North Scotland, Loch Ness & Orkney - 5 days
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:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
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
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
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Accommodation
Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available) -
4 breakfasts
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4 nights simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)
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Escorted by a local driver-guide
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Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning
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All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland
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Admission to Skara Brae
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Admission to Maeshowe
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Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield
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All road tolls
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20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details
What's Not Included
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International flights & visas
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Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)
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Meals not specified in itinerary
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!
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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
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning for transportation.
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Is there a guide accompanying the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.
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Are ferry journeys included in the tour?
Yes, all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland are included.
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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.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 4 breakfasts.
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What historical sites are visited on the tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Culloden Museum and Battlefield.
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Is luggage allowance specified for the tour?
Yes, there is a 20kg luggage allowance, and further details can be found in the Trip Notes.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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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+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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