Off-Season Tours

• Inclement Weather – wind and rain are more common in April and October. The islands, in particular, can be windy and wet so having appropriate clothing including a water and wind proof jacket is recommended (especially as most of the attractions we visit are outdoors). On windier days, the ferry crossings can be choppy, and occasionally poor weather conditions can lead to ferry cancellations.
• Ferry Disruption – we normally have some advance notice of any impending ferry delays or cancellations as the ferry companies try to issue alerts at least 12 hours before, giving us the opportunity to consider alternative options in advance. Below are the latest ferry sailing performances for 2023, 2024 and 2025 for April and October on the three main routes used for tours to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.

• Quieter – visitor numbers to the islands are lowerin April and October than the peak summer months and so it is much easier to enjoy a stunning beach all to yourself!
• Nature – while you are walking along that beautiful Hebridean or Northern Isles beach, you can feel the full (wild and windy) force of nature!

The itineraries for off-season tours are more flexible to reflect the weather conditions. Whilst we visit the vast majority of sites advertised in the standard tours, I may amend the daily routes to make the most of our time on the islands.

Tour quotes will include a number of options in case of ferry delays and cancellations. Ferry changes will add no additional charges to the tour price paid to The Hebridean Explorer. The additional costs you may encounter are any lost deposits for your pre-booked accommodation in the event of delays or cancellations (and any additional accommodations bookings).

For off-season tours, I automatically block off the day after an island tour and do not sell it – as a precaution, just in case there are delays and to make sure we have some extra options available to us. I recommend that clients have a flexible day available to them after the tour.

Whilst I cannot be responsible for any extra accommodation, food or other costs that clients may incur due to ferry delays and cancellations, I will make every effort to adapt the tour to minimise disruption. Please note that no refunds will be given for tour and itinerary changes due to ferry changes and cancellations.

It might read as if I’m trying to scare you off a trip in April or October – I’m really not. However, travel to them during this period requires a little more planning and flexibility and I would not be doing my job if I did not inform clients of this. Visiting the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland during April or October will not disappoint anyone who travels with an adventurous spirit!

Great! Please find the standard advertised tour on our website that interests you the most and send a tour enquiry form with your travel dates. I will then forward a tour quote based on your travel dates (and include extra information about off-season travelling and options available in the event of ferry delays). Please note that off-season ferry timetables may alter the available start days for tours. With regards to off-season tour prices there is a discount of £60 per tour day applied to the standard advertised prices.

Ferry cancellations due to weather can be a significant issue during this period (along with the limited daylight hours from late-October to mid-February) and as such I generally do not offer island tours over these months. However, for those with an adventurous spirit and a flexible itinerary that can adapt to weather and ferry issues, please feel free to get in touch for a chat about touring options.