Orkney & the Far North

This spectacular Highlands and Islands tour starts by heading west through the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Full of stunning lochs and mountains, it is easy to understand why this area is often described as ‘The Highlands in Miniature.’

The route then takes you through the haunting landscape of Glen Coe (scene of the terrible massacre of the MacDonald Clan). The dramatic landscapes of Glen Coe mean that it has often been used as a filming location, for example, in the James Bond film Skyfall and in the opening credits of Outlander.

The tour then continues through Fort William, the site of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, to Fort Augustus via the Great Glen, fault line which divides Scotland in two. There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph the best of Scotland and experience great beauty, discover ancient myths and legends and learn all you can on this first day of your tour.

You will continue north, traveling the length of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus to enjoy your first night in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.

Please note this part of the tour is flexible, and your knowledgeable driver-guide will use their experience to design the perfect itinerary to suit the weather and requirements of the group.

The second day of your tour will take you on a journey to the far northern coast of the Scottish mainland, enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery of the Moray and Cromarty Firths as you travel past. You will then catch the ferry for a memorable trip to the mysterious and magical Orkney Isles. There are over 70 islands in this group, of which only 20 are inhabited. You will be staying on the largest, known simply as Mainland.

When you have arrived in Orkney, you can take in the stunning scenery and start exploring. You’ll visit the beautiful Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. These prisoners later became paid workers when Italy joined the allies, and the church was constructed from a corrugated steel military building to give the Italians a proper place of worship.

From the same era, you’ll also see the famous Churchill Barriers – causeways that were constructed by the same prisoners who built the Italian Chapel, to protect the British naval fleet, which was based in Orkney during the second world war, from submarines.

You will make your way to the largest town in Orkney, Kirkwall, which will be your overnight stop for your two nights in Orkney.

From your base in Kirkwall, the whole third day of your tour will be spent exploring the beautiful scenery and remarkable historic sites of Orkney. This is a land so rich in ancient history that the area is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Some of the fascinating archaeological sites you will be able to visit include Maeshowe chambered cairn from the Neolithic era, where you can also get a sense of Orkney's Viking heritage.

We will also visit the world-famous Neolithic village of Skara Brae. It is composed of eight houses and is Europe’s most complete Neolithic village. It is also one of the best-preserved monuments in western Europe, despite being discovered after a storm in 1850!

You will go on to see the brooding stone circles of Stenness and the Ring o’Brodgar, both of which are from the Neolithic era over 4000 years ago.

The day will finish with a return to Kirkwall to visit to beautiful Britain’s most northerly cathedral, St Magnus Cathedral, which boasts stunning Romanesque architecture.

To begin your fourth day on the tour you will have a leisurely morning in Kirkwall, which boasts many craft and gift shops to enjoy. Take time to explore the beautiful working harbour and ancient streets. In the late morning, we will say goodbye to Orkney and join the ferry ride back to the mainland. Your expert guide will ensure you get the best out of your journey to Inverness, exploring the dramatic coastline.

Your first stop after returning to the mainland will be John O’ Groats, the northern most village on the UK mainland, and the only place where you can view both the east and west coasts of the UK simultaneously. It’s an excellent opportunity for a photo stop as well!

We will then start travelling south and will make a stop at Dunrobin Castle, the most northern of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands. It is also Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited stately home, more recently owned by the Dukes of Sutherland. Explore the vibrant formal gardens and discover why this Scottish Castle looks like a French chateau.

You will return to Inverness for the 4th and final overnight stay of this tour. This ancient cathedral city has no shortage of things to view, full of cathedrals, churches, and cobbled streets.

As you return to Edinburgh on the final day of the tour, our first stop will be a visit Culloden battlefield, the site of the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces, in the last pitched battle fought in the UK. Learn more about this turbulent moment of Scottish history which shaped the way the country ran for centuries.

You’ll also pass the through the stunning Cairngorm Mountains, which is a popular centre for outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing in the summer and skiing and other winter sports during the colder months. The Cairngorm National Park is also the largest national park in Scotland and proves a popular destination for tourists and locals alike due to its proximity to major cities such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

We will then travel south and explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry, made popular in the Victorian era as the gateway to the Highlands. The charming town is full of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. It also boasts great mountain and Lochside views.

It is then only a short drive to Edinburgh where your tour will finish and you will say goodbye to your group.