How much does it cost?

From £2,625 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,546 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes, but only for one leg: the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William on day 2, plus rail travel from your home station. The rest of the tour uses ferry and coach transport between the islands.

Which islands are visited?

Skye, Benbecula, North Uist, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra, Harris and Lewis, eight islands in total.

The Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow (1 night), the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William (1 night), a Benbecula hotel that varies by departure (2 nights), the Cabarfeidh Hotel in Stornoway (2 nights), and the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness (1 night).

Two departures, in July and September 2026, priced from £2,625 per person.

What is not included?

The single traveller supplement (£625) and the September departure supplement (£90) are optional extras.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Hebridean Odyssey 2026

Escorted island-hopping tour of Scotland's Outer Hebrides by ferry and rail

Railtrail Tours' Hebridean Odyssey is an 8-day, 7-night escorted tour that island-hops through the Outer Hebrides, starting in Glasgow and ending in Inverness. Day 2 travels the West Highland Line, the 'Railroad to the Isles', past Loch Long and Loch Lomond to Fort William, the tour's only named rail journey; the rest of the route uses ferry and coach transport between islands. The itinerary crosses to Skye, then ferries to Benbecula for a two-night stay, visits South Uist, the Isle of Eriskay, setting for the story of 'Whisky Galore', and the Isle of Barra, before a further ferry to Harris and Lewis for two nights in Stornoway, including a guided tour to the ancient broch at Carloway. The tour finishes with a ferry to Ullapool and on to Inverness. A Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with bed, breakfast, dinner and most excursions included. This trip suits travellers who want a fully organized introduction to the Hebrides' history, wildlife and island scenery.

What to know before you look closer

This is primarily a ferry and coach island-hopping tour; the West Highland Line on day 2 is the only named rail journey.
The single traveller supplement is £625, a significant addition to the tour price.
The hotel in Benbecula differs by departure date: the Dark Island Hotel for the July departure and the Isle of Benbecula House Hotel for the September departure.
The September departure carries an additional £90 supplement.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Glasgow
Arrive Glasgow
Journey from your home station to Glasgow and check in to the Radisson Blu Hotel for an overnight stay. Free time to explore before the first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: Fort William
West Highland Line to Fort William
Train north on the West Highland Line, past the Firth of Clyde, Gareloch, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond, climbing into the western Highlands and over Rannoch Moor to Fort William, checking in at the Alexandra Hotel.
Day 3overnight: Benbecula
Portree and ferry to Benbecula
Coach via the Skye Bridge, Broadford, and the Cuillin Hills to Portree for free time, then travel via Uig for a ferry cruise to North Uist and on to Benbecula, checking in for a two-night stay (Dark Island Hotel in July; Isle of Benbecula House Hotel in September).
Day 4overnight: Benbecula
South Uist, Eriskay and Isle of Barra
Causeway to South Uist, on to the Isle of Eriskay (Eriskay Ponies, 'Whisky Galore'), then a short ferry crossing to the Isle of Barra, with a packed lunch and the option to visit Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides.
Day 5overnight: Stornoway
Isle of Lewis and Harris
Onward via the Benbecula causeway to North Uist, then the morning ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris. Packed lunch and a guided tour of Harris, continuing past white sandy beaches to Stornoway on Lewis, checking in at the Cabarfeidh Hotel for two nights.
Day 6overnight: Stornoway
Explore Lewis
Full day guided tour of Lewis, the largest island of the Outer Hebrides, including the ancient broch at Carloway and a traditional thatched blackhouse settlement.
Day 7overnight: Inverness
Ferry to Ullapool and Inverness
Ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool, then onward to Inverness, checking in at the Kingsmills Hotel with free time to explore Inverness.
Day 8
Return home
After breakfast, farewell to Inverness and travel home from the station.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The train travels the West Highland Line, the 'Railroad to the Isles', past the Firth of Clyde, Gareloch, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond, climbing into the western Highlands and over Rannoch Moor to Fort William.
Day 4A causeway crossing to South Uist leads to the Isle of Eriskay, home to the Eriskay Ponies and the setting for the 'Whisky Galore' story, then a ferry crossing to the Isle of Barra.
Day 5A ferry crossing reaches the Isle of Lewis and Harris, with a guided tour of Harris past white sandy beaches on the way to Stornoway.
Day 6A full day guided tour of Lewis, the largest island of the Outer Hebrides, visits the ancient broch at Carloway and a traditional thatched blackhouse settlement.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 2 lunches
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,625 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,546 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes, but only for one leg: the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William on day 2, plus rail travel from your home station. The rest of the tour uses ferry and coach transport between the islands.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
Which islands are visited?: Skye, Benbecula, North Uist, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra, Harris and Lewis, eight islands in total.
Where do you stay?: The Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow (1 night), the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William (1 night), a Benbecula hotel that varies by departure (2 nights), the Cabarfeidh Hotel in Stornoway (2 nights), and the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness (1 night).
When does it depart?: Two departures, in July and September 2026, priced from £2,625 per person.
What is not included?: The single traveller supplement (£625) and the September departure supplement (£90) are optional extras.