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North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney

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5 days

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

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Tour Overview

Duration

5 days

Starts

Edinburgh

Ends

Edinburgh

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 2 / Max 16

Minimum age

5 years, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

Hotel Rating

Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)

Countries

Scotland, United Kingdom

Arrival Transfer

No

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 4
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Per Person From
$1,685.00
USD$1,348.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$800.00
$1,896.00

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Tour Highlights

Loch Ness - Hunt for 'Nessie', the mythical beast believed to dwell in the dark waters of Scotland's most famous loch
Inverness - Enjoy a free evening in the 'Capital of the Highlands'
Scottish Highlands - Uncover some of the UK's best scenery as you traverse coastal roads, pass mountains and native pine forests
Orkney - Spend two nights in the Viking town of Kirkwall and uncover the ancient history of the archipelago at Skara Brae, Brodgar, Stenness and Maeshowe
Ullapool - Stay in this pretty whitewashed fishing village, on the shore of Loch Broom
Culloden Moor - Visit the museum at this historic battlefield, where the last battle to take place on British soil occurred in 1746

Included

4 breakfasts
4 nights simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)
Escorted by a local driver-guide
Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning
All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland
Admission to Skara Brae
Admission to Maeshowe
Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield
All road tolls
20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Not Included

International flights & visas
Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)
Meals not specified in itinerary
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!
Entry fees unless specified

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Itinerary

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

Overnight: Inverness

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

Overnight: Orkney
Meals: Breakfast

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

Overnight: Orkney
Meals: Breakfast

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

Overnight: Ullapool
Meals: Breakfast

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Bed & Breakfast
Inverness

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.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Dalmore Guest House
Inverness

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.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Bellavista Guest House
Orkney

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.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Foinaven
Ullapool

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.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse

Accommodation Standard

Guesthouse

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.

2025
Twin/Double
Single
5 Mar - 9 Mar
Save 20%
$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
7 Mar - 11 Mar
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Sold Out
Sold Out
12 Mar - 16 Mar
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$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
14 Mar - 18 Mar
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Sold Out
Sold Out
19 Mar - 23 Mar
Save 20%
$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
21 Mar - 25 Mar
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$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
26 Mar - 30 Mar
Save 20%
$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
28 Mar - 1 Apr
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$1,685$1,348
$2,105$1,684
2026
Twin/Double
Single
4 Mar - 8 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
6 Mar - 10 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
11 Mar - 15 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
13 Mar - 17 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
18 Mar - 22 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
20 Mar - 24 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
25 Mar - 29 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860
27 Mar - 31 Mar
Save 20%
$1,805$1,444
$2,325$1,860

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