North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 days

North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 days

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5 Days From

$1655

$1241

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Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through North Scotland, exploring the enchanting landscapes and rich history of Loch Ness and Orkney. Begin your adventure in Edinburgh, traveling through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, with stops at iconic sites like Glencoe and Loch Ness, where you might catch a glimpse of the legendary Nessie. Discover the vibrant town of Inverness and the historic battlefield of Culloden Moor. Cross to the Orkney Islands, where ancient history comes alive at Skara Brae and the stone circles of Brodgar and Stenness. Enjoy the charm of Ullapool, a picturesque fishing village, before returning to Edinburgh. With comfortable guesthouse accommodations, a knowledgeable local driver-guide, and scenic ferry rides, this small group tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Scotland's natural beauty and cultural heritage. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Loch Ness - Hunt for 'Nessie', the mythical beast believed to dwell in the dark waters of Scotland's most famous loch

  • Inverness - Enjoy a free evening in the 'Capital of the Highlands'

  • Scottish Highlands - Uncover some of the UK's best scenery as you traverse coastal roads, pass mountains and native pine forests

  • Orkney - Spend two nights in the Viking town of Kirkwall and uncover the ancient history of the archipelago at Skara Brae, Brodgar, Stenness and Maeshowe

  • Ullapool - Stay in this pretty whitewashed fishing village, on the shore of Loch Broom

  • Culloden Moor - Visit the museum at this historic battlefield, where the last battle to take place on British soil occurred in 1746

  • Explore the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement older than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge

  • Admire the mountain vistas and learn about the 1692 Glencoe Massacre in Glencoe

Places You'll See

View Of Inverness From Inverness Castle, Scotland

Puffin Sitting On A Rock In Westray Orkney, Scotland

Cityscape Of Inverness, Scotland

Inverness Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh City Skyline From Calton Hill, Scotland

Standing Stones Of Stenness, Orkney Unesco World Heritage Site, Scotland

Winter In Ullapool, Scotland

Skara Brae, A Stone-Built Neolithic Settlement On The Bay Of Skaill, Orkney Islands, Scotland

Remote Beach In The Orkney Islands With A View Of Hoy Island, Scotland

Boats At Anchor At Dawn, Ullapool, Scotland

Victoria Street In Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland

Stormy Sunset At Rhe Lighthouse Near Ullapool, Scotland

View Of Edinburgh And Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Itinerary

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Day 1: Edinburgh

Location: Inverness

Accommodation Name: Dalmore, Pine Guest House or similar

Edinburgh - Callander - Glencoe - Loch Ness - Inverness. Heading out of Edinburgh this morning, we pass Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and Doune Castle on our way to the town of Callander where we enjoy a short stop. Crossing the Fault Line into the Scottish Highlands, we then take in the incredible vistas of Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart.





Continuing to Glencoe, we have time to admire the mountain vistas and learn about the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II. Then we continue to Loch Ness, allegedly home to the Loch Ness Monster. Keep your eyes peeled as we have plenty of free time to look for Nessie!





Arriving in Inverness, the evening is free for you to explore the 'Capital of the Highlands'.





Please note: Check-in closes at 08:15 on day 1 (tour departs at 08:30) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.





Accommodation: Dalmore, Pine Guest House or similar
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Day 2: John O'groats

Location: John o'Groats

Accommodation Name: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Inverness - John o'Groats - Kirkwall. Departing Inverness early, we head past Dunrobin Castle and along the coastline of the northeast Highlands, taking in some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. If the ferry timetables allow, we will enjoy a stop at John o'Groats, on the north-eastern tip of Great Britain. Arriving in Gills Bay, we board the ferry to Orkney, crossing Pentland Firth. Landing on the archipelago, we stop for a visit to the colourful Italian Chapel before arriving in the former Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. The evening is free, we recommend paying a visit to the magnificent Viking Cathedral of St Magnus, dating back to the 12th Century.





Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar

Day 3: Orkney

Location: Orkney

Accommodation Name: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore Orkney, taking in the stunning nature of green pastures and windswept sandy beaches alongside Orkney's past. We take in the 5,000-year old village of Skara Brae, A Neolithic settlement older even than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge! We also take in the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones at Stenness. Each of these sites is UNESCO-listed as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.





We also visit Maeshowe, home to a number of well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions, dating back to the 12th century. We then return to Kirkwall for the night.





Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B or similar

Day 4: Ullapool

Location: Ullapool

Accommodation Name: Foinaven, Ullaviews or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kirkwall - Ullapool. This morning after breakfast, it is time to depart Orkney, as we take the return ferry back to the mainland. We then take a spectacular drive along the northern coast of Scotland, taking in the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben hope mountains and a picturesque coastline. We stop to admire Ardvreck Castle in the far north-west mountains of Assynt before reaching Ullapool, a pretty whitewashed fishing village located at the mouth of Loch Broom. The evening is at leisure.





Accommodation: Foinaven, Ullaviews or similar

Day 5: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ullapool - Edinburgh. Today we make our way back to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, but we have a number of fascinating stops along the way. We see where the River Droma plunges 6o metres over a cliff into the Corrieshalloch Gorge and we enjoy views of Loch Glascarnoch as we pass Inverness.





We also make a short stop at Culloden Moor. This was the site of the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the last stand of the Jacobites who suffered a crushing defeat by the troops of the Duke of Cumberland. Interestingly, this was the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland.





Next we see the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the ‘Outlander’ books. We then journey around the edge of the Cairngorm mountains, past lush pine forests and make our way back to Edinburgh, where our tour ends.





Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)

  • 4 breakfasts

  • 4 nights simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

  • Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning

  • All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland

  • Admission to Skara Brae

  • Admission to Maeshowe

  • Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield

  • All road tolls

  • 20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details

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What's Not Included

  • International flights & visas

  • Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)

  • Meals not specified in itinerary

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!

  • Entry fees unless specified

Age Policy

Min:5yrs with an adultChild discount available for 5-15 yrs sharing with 2 adults

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort aboard a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning, including all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland, ensuring a seamless and scenic travel experience.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable stays in simple guesthouses, with options like Dalmore, Pine Guest House, Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Foinaven, and Ullaviews, ensuring a cozy retreat after each day's adventures.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning for transportation.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.

  • Are ferry journeys included in the tour?

    Yes, all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland are included.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 4 nights in a simple guesthouse, with an option for a hotel upgrade.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour includes 4 breakfasts.

  • What historical sites are visited on the tour?

    The tour visits several historical sites including Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Culloden Museum and Battlefield.

  • Is luggage allowance specified for the tour?

    Yes, there is a 20kg luggage allowance, and further details can be found in the Trip Notes.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola ...more ...less

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal. ...more ...less

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go. ...more ...less

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last ...more ...less

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide. ...more ...less

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away. ...more ...less

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare ...more ...less

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure ...more ...less

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying. ...more ...less

1 Select your preferred date

Wednesday - Sunday

Mar 05, 2025 - Mar 09, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Friday - Tuesday

Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 11, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Wednesday - Sunday

Mar 12, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Friday - Tuesday

Mar 14, 2025 - Mar 18, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Wednesday - Sunday

Mar 19, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Friday - Tuesday

Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 25, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Wednesday - Sunday

Mar 26, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Friday - Tuesday

Mar 28, 2025 - Apr 01, 2025
$1655 $1241 (USD)

Operator discount: -$414 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 days

5 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Visiting: Inverness, John o'Groats, Orkney, Ullapool, Edinburgh

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1655 $1241 (USD) Operator discount: -$414 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 30-Jan-2025 but subject to change.