Edinburgh to Orkney

Edinburgh - Loch Lomond - Glen Coe - Fort William - Fort Augustus - Inverness. Arrive in Edinburgh before 08:15 AM and make your way to the designated meeting point. The tour will depart at approximately 8:30 AM. We begin by travelling west through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, a region known for its picturesque lochs and wooded hills. Often called ‘The Highlands in Miniature,’ this area offers a perfect introduction to Scotland’s natural beauty. From there, we make our way into Glen Coe, a glen steeped in both dramatic scenery and tragic history. It was here in 1692 that members of the MacDonald Clan were killed in a brutal massacre. The glen’s striking landscape has also made it a popular filming location, appearing in Skyfall and the opening sequence of Outlander.

Our journey continues through the town of Fort William, located at the foot of Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the UK. We then follow the route through the Great Glen, a natural fault line that runs across the Highlands and divides the country. This stage of the tour is kept flexible to allow your knowledgeable driver-guide to adapt the itinerary based on the day’s conditions and group interests. Throughout the day, there will be plenty of opportunities to take in the views, capture photos, and delve into local myths and stories. The day ends with a scenic drive along Loch Ness before reaching Inverness, where you’ll spend the night in the heart of the Highlands.

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: 1 Parliament Sq, Royal Mile, EH1 1RE, besides St Giles Cathedral at 08:15.

Inverness - Moray Firth - Cromarty Firth - Kirkwall. Today brings a change of pace as we head north to take in the striking coastal views along the Moray and Cromarty Firths. We then board the ferry for a scenic crossing to the Orkney Islands – a remote and captivating archipelago made up of over 70 islands, with around 20 inhabited. Your stay will be based on the largest of them, known simply as the Mainland.

Once on Orkney, we begin exploring the island’s unique landscape and rich wartime history. One of the first stops is the Italian Chapel, a beautifully crafted place of worship built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. These men, who later worked as free labourers when Italy joined the Allies, created the chapel as a spiritual refuge. You’ll also visit the Churchill Barriers – a series of causeways constructed during the same period to defend the British naval anchorage from submarine attack.

Kirkwall - Skara Brae - Stenness - Ring o’Brodgar - Kirkwall. This morning, we spend the day exploring the island’s rich prehistoric heritage. Orkney is home to some of the most significant ancient sites in Europe, and we begin with a visit to Maeshowe – a remarkable chambered tomb dating back over 5,000 years. We then head to Skara Brae, the best-preserved Neolithic village in Western Europe. Discovered after a storm in 1850, its eight stone dwellings offer a fascinating glimpse into life in prehistoric times.

We continue our journey through the Heart of Neolithic Orkney with stops at the atmospheric Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring o’Brodgar – both recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our day concludes with a visit to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Britain’s most northerly cathedral, admired for its striking Romanesque design and enduring presence in the heart of the town.

Kirkwall - John O’Groats - Inverness. You’ll have a relaxed morning to enjoy Kirkwall at your own pace. Wander through its charming streets, browse the local craft and gift shops, or take in the atmosphere of the working harbour. In the late morning, we say farewell to Orkney and board the ferry back to the mainland. As we travel south, your guide will make the most of the route, sharing stories and pointing out highlights along the striking northern coastline.

Our first stop is John O’Groats, the iconic northern outpost where you can see both the east and west coasts of Britain at once – a great opportunity for photos. Later, you can opt to visit Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s grand homes and the largest in the Northern Highlands. With its turrets and formal gardens, it bears more resemblance to a French château than a traditional Scottish fortress. Once home to the Dukes of Sutherland, it remains Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited stately home. Tonight, we return to Inverness for another overnight stay in the capital of the Highlands.

Inverness - Culloden - Cairngorms - Pitlochry - Edinburgh. After our final breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to Culloden Battlefield – the site of the last stand of the Jacobite uprising in 1746. It was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces met a tragic defeat, marking a pivotal moment in Scottish history. We then make our way to Clava Cairns, a fascinating collection of Bronze Age burial chambers that helped inspire the Outlander series.

As we continue south, there’s an opportunity to stop at a local distillery and enjoy a dram of traditional Scotch whisky. We travel through the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, known for its rugged mountains and expansive vistas. We will then travel south and explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry, full of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. It also boasts great mountain and lochside views. From here, we return to Edinburgh at approximately 7 PM.

Drop off Point: Caffe Nero: 1 Parliament Sq, Royal Mile, EH1 1RE, besides St Giles Cathedral at 19:00.