Islands on the Edge

This eight-day, eight-island tour is something really different, including the very best birdlife, sealife, flora and local history, as we visit North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula, Berneray, Barra and Eriskay plus three nights on Coll and Tiree. With the machair grasslands coming into full bloom, Corncrake rasping, Snipe drumming, Redshank, Arctic and Little Terns vociferously guarding their territories, and Basking Sharks, Common Seals and a variety of cetaceans around the white sandy shorelines, this holiday is a wonderful celebration of Scottish island wildlife. The islands also hold a wide variety of interesting and rare flora, including Hebridean orchid species and sub-species.

Day 1: Saturday - Nethy Bridge to Benbecula
We depart Nethybridge in the morning and cross the famous Skye Bridge, travelling across the island to the ferry point at Uig. Upon arrival on North Uist, we head straight to our accommodation on Benbecula, perhaps picking up first Short-eared Owl or Hen Harrier as we drive. We should have time to look at a few beaches or wetlands before close of play, there are sure to be plenty of waders around. Overnight Benbecula for 3 nights.

Day 2: Sunday - North Uist and Berneray
The stunning Outer Hebrides in summer! Over these few days we aim to see Otter, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Red-necked Phalarope, terns, skuas, auks and waders, with more opportunities for Corncrake, Great Northern Diver, Common Redpoll, and Black Guillemot. Rarities could include Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, a lingering Glaucous or Iceland Gull, or Snowy Owl. All the islands have different features, and we shall enjoy the beauty of each as we explore the machair and crofting meadows. Our target islands today are North Uist and Berneray, aiming to give everyone picture postcard views with iconic wildlife sightings too! When the sun shines on Berneray, it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth!

Day 3: Monday - South Uist and Benbecula
Today we start by looking around our small link island of Benbecula, with excellent chances of seeing numbers of breeding and migratory waders. We then head south on to South Uist, aiming to see divers, eagles and a good assemblage of nesting waders and wildfowl. South Uist has high mountains and sealochs, but also has rough pasture, rich machair and long sweeping beaches, meaning you can cover a range of diverse habitats in a short space of time, giving plenty of chances to spot the iconic wildlife and take in the picture-postcard views.

Day 4: Tuesday - South Uist and Eriskay and across to Barra
We bid farewell to Benbecula and South Uist and head across to Eriskay for a short tour of this stunning island, and catch the ferry onward to the island of Barra. En route we hope to see more cetaceans, sharks, auks, divers, and diving Gannet. We travel round the island before dinner, and afterwards may visit a beautiful machair beach, walking amongst rare orchids, listening to Corncrake, and possibly seeing Otter playing in the long evening, with seals wailing on the skerries offshore. Overnight Barra.

Day 5: Wednesday - Barra & Vatersay to Tiree
We spend a few more hours on Barra, perhaps visiting the causeway linked island of Vatersay, a good place for Corncrake and Twite. We then catch the late morning ferry across to Tiree, again crossing incredibly rich waters. Our chances of cetaceans on this trip are very good!

Tiree is home to more calling male Corncrakes than anywhere else in Britain, and we will fully explore the variety of habitats on this under-visited outpost. Tiree has a nationally important population of breeding waders, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Snipe and Ringed Plover are all in evidence. Pintail is a rare breeder, and rare sounds at night could include the buzzing songs of Grasshopper Warbler, the bizarre calls of Water Rails, the liquid “wet-my-lips” song of a Quail and the “whip-lash, tap-drip” calls of a Spotted Crake. Overnight Tiree for 2 nights.

Day 6: Thursday - Tiree
We continue to explore Tiree, traditionally the most fertile Hebridean island, seeking out Corncrake, waders and ducks across the 12-mile long landmass. On the surrounding sea, auks, shearwaters, divers, Eiders and terns can be seen feeding, and an increasing number of Basking Sharks are beginning to gather in the unspoilt bays. We enjoy the machair grasslands, which will just be beginning to come into bloom, creating a lush carpet of colour around the island, which due to its lack of height is one of the sunniest, and least rain-soaked places in Britain!

Day 7: Friday - Tiree and Coll
We get the mid morning boat from Tiree to Coll. We spend the rest of the day exploring the island of Coll, spending time listening for Corncrake, and searching for Basking Shark and Otter along the coasts, and enjoying the tranquillity of this picturesque island. Overnight Coll.

Day 8: Saturday - Return to the Mainland
After a final tour of Coll in the morning, we take the lunchtime boat back to Oban, with many more wildlife opportunities on our cruise through the Sound of Mull, flanked by the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and the Isle of Mull.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
 Birding the North Coast 500, Highlands and Orkney, Birding the Highlands in May, Highlands & Ailsa Craig

SCOTTISH ISLAND ADVENTURES
Outer Hebrides in Spring

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Cold winds and rain are possible. Bring warm clothing, waterproofs, and walking boots or shoes. Hats and gloves essential for the ferry crossings throughout. Walking will generally be easy, with mostly short walks on uneven, occasionally boggy and rocky ground. Bring binoculars and a telescope if possible. A camera may be useful too!  You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects might be encountered.

What's included in your 'Islands on the Edge' holiday price

• Seven nights comfortable accommodation on Coll, Tiree, Barra and Benbecula. Please note that on the smaller islands accommodation is very limited and can be somewhat basic with en-suite accommodation not always guaranteed.
• Full Scottish breakfast, packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Eight days wildlife watching with guidance from a Heatherlea Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus. All access and ferry fees.
• Checklist to record sightings and notes.

What's not included in your 'Islands on the Edge' holiday price

• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.