Haggis Adventures - Compass Buster (10 Day)

To book call us on 0845 859 1006 or email info@visitscotland.com

Highlights:

Tour Includes:

•               9 nights in shared dormitory accommodation

•               Legendary Mercedes midi-coach to explore off the beaten track

•               All taxes & ferries (where applicable)

•               Your sexy local guide

•               FREE Lonely Planet Guidebook

Free Time:

•               Try whisky at an optional Highland distillery visit

•               Go monster spotting on a Loch Ness cruise

•               Hire bikes for the day and get onto the forest trails or climb Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain

•               Try the best black pudding in the world in Stornoway, the tastiest fish and chips in Ullapool or even some haggis... lovely!

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness

Heading north we pass the famous Forth Bridge and into Perthshire, surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. We stop in Dunkeld, heart of Macbeth country, where we can visit its historic cathedral, and then continue north to hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the tragedy of his defeat on the eerie moor of lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain. The Highland Capital is our home for the night.

Day 2: Inverness to Orkney

We continue our journey north passing over the Moray Firth, home to Bottlenose dolphins and Minke whales, and on to the tip of the British mainland, John O'Groats. We board the ferry to sail over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands, home to more archaeological ruins in one area than anywhere else in Europe. We visit the Tomb of the Eagles, a Stone Age chamber that was filled with thousands of human bones and the remains of sea eagles many millennia ago.

Day 3: Orkney

Today we head off to explore Skara Brae, dating from the late Neolithic period and inhabited between 3,200BC and 2,200BC. This incredible stone village is made up of eight dwellings (some still containing original furniture) linked together by a series of low alleyways and is a marvel of ancient building techniques. There will also be time to visit the magnificent standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar before the chance to head to a whisky distillery to sample some of the local single malt (and a very good drop it is too).

Day 4: Orkney to Inverness

First we visit the Italian Chapel, a place of worship was built by 550 Italian POW's in the Second World War. We then bid Orkney farewell and make the ferry crossing back to the mainland and a journey south through Scotland’s rugged terrain. We travel through the sparsely populated wilderness of Sutherland and Caithness, via glens left deserted as a result of the Highland Clearances.

Day 5: Inverness to Loch Ness

Our journey takes us through some of the most remote and isolated wilderness in Europe with a chance to get out and hike through some stunning mountain scenery. We then continue on to Loch Ness, passing the ruins of Urquhart Castle before arriving at Fort Augustus on the shores of the famous loch.

Day 6: Free Day at Loch Ness

Get amongst some spectacular Highland scenery and do your own thing. Hire bikes, take a boat trip on Scotland’s most famous loch to try and spot you-know-who, climb a mountain or chill out in Morag’s Lodge with a nice local beer.

Day 7: Loch Ness to Lewis

Today we journey through the wilderness of the north west Highlands, some of the most remote and isolated mountain terrain in Europe. We visit Corrieshalloch Gorge, a breathtaking mile long gorge set amongst the trees then on to the wee fishing village of Ullapool. Grab some of the best fish and chips you will ever have and tuck into them on the pier before we board our ferry this evening bound for the Western Isles.

Day 8: Lewis & Harris

We visit the stunning Callanish Standing Stones, Neolithic in age and dating back more than 4,000 years. Their meaning remain a mystery, perhaps an ancient calendar but these are considered to be some of the most impressive and inspiring of any of the ancient stones in Britain. These Hebridean islands are predominantly Gaelic speaking and have an unbroken culture dating back millennia. We visit a traditional blackhouse and the home of tweed makers, a fabric exclusive to the islands but now considered very trendy!

Day 9: Harris to Skye

In the morning we explore the amazing beaches of Harris, famous for its clear blue waters, magnificent mountain backdrop and traditional crofting culture. These islands are home to the Clan MacLeod who have lived here for centuries. After exploring the wonders of Harris, we leave their homeland and cross by ferry to the 'winged island', the Isle of Skye. We explore the magical isle with its awesome scenery and Cuillin Mountains while hearing about its many legends and faerie stories.

Day 10: Skye to Edinburgh

Back on the mainland, we stop to view the impressive Eilean Donan Castle perched on the shores of Loch Duich then journey along the Great Glen fault line before passing Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. We discover the story behind the name 'The Weeping Glen' at Glencoe, and then continue over the desolate wilds of Rannoch Moor. We finally pass Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of Braveheart is told, before returning to the capital city of Edinburgh at approximately 5pm.

Additional Information:

Passengers must be 18 years and over to go on this tour.  There is no upper age restriction.
This can be at the discretion of Haggis Adventures

Average age group 18-35

Edinburgh Departure: Haggis Office, 60 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB - 8.45am

Please arrive 15 minutes before scheduled departure time to check in for tour

Haggis Adventures Terms & Conditions

Cancellation Policy – minimum 28 days (working days Mon- Fri) 40% will be retained by VisitScotland.com.  Less than 28 days 100% will be retained and no refund will apply.