Skye, Orkney & the NC500

Your journey begins in Edinburgh, where the tour departs from a central meeting point at 8:30 am. Leaving the city, we travel past views of the Forth Bridges and cross into the Highlands through Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers and mountains. Our first stop is the quaint village of Dunkeld, where we visit the historic cathedral sitting on the banks of the River Tay.

After a visit to the Highland Folk Museum, used to film scenes in Outlander, we make our way through the mountainous Cairngorms National Park. From here we continue to Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle fought on British soil, followed by the mysterious chambered cairns and standing stones of Clava Cairns, both of which also featured in Outlander.

Our home for the night is Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. This evening is yours to enjoy, whether you seek out one of the town's many live-music venues or take a relaxing stroll around the tranquil River Ness Isles.

Meeting Point:High Street 60, Edinburgh EH1 1TH, Scotland, GB - Arrive at 8:00am for check-in, Check-in closes15 minutes before the departure time.

We depart Inverness and head north to join the North Coast 500, the driving route that traces Scotland's dramatic northeast coastline. Our first stop is Dunrobin Castle, one of Scotland's most northerly castles, dating back to the early 1300s. Resembling a French chateau, it is surrounded by spectacular gardens.

As we continue north, our guide shares tales of folklore and recounts one of Scotland's most significant historical events, the tragedy of the Highland Clearances, explaining how it shaped the communities we see today. No visit to Scotland would be complete without a stop at a local whisky distillery, where we sample the national drink known as the 'water of life'.

An hour-long ferry then carries us across to Orkney, an archipelago of far-reaching views. Keep watch along the way, as dolphins, whales and even orcas are sometimes spotted here. We arrive in Kirkwall, Orkney's largest town, for the night.

Please note: On some departures the Orkney overnight is in Stromness rather than Kirkwall, subject to accommodation availability.

This morning we leave Kirkwall for one of Orkney's most-loved sights, the Italian Chapel, built by prisoners of war during the Second World War. From here we spend the day among Orkney's Neolithic treasures, beginning at Skara Brae, the best-preserved Neolithic settlement anywhere in Western Europe, before continuing to the towering Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.

In the afternoon we head to the Yesnaby Cliffs, a rugged stretch of coastline that is home to puffins from April until July and a must-see on any visit to Orkney. We return to Kirkwall in the late afternoon. From here you can explore the town, visit St Magnus Cathedral or take a walk beside the 'Peedie Sea'.

Please note: On some departures the Orkney overnight is in Stromness rather than Kirkwall, subject to accommodation availability.

We say farewell to Orkney and board the first ferry back to the mainland to re-join the North Coast 500. This stretch of coastline serves up some of Scotland's finest scenery. We stop at Smoo Cave, a dramatic sea cave set into the limestone cliffs of Sutherland, before travelling from east to west across the majestic Kylesku bridge.

We pause for a stroll at Knockan Crag, the jewel in the crown of the North West Highlands Geopark, then arrive into Ullapool in the evening. The night is yours to explore this pretty harbour village, perhaps trying some local ale or listening to traditional live music.

We leave Ullapool and travel through some of Scotland's most awe-inspiring landscapes on the way to the Isle of Skye, a country of serene lochs, rugged mountains and cascading waterfalls. Along the way we pass the romantic Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the Skye Bridge onto the island itself.

Against the backdrop of the jagged Cuillin Mountains, our guide shares tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape from the mainland and the folklore behind landmarks such as the mysterious Old Man of Storr. Our final stop of the day is Kilt Rock, with its impressive cascading waterfall. We spend the night in Portree, the lively hub of the Isle of Skye.

This morning we explore a little more of the beautiful Isle of Skye, visiting the Sleat peninsula, known as the 'garden of Skye', and driving through the magnificent Cuillin Mountains. We then say goodbye to Skye and take the ferry across to the west coast fishing village of Mallaig, where there is time to enjoy a lunch of fresh Scottish seafood.

After a stop in the eerie landscape of Glen Coe, our journey continues along the west coast to the fishing town of Oban, our base for the next two nights.

After six action-packed days of touring, today is a free day to relax, explore or get active around Oban however you wish. You might take a ferry out to one of the Western Isles, such as Mull, Iona, Staffa or Kerrera, for the day, or visit the local whisky distillery for a taste of Scotland's 'water of life'. Alternatively, you could climb up to Battery Hill for McCaig's Tower and watch the sun set over Oban. All of today's activities are optional.

We leave Oban and travel through the Pass of Brander and past Loch Awe before crossing back into the Lowlands of Scotland. Marvel at the dramatic splendour of the ruins of Kilchurn Castle and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Falls of Dochart as we head further south.

The scenery changes as we drive past Stirling and the striking Wallace Monument. After lunch we make our way to the iconic Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures, designed by a celebrated Scottish sculptor as a tribute to the horse-powered heritage of Central Scotland. We arrive back into Edinburgh in the early evening, where the tour comes to an end.