Outer Hebrides
The Uists and Benbecula

Sunday 3 - Saturday 9 June 2012 (7 days)



We return to one of Britain's most remote and beautiful corners, where waders still breed in abundance, where divers in full breeding plumage haunt the lochs, where Golden Eagles soar, and where, almost uniquely now, the rasping calls of Corncrake can still be heard around the crofts.

The islands of the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, are renowned for their wild, windswept beauty, with glorious white shell-sand beaches on the Atlantic coast, and rugged moorland indented with numerous lochs in the east. All these habitats can be found within a few minutes drive of each other, and it is this diversity, packed into a small area, that gives these isles such a wealth of birds. These are also isles of hauntingly beautiful landscapes, still sprinkled here and there with traditional turf-roofed 'white houses', built with mighty stone walls to keep out the all-pervasive wind that is such a constant feature.

The "machair", an alkaline grassland formed from seashell sand, is in full bloom at this time, but the main attraction here will be one of the best concentrations of breeding waders in Britain. Here too we listen for the area's most sought-after bird: the elusive Corncrake.

In contrast, the eastern moorlands and lochs should hold breeding divers, and the skies are always worth inspecting here - these islands remain one of the best areas in Britain to see the magnificent Golden Eagle, with White-tailed Eagle always a possibility.

The Uists, Benbecula, Berneray, and Eriskay (the 'Whisky Galore' island) are all linked by causeways, and are in many ways the best of the islands to visit, with the healthiest raptor populations.

We travel to the islands from Oban, in daylight on each occasion, to get the best out of one of the most attractive of Hebridean sea voyages (a six-hour crossing), with Manx Shearwaters abundant on the sea, and with a possibility of Storm Petrels, porpoises and dolphins as well.



Price: £ 1,145
Single supp.: £ NIL
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes 6 nights' accommodation, all meals (except on the ferry crossings), ferry crossings as described above, minibus transport, admissions, incidental tips and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel to and from Oban, travel insurance, meals on the ferry crossings, drinks and other personal expenses.

* limited number of singles available at no supplement

Leader: Stephen Duffield

Numbers: Max. 7 clients

Outer Hebrides map

Accommodation
 We stay in a well-situated hotel on Benbecula (2-star, "Taste of Scotland" awards) with all rooms en suite.

Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Meet Stephen at Oban at around 1.00 pm, for a 2.00 pm ferry departure to Lochboisdale on South Uist, with dinner on the ferry and arriving at around 10.00 pm. Overnight Benbecula
Days 2-6 Five nights Benbecula
Day 7 Depart Lochboisdale on South Uist at about 1.30 pm on Day 7, returning to Oban by around 7.30 pm. We can give details of overnight accommodation in Oban if required.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary

What you say:

'Stephen always went the extra yard for his clients...outstanding natural history, altogether a very enjoyable week!' J.N., Herts.

'Excellent guiding...tour style and balance excellent. Would very much like to repeat this sort of trip.' L.N., Herts.