Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Plan an epic trip to Scotland

Did we catch your eye during the 2026 World Cup? Or did you hear our lively Tartan Army first? Come and experience that warm welcome for yourself with an unforgettable holiday packed with beautiful landscapes, unmissable events and of course, our friendly Scots.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

The Northern Lights in Scotland

Nature's most dramatic winter light display. Discover more about this otherworldly natural phenomenon.

12 Must-visit historic towns in Scotland

Get ready to take a journey through some of the finest historic towns in Scotland.

Scottish whisky

Whisky is Scotland's best known export and has been proudly produced throughout the country for hundreds of years.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

Scottish music festivals

See your favourite artists at this year's lineup of Scottish music festivals.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Summertime in Scotland

Embrace long summer days in Scotland with plenty of experiences to enjoy from gentle coastal walks by the sea to festivals filled with local tunes, incredible art and hilarious comedy.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

Scotland as seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

© The Hebridean Explorer

Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands

5 Day Far North and Highlands Private Tour

Guided by a John Alasdair Macdonald, a Highland historian with 18 years experience, this private 5 day tour is a relaxed, in-depth journey through Scotland's far north — Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––


📖 Read John's full guide: https://www.thehebrideanexplorer.com/insights/discovering-far-north-and-highlands.html before scrolling down to view the tour itinerary.


–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Day 1 — Inverness to Wick

Departing Inverness, we travel north across the three firths — the Beauly, Cromarty and Dornoch — pausing in the picturesque cathedral town of Dornoch with its medieval sandstone cathedral and quiet historic centre. The afternoon takes us to Dunrobin Castle, the largest and grandest castle in the Highlands, with formal gardens overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Along the way we stop at Carn Liath Broch, a remarkably preserved two-thousand-year-old Iron Age roundhouse, before continuing north to Wick, our base for the night.


Day 2 — Wick to Tongue

From Wick, we explore the dramatic clifftop ruin of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, ancestral stronghold of the Earls of Caithness, perched on a narrow headland above the North Sea. We continue to John o' Groats, the traditional 'end of the road' from Land's End, with views out across the Pentland Firth to Orkney, pausing nearby at the Duncansby sea stacks. The afternoon takes us to Dunnet Head, the true northernmost point of mainland Britain, before a scenic drive along the northern coast road to Tongue, in the heart of Clan Mackay territory, for our overnight stay.


Day 3 — Tongue to Ullapool

Departing Tongue, framed by the mountains of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope, we travel west to Smoo Cave at Durness, one of the largest sea caves in Britain, cut into limestone with a waterfall dropping into its inner chamber. Our route continues through the wild scenery of Assynt, among the oldest mountains in Europe, to the evocative ruin of Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt, once a stronghold of Clan Macleod. We pause at Knockan Crag, where the visible rock strata transformed our understanding of how mountains form, before arriving in the harbour town of Ullapool for our overnight stay.


Day 4 — Ullapool to Gairloch

Our most relaxed day, leaving Ullapool we visit Corrieshalloch Gorge, a mile-long box canyon crossed by a Victorian suspension bridge, with the Falls of Measach dropping forty-five metres below. We continue along the coast to Gruinard Bay, a sweep of pink sand and turquoise water with views out toward the Summer Isles, before arriving at Inverewe Garden at Poolewe — a sub-tropical garden made possible by the Gulf Stream, remarkable this far north. We conclude the day with a short drive to Gairloch, our base for the night.


Day 5 — Gairloch to Inverness

On our final day, we travel along the shores of Loch Maree, one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, dotted with ancient pine-covered islands beneath the slopes of Slioch. Our route continues through Glen Torridon, among the oldest mountains on Earth, rising almost sheer from sea level, with a stop at the pocket-sized fishing village of Shieldaig on Loch Torridon. The afternoon takes us back east through Lochcarron on our return journey to Inverness.

Preis auf Anfrage


Abreisedaten

  • Montag
  • Dienstag
  • Mittwoch
  • Donnerstag
  • Freitag
  • Samstag
  • Sonntag

März — Oktober

Kontaktdaten

The Hebridean Explorer

Inverness
Inverness-shire
Scotland
IV1 1HG

Tour information

Ab

  • Inverness

Dauer

5 Days

Transport

  • Driver guide

Art

  • Private

Sprachen

  • English

Themen

  • Ancestry
  • Castles
  • History
  • Landscapes

Haltepunkte

The Hebridean Explorer

Informationen zum Anbieter

The Hebridean Explorer

John Alasdair Macdonald, PhD (The Hebridean Explorer) is a Scottish Highlands historian and a private tour guide with over eighteen years experience specialising in multi-day guided tours for small groups (up to 3) from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland and throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Öffnungszeiten

March to October, Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm

Andere Touren von diesem Anbieter ansehen

Mehr:4 Day Outer Hebrides Private Tour
4 Day Outer Hebrides Private Tour

4 Day Outer Hebrides Private Tour

Fahrt ab: Inverness

Discover the 'Islands on the Edge' with a four day Outer Hebrides private tour f...

Mehr:4 Day Orkney and Highlands Private Tour
4 Day Orkney and Highlands Private Tour

4 Day Orkney and Highlands Private Tour

Fahrt ab: Inverness

A journey into the Neolithic heart of Orkney: Immerse yourself in the ancient my...

Mehr:5 Day Shetland and Highlands Private Tour
5 Day Shetland and Highlands Private Tour

5 Day Shetland and Highlands Private Tour

Fahrt ab: Inverness

Explore the remote beauty and unique heritage of the Shetland Islands on this fi...

Mehr:3 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Private Tour
3 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Private Tour

3 Day Isle of Skye and Highlands Private Tour

Fahrt ab: Inverness

Guided by a PhD historian with 18 years experience, this private 3 day tour is a...

Der Inhalt vieler unserer Webeinträge wird von den jeweiligen Drittanbietern und nicht von VisitScotland bereitgestellt. VisitScotland übernimmt keine Verantwortung für (1) Fehler oder Falschdarstellungen in Webeinträgen und (2) die Inhalte externer Links innerhalb der Webeinträge ((1) und (2) werden im Folgenden unter „Inhalt“ zusammengefasst). VisitScotland schließt jegliche Haftung für Verluste oder Schäden aus, die durch Verlass auf den Inhalt entstehen. Der Inhalt dient nur zu Ihrer Information und wird von VisitScotland nicht unterstützt.

Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Plan an epic trip to Scotland

Did we catch your eye during the 2026 World Cup? Or did you hear our lively Tartan Army first? Come and experience that warm welcome for yourself with an unforgettable holiday packed with beautiful landscapes, unmissable events and of course, our friendly Scots.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

The Northern Lights in Scotland

Nature's most dramatic winter light display. Discover more about this otherworldly natural phenomenon.

12 Must-visit historic towns in Scotland

Get ready to take a journey through some of the finest historic towns in Scotland.

Scottish whisky

Whisky is Scotland's best known export and has been proudly produced throughout the country for hundreds of years.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

Scottish music festivals

See your favourite artists at this year's lineup of Scottish music festivals.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Summertime in Scotland

Embrace long summer days in Scotland with plenty of experiences to enjoy from gentle coastal walks by the sea to festivals filled with local tunes, incredible art and hilarious comedy.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

Scotland as seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.