stornoway by bus, visitors can enjoy an overnight stay in the town.  

Single standing stone with loch and houses in background under cloudy sky. — Steinacleit

Day 4 | Rodel and Tarbert, isle of Harris 

Travel by bus to Tarbert then take another bus to the isolated medieval St Clement’s Church, a stone’s throw away from the sea. 

Embracing all the coast has to offer, visitors can take another bus to explore the vast white sands of Luskentyre beach. They can then round off their journey by travelling back on the bus to Tarbert and staying a final night in the picturesque community.   