Out & About Summer 2021

With government guidelines on foreign travel constantly changing, you may have decided to plan a staycation in the UK. There are so many beautiful areas in the UK and maybe you’ve always wanted to discover the Scottish Isles – well this could be your moment. Or if you’re planning a beach holiday, you might want to know which of our 546 beaches are the cleanest and which are best avoided. And it’s good to know that Dorset has taken the number spot for top campsite in a recent survey. TRAVEL

Summer on Scotland’s islands Embark on an island adventure this summer with Scottish small group tour specialist Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com). From white sandy beaches that rival the Caribbean, to serene mountain vistas and enticing local seafood – Rabbie’s tours will take you beyond the guidebooks for a fascinating insight into the history, culture and landscapes of the Scottish isles. For food connoisseurs – Mull & Iona Blessed with massive mountains and stunning lochs, journey to Mull and discover the Victorian harbour town of Oban for charming intimacy whilst savouring local seafood in quintessential Tobermory. Tiny Iona is inhabited by only 120 people and is home to sandy beaches and one of Scotland’s most important religious sights, Iona Abbey. For nature enthusiasts, this tour takes in “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond” and ‘Nature’s Cathedral’, Fingal’s Cave – compiled of naturally assembled hexagonal pillars from a Paleocene lava flow. Rabbie’s three-day Mull & Iona tour departs from Glasgow, with prices starting from £185 per person. For history enthusiasts – Isle of Skye Venture through breath-taking landscapes, quaint villages and visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle on a journey to the ‘Misty Isle’. En route to the island’s capital, Portree, pass fertile plains, shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and dramatic coastlines. Explore the natural wonders of Skye including the Trotternish ridge, with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations including the Old Man of Storr. When making tracks back south, travel through the Cuillin Hills, enjoy stunning views over Loch Doich and the Five Sisters of Kintail before trying to spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Rabbie’s three-day Isle of Skye tour departs

Calgery beach, Mull

from Glasgow or Edinburgh, with prices starting from £165 per person. For nature lovers – Lewis, Harris & the Outer Hebrides If you catch the white sandy beaches of Lewis and Harris on a sunny day, you’d be forgiven for thinking it could be a remote beach in the Caribbean. This stunning tour takes guests along Loch Broom, past the Summer Isles, to Stornoway – capital of the Outer Hebrides. Marvel at the mountains of Harris and visit the Maldives of Scotland at Luskentyre Beach where the pristine sand contrasts perfectly with its turquoise waters. After a day exploring unspoilt beaches and stunning landscapes, visit the small port of Leverburgh for a delicious local lunch. Uncover the stories behind the Callanish standing stones and explore the site where the famous Lewis Chessman were discovered. Departing from Inverness, this three-day tour starts from £209 per person. Rabbie’s offers worry-free sustainable staycations with its small group tours. Social distancing measures are in place with increased cleaning measures and reduced group sizes to ensure the safety of all guests. For more information and to book, see www.rabbies.com

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O&A SUMMER 2021