Scotland & Orkney Uncovered - 8 day tour

Edinburgh – Loch Lomond – Oban. Arrive in Edinburgh before 08:15 and make your way to the designated meeting point. We depart the city and travel west, passing through the rugged scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park – a region known for its lochs, forests and hill country. Our route takes us deep into Kilmartin Glen, one of the most significant prehistoric landscapes in Scotland. Here we explore a remarkable concentration of ancient sites, including Temple Wood Stone Circle and the hilltop remains of Dunadd Fort, once a royal centre of the early Scots kingdom of Dál Riata.

In the afternoon, we continue to the west coast and arrive in Oban, a bustling port town overlooking the Firth of Lorn. With its pretty waterfront, Victorian architecture and reputation for outstanding seafood, Oban is a favourite stop for travellers and locals alike. You will have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Please note: Scottish weather is unpredictable, so bring suitable clothing for all conditions, a waterproof jacket, suitable walking shoes, sunglasses, and your cameras. Most places accept card payments, but we recommend bringing some cash as well.

Meeting Point: Caffe Nero, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Mercat Cross, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 1RF, United Kingdom before 8:15 AM.
Overnight: Oban

Oban – Glencoe – Fort William– Mallaig – Skye. Today, we cross the Connel Bridge and head north through the coastal landscapes of Appin. Our first major stop is Glen Coe – a place of striking natural beauty with a sombre past, known for the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan. There's time to take in the dramatic scenery before we continue to Fort William for a lunch break.

In the afternoon, we travel west to Glenfinnan, where you'll see the famous viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films and have the opportunity to visit the Glenfinnan Monument, a tribute to the 1745 Jacobite rising. We then carry on to Mallaig to board the ferry to the Isle of Skye.
Overnight: Skye  |  Breakfast

This morning, we set out to uncover the Isle of Skye in full. From the dramatic peaks of the Cuillin Mountains to the windswept cliffs of the Trotternish Peninsula, the island offers some of Scotland’s most captivating landscapes. We will visit Kilt Rock Waterfall, where sea cliffs drop dramatically to the water below, the Old Man of Storr, a striking rock pinnacle set against sweeping views, and traditional black houses that offer a glimpse into Skye’s crofting past.

We also visit Portree, Skye’s colourful harbour town and its main centre, where there’s time to wander and soak up the local atmosphere.
Overnight: Skye  |  Breakfast

Skye – Drumnadrochit – Loch Ness – Inverness. We depart the Isle of Skye this morning and make our way to one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, Eilean Donan Castle. Set on a small tidal island where three lochs meet, here you will have free time to explore and take some pictures.

From there, we continue to the village of Drumnadrochit, nestled on the banks of Loch Ness, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to join a boat trip on the loch, keep an eye out for the elusive Nessie, and explore the atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle. We then follow the loch’s northern shoreline to Inverness, the Highland capital.

Our day concludes in the city of Inverness, where we will spend the night.
Overnight: Inverness  |  Breakfast

Inverness – Kirkwall. After breakfast, we travel north through the sweeping coastal landscapes of the Moray and Cromarty Firths. This stretch of Scotland is known not only for its dramatic views but also for its rich marine life – keep an eye out for dolphins, seals, and even the occasional orca along the way.

Our journey takes us to the small harbour at Gills Bay, where we board a ferry bound for the Orkney Islands. As we cross the Pentland Firth, there’s time to unwind and enjoy the seascapes before arriving in this remote and captivating archipelago. On arrival, we visit the Italian Chapel – a beautifully crafted place of worship built by Italian prisoners of war – followed by a stop at the Churchill Barriers, a network of causeways built during the Second World War to defend the naval anchorage at Scapa Flow.
Overnight: Kirkwall  |  Breakfast

This morning, we set out from Kirkwall to explore the extraordinary ancient sites scattered across Orkney’s landscape. Our first stop is Maeshowe, a chambered cairn built around 5,000 years ago, renowned for its impressive construction and Viking graffiti carved into its walls centuries later.

We then continue to Skara Brae, a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic village revealed by a storm in the 19th century. Nearby, we walk among the standing stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a powerful glimpse into prehistoric ritual life. The day ends back in Kirkwall with a visit to St Magnus Cathedral, a striking red sandstone structure that has dominated the town since the 12th century.
Overnight: Kirkwall  |  Breakfast

Kirkwall - Inverness. You’ll have a relaxed morning in Kirkwall with time to browse the town’s independent shops and pick up local crafts or souvenirs. Late in the morning, we board the ferry back to the mainland and begin our journey south with your guide offering insights into the dramatic coastal scenery along the way.

This afternoon, we visit Dunrobin Castle – a grand stately home with turrets and formal gardens overlooking the North Sea. Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the gardens are a highlight in their own right. From here, we continue through the Highlands to reach our overnight stop in Inverness.
Overnight: Inverness  |  Breakfast