North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney
Take in the best of northern Scotland and Orkney on this 5-day group tour from Edinburgh. Search for the fabled monster at Loch Ness, learn about the tragic history of Glencoe and spend a night in the 'Capital of the Highlands', Inverness. Stop at Britain's most northern village, John o'Groats and take the ferry to Orkney. Here, visit the 5,000-year old village at Skara Brae and other sites that make up the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Back on the mainland, take in some of the Scottish Highlands most dramatic scenery as you return to the Scottish capital.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Glencoe & Loch Ness
Day 1 Glencoe & Loch Ness
Edinburgh - Callander - Glencoe - Loch Ness - Inverness. Heading out of Edinburgh this morning, we pass Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and Doune Castle on our way to the town of Callander where we enjoy a short stop. Crossing the Fault Line into the Scottish Highlands, we then take in the incredible vistas of Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart.
Continuing to Glencoe, we have time to admire the mountain vistas and learn about the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II. Then we continue to Loch Ness, allegedly home to the Loch Ness Monster. Keep your eyes peeled as we have plenty of free time to look for Nessie!
Arriving in Inverness, the evening is free for you to explore the 'Capital of the Highlands'.
Please note: Check-in closes at 08:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 08:30) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
Accommodation: Dalmore, Pine Guest House or similar
Day 2 John o'Groats & Kirkwall, capital of Orkney
Day 2 John o'Groats & Kirkwall, capital of Orkney
Inverness - John o'Groats - Kirkwall. Departing Inverness early, we head past Dunrobin Castle and along the coastline of the northeast Highlands, taking in some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. If the ferry timetables allow, we will enjoy a stop at John o'Groats, on the north-eastern tip of Great Britain. Arriving in Gills Bay, we board the ferry to Orkney, crossing Pentland Firth. Landing on the archipelago, we stop for a visit to the colourful Italian Chapel before arriving in the former Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. The evening is free, we recommend paying a visit to the magnificent Viking Cathedral of St Magnus, dating back to the 12th Century.
Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar
Day 3 Exploring Orkney
Day 3 Exploring Orkney
Today we explore Orkney, taking in the stunning nature of green pastures and windswept sandy beaches alongside Orkney's past. We take in the 5,000-year old village of Skara Brae, A Neolithic settlement older even than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge! We also take in the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones at Stenness. Each of these sites is UNESCO-listed as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
We also visit Maeshowe, home to a number of well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions, dating back to the 12th century. We then return to Kirkwall for the night.
Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar
Day 4 Back to the mainland
Day 4 Back to the mainland
Kirkwall - Ullapool. This morning after breakfast, it is time to depart Orkney, as we take the return ferry back to the mainland. We then take a spectacular drive along the northern coast of Scotland, taking in the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben hope mountains and a picturesque coastline. We stop to admire Ardvreck Castle in the far north-west mountains of Assynt before reaching Ullapool, a pretty whitewashed fishing village located at the mouth of Loch Broom. The evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Foinaven, Ullaviews or similar
Day 5 Return to Edinburgh
Day 5 Return to Edinburgh
Ullapool - Edinburgh. Today we make our way back to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, but we have a number of fascinating stops along the way. We see where the River Droma plunges 6o metres over a cliff into the Corrieshalloch Gorge and we enjoy views of Loch Glascarnoch as we pass Inverness.
We also make a short stop at Culloden Moor. This was the site of the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the last stand of the Jacobites who suffered a crushing defeat by the troops of the Duke of Cumberland. Interestingly, this was the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland.
Next we see the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the ‘Outlander’ books. We then journey around the edge of the Cairngorm mountains, past lush pine forests and make our way back to Edinburgh, where our tour ends.
Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Accommodation
On this tour, you will stay in bed and breakfast properties (B&Bs). These are usually smaller residential properties, with just a handful of guest rooms. You’ll have a bedroom, bathroom and often, access to a communal dining room for breakfast. Rooms will always be clean and comfortable, with a private bathroom. Bathrooms are usually en-suite, but on rare occasions, access may be via a communal hallway. This means that the bathroom will still be private and only for your personal use, but it is not en-suite (located in the room). You will need to leave the room to use the bathroom.
Dalmore Lodge Guest House is conveniently located along a main bus route with direct links to Edinburgh city centre and the airport. Opposite Edinburgh Zoo, this Victorian terraced villa is just over 5 km from central Edinburgh and a 10-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport. Murrayfield Rugby Stadium is a 20-minute walk away, and the Edinburgh Corn Exchange is 3.2 km away. The rooms feature flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, and en suite shower rooms with complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the house, and guests can check themselves in between 2pm and 10pm. Additional amenities include free parking, free high-speed internet, breakfast, a bar/lounge, and private check-in/check-out. Non-smoking rooms are available.
Situated in Kirkwall, just 17 km from Maeshowe, Bellavista Guest House offers accommodation with garden views and free Wi-Fi. The property features a garden, shared lounge, and family rooms, and is conveniently located 19 km from both the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre in Burray, as well as 20 km from the Ring of Brodgar. Ness of Brodgar is also 19 km away, and Kirkwall Airport is 6 km from the guest house. Rooms are equipped with a wardrobe, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, bed linen, and towels, with some offering views of a quiet street and all including a kettle and heating facilities.
This bed and breakfast is situated in the secluded area of Morefield in Ullapool, just a short walk from the village. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the Highlands of Scotland or simply relaxing and enjoying the local banter. Ullapool offers a range of facilities and is popular with hill walkers.
Tour Reviews
North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 daysTake in the best of northern Scotland and Orkney on this 5-day group tour from Edinburgh. Search for the fabled monster at Loch Ness, learn about the tragic history of Glencoe and spend a night in the 'Capital of the Highlands', Inverness. Stop at Britain's most northern village, John o'Groats and take the ferry to Orkney. Here, visit the 5,000-year old village at Skara Brae and other sites that make up the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Back on the mainland, take in some of the Scottish Highlands most dramatic scenery as you return to the Scottish capital.Handpicked51799The tour guide Owen was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about the local areas, very flexible and accommodating with requests from passengers. The whole tour was so great and we were able to see and do what was on our itinerary and more. I would definitely recommend this tour and company and rate them highly
North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 daysTake in the best of northern Scotland and Orkney on this 5-day group tour from Edinburgh. Search for the fabled monster at Loch Ness, learn about the tragic history of Glencoe and spend a night in the 'Capital of the Highlands', Inverness. Stop at Britain's most northern village, John o'Groats and take the ferry to Orkney. Here, visit the 5,000-year old village at Skara Brae and other sites that make up the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Back on the mainland, take in some of the Scottish Highlands most dramatic scenery as you return to the Scottish capital.Handpicked51799Absolutely fabulous. Guide was friendly, informative and an all round terrific man. Tour took us to some great and ingesting places.