As you travel through incredible scenery, your guide will unfold the history and culture of lands that have a long and diverse history. You will discover ancient cultures; prehistoric monuments and standing stones; Norse (Viking) occupation; Orkney’s role in WWII; the site of Scotland’s gold rush; abundant wildlife and much more.
After leaving Edinburgh, your tour will sweep you North West towards Stirling and the majestic castle and Wallace Monument. After stopping for photos, you will continue over the Highland Line in the Trossachs. Glencoe and the haunting Rannoch Moor lie ahead of you as you start to climb into the high mountains and glens (valleys) of this incredible part of Scotland. Hearing tales of the battles, massacres and clans of the region, your journey now takes you into the Great Glen and onward toward the hulking shoulder of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the UK at 4406 feet).
The Highland capital of Inverness is your stop for the first night of the tour and, to get there, you will travel the full length of Loch Ness. This will give you the chance to do a bit of monster spotting for Nessie or, if you are a non-believer, see the largest volume of fresh water in Britain. You may even have time for an optional boat cruise on the loch.
After a night in Inverness, you will continue towards the far north and the ferry to Orkney. En route, you will cross the Moray Firth, (home to a pod of dolphins) and into The Black Isle. Two more firths (estuaries) are crossed as the tour eventually heads along the coast to the North Sea and the ferry to Orkney, across the Pentland Firth.
The afternoon and the whole of the next day are spent exploring this incredible island archipelago. Our guides know all the best places to visit and these can include: the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae; standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness; the Neolithic Chambered cairn of Maes Howe; the Italian Chapel and St. Magnus Cathedral and more. As well as these amazing sights, you will also have time to explore Kirkwall and Stromness, take in unbelievable views and scenery, discover the Norse heritage of the locals and will have some of the UK’s most amazing wildlife on your doorstep.
Having explored Orkney to its full potential, you will leave the islands behind on your fourth day, and head back to the mainland. This tour still has plenty to discover though and now you will travel south through the blanket peatbog landscapes of the Floe Country. A bird-lovers paradise this is an internationally important and protected habitat for many species. Further south is the Strath of Kildonnan and the site of Scotland’s gold rush in the 19th Century. Heading towards Dunrobin Castle, the traditional home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, you will stop in Invernesshire for your final night.
The last day of your tour is spent travelling back towards the Lowlands and the capital of Edinburgh. Along the way you will see the site of the last stand of the Jacobites at Culloden Battlefield. You will also traverse the Cairngorm National Park, see the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, take a walk in highland Perthshire and arrive back into Edinburgh hooked on Scotland.
Itinerary
Departs: 0900
Day 1 - Edinburgh – Inverness
Highlights include: Stirling, Trossachs, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, Fort William, Ben Nevis, Great Glen, and Loch Ness.
Day 2 - Inverness - Orkney
Highlights include: Moray Firth, Cromarty Firth, Dornoch Firth, Helmsdale Bridge, Ferry to Orkney, Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Kirkwall.
Day 3 - Explore Orkney
Highlights include: Maes Howe, Skara Brae, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Stromness and St. Magnus Cathedral.
Day 4 - Orkney - Invernesshire
Highlights include: Floe country, site of Scotland’s gold rush, Dunrobin Castle, Black Isle and Dolphin watching (if you are lucky).
Day 5 - Invernesshire – Edinburgh
Highlights include: Culloden Battlefield, Cairngorms National Park, Highland Perthshire, Dunkeld the Forth Rail Bridge and South Queensferry.
Why go with us?
This is a great way to find out more about Scotland’s incredible past, and present. The tour will give you an insight into our history and culture, as well as taking you to places that will blow your mind in terms of their scenic beauty.
We will take care of you from start to finish, including booking your ferries and accommodation.