Barra and the Uists Walking Tour – 2027

The Hebrides are a large group the islands off the West Coast of the Scottish mainland. The inner Hebrides comprise the islands closest to the mainland: Skye, Mull, Islay, Jura, Coll, Tiree, Rum and Eigg. The Outer Hebrides – also referred to as the Western Isles – are further West, separated from the Inner Hebrides by a stretch of sea called the Minch. The main islands comprising the Outer Hebrides are Barra, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, and Harris and Lewis. The Outer Hebrides extend over 130 miles and there is a great deal to see and do. For that reason, this tour focuses on the southern group of islands (Barra, South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist) with a day trip to Minguay.

The geology of the islands is comprised of ancient metamorphic rocks, called Lewisian Gneiss, that’s around 3.5 billion years old. Their hardness and impermeability give rise to extensive areas of moorland and lochs; and, together with the erosive power of the Atlantic, create long beaches with fine golden sand. There are also lots of hills, barren and scoured by past glaciations.

People have lived in the Hebrides since the last glaciers retreated: first Mesolithic hunter-gatherers drawn to the shellfish, hazelnuts and red deer; then Neolithic farmers and pastoralists; before a third migration of Bronze Age people crossed the Minch with the capability to smelt and forge Bronze swords and axe heads. In the Iron Age, the Gaelic language and Celtic Christianity became established. In the medieval Period the Vikings invaded and settled, giving rise to Norse placenames, and a new seafaring capability. The medieval period was also characterized by a prolonged power struggle between the Scottish Crown and the semi-independent Lordship of the Isles, with attendant war and conflict. The rich history and culture of the islands feature largely in the tour, through story-telling and with visits to ancient and historic sites.

Some blogs:

• Timeline of Northern Scotland
• Treking the West Coast of Jura
• The 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Scotland!

This tour can operate as a standalone holiday or an extended two-week holiday that includes Lewis and Harris as well (15-22 July 2027. To book both holidays, please book both tours separately. Transport between North Uist and South Harris shall be arranged on the transfer day (15 July) with onward transport to Tarbet and our Bed and Breakfast on Harris.

General Information

• Aspen Outdoors Ltd – Aspen is a Scottish limited company. We are VAT registered and hold an Adventure Activities Licence. Either Alastair Ewen or Jen Brooke will correspond with you about your tour. If you have any questions, please email or call.
• Participant Pack – Well before the tour starts, we shall email you a participant pack that provides detailed information on the itinerary, where to meet, what to bring, details of your accommodation, and information about your guide/s.
• Hiking equipment and clothing – You will need to bring walking boots, a waterproof jacket, and trousers, warm layers, and a hat and gloves. A more comprehensive kit list will be set out in the participant pack.
• Deposit – A 20% deposit is payable at the time of booking. If a booking is made within 56 days (8 weeks) of the tour starting, the entire sum shall be sought at the time of booking.
• Balance of payments – The balance must be paid 56 days (8 weeks) prior to departure.
• Participant Travel Insurance – You are strongly encouraged to take out travel insurance to cover personal accident, medical expenses, lost luggage, etc.
• Company insurance – Aspen Outdoors Ltd holds insurance for the activities it provides. Its insurance policy is through HISCOX Insurance Company Limited. The insurance cover includes public and products liability insurance (up to £5 million), employers’ liability insurance (£10 million) and professional indemnity insurance (up to £5 million). If you would like to see a copy of our insurance documents, please get in touch.
• Safeguarding your payments – The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Aspen Outdoors Ltd, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for: Non-flight packages. ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Aspen Outdoors Ltd. In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise that you are a customer of an ABTOT-protected travel company. You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here. You can find out more about ABTOT here.
• Minimum number of participants – Four clients is the minimum number for our guided holidays to go ahead. In the event of us having to cancel through insufficient numbers, we will let you know at least 42 days before the start, and we will offer you an alternative holiday. If the alternative does not suit you, we will refund in full all money paid.
  There is no minimum number for private guided itineraries.
• Single Rooms – A limited number of single rooms is available on all our holidays at a supplement. In some places, if you are staying in a single room, you will share the bathroom with one other person.
  There will be no supplement if you are willing to share a twin room – with two single beds – with another member of the group of the same gender. This will always be a room with an en suite bathroom.

Terms and Conditions

• Participants must disclose information on any relevant medical condition or treatment that may have a bearing on their ability to take part.
• Participants must provide information to Aspen Outdoors Ltd on their skills and experience in the activity (winter hillwalking, summer hillwalking, multi-day treks, bushcraft activities) to help determine their competence and suitability for the activity.
• Participants must read the information about the activity with particular attention to the grade/difficulty of the hike, the length of day, the distance to be covered and the height gained.
• The objectives of the event, for example, the ascent of one or more peaks, are not guaranteed being subject to weather conditions, snow conditions and the capability and competence of participants in the group.
• The objectives of the event may be modified or abandoned, subject to weather and snow conditions and the capability and competence of the participants in the group.
• The event may be postponed or cancelled, subject to adverse weather and snow conditions. Should this happen, the company shall either provide a full refund or rearrange the event.
• Participants must consult the equipment list provided by the company and follow other instructions provided to them before the activity to ensure that they are appropriately prepared for the activity.
• During the activity, the participants must follow the instructions of the instructors to ensure their safety.
• Should you wish to cancel your holiday after your booking has been confirmed you should write to us. The date of cancellation is the date on which we receive your letter or e-mail. A sliding scale of cancellation charges applies as follows:
  • Greater than 56 days (8 weeks): the deposit only
  • 28-56 days prior to departure: 50% of the full price of the tour
  • less than 28 days: full fee.