5 Day Orkney, Ullapool and the Northern Highlands

Day 1 - The journey from Edinburgh to Inverness

Starting from Edinburgh, our 5 Day Orkney and the Northern Highlands tour heads west to pick up our Glasgow passengers before moving on to Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond. After some time here admiring the beauty of the loch we travel on to Tyndrum at the south edge of Rannoch Moor for some lunch before heading to Glencoe, site of one of the most notorious mass murders in Scottish history. Enjoy a short walk and take in the atmosphere of the dramatic valley. Afterwards we move on to Fort Augustus where you will have the option to take a cruise* on the loch. After your cruise we will pause for photos of the loch-side ruins of Urquhart Castle before travelling to Inverness where we check in to our accommodation.

Day 2 - From Inverness to Orkney

We depart early from Inverness and head to the charming village of Golspie for a short break before a visit to the nearby Carn Liath, an Iron Age broch (stone tower). After spending some time exploring the broch our tour continues on for a photo stop at the Emigrants Statue that overlooks the village of Helmsdale.

Next stop will be at Gills Bay for the ferry ride across to Orkney, arriving at St Margaret’s Hope, we will then travel across the small island of Burray and on to visit the Italian Chapel*. It is named this as it was built by Italian prisoners of war during World War 2 and has since been restored. You can go inside the chapel and see the remarkable décor and artwork. An artist was amongst the prisoners of war called Domenico Chiocchetti who is responsible for the beautiful design. After spending some time here, we will journey on to Kirkwall, the largest town in Orkney where you will check in to your accommodation for the evening.

Day 3 - A full day exploring Orkney

Day 3 of our 5 Day Orkney and the Northern Highlands tour is action packed, spent exploring Neolithic World Heritage Sites. First you will visit the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Rings of Brodgar, Stone Age ceremonial stone circles.

We will then move on to Maeshowe*, an underground chambered cairn where you will have time to explore the passages and chambers before we travel to Skara Brae*.

Skara Brae is Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village, built even before the pyramids of Egypt. You can explore the village and get a glimpse into what life was like for the inhabitants 5000 years ago.

We then return to Kirkwall and check into our accommodation for the evening.

Day 4 - The trip from Orkney to Ullapool

After breakfast we depart Kirkwall for the final time and make our way to St Margaret’s Hope to take the ferry back to mainland Scotland. After arriving at Gills Bay we travel west, enjoying the beautiful views on our way to Thurso, in Caithness, the most northerly town on Scottish mainland. Here, you will have time to get some lunch and refreshments before we begin our journey along the north edge of Scotland to Smoo Cave. The route is particularly beautiful so there will be plenty of opportunities for photo stops along the way.

Smoo Cave has a 50ft high entrance and it was created through erosion from the sea as well as an underground stream that formed the inner chambers. We pause here for photos before we journey on to our accommodation in Ullapool.

Day 5 - Return to Edinburgh

The final day of our 5 day Orkney and the Northern Highlands tour begins by departing Ullapool and travelling to Culloden Battlefield*, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites were defeated. You will have some time here to take a walk and soak up the haunting atmosphere. Afterwards, we will take short trip to the Clava Cairns, a 4000 year old burial mound surrounded by standing stones.

The tour then continues on to the 15th century Cawdor Castle*, north east of Inverness. Explore the castle and its beautiful gardens where you can even get audio-guides which are available in several languages.

We then move on to Pitlochry for refreshments before returning to Edinburgh where our Orkney and the Northern Highlands tour concludes.