Orkney, Skye and the Far North
Orkney, Skye and the Far North
$2055
Orkney, Skye and the Far North
8 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh
Visiting: Glasgow, Kilmartin, Oban, Edinburgh, Glencoe, Mallaig, Skye, Trotternish, Portree, Eilean Donan, Inverness, Loch Ness, Kirkwall, Italian Chapel, St Magnus Cathedral, Maeshowe, Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, Dunrobin Castle, John o' Groats, Culloden Battlefield, Pitlochry
Tour operator:
Tour code:
273774
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 32
Age range:
3-99
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Eco Conscious, History, Island Hopping, Ruins-Archaeology, Wildlife Tours
Tour Overview
Spend an incredible 8 days with us on our tour through the Scottish Highlands, to the awe inspiring scenery of the Isle of Skye and to Orkney, where you can discover more of the fascinating history of the islands. have to offer. Across five fantastic days, you will explore this beautiful country, discover its culture and history and meet its welcoming people. The Orkney, Skye & The Far North tour gives you the opportunity to explore the beauty of Scotland our expert team of local driver-guides, who will be able to enhance your experience with the stories and history of these beautiful and intriguing parts of the country. Whilst travelling with you will explore the diverse landscapes of the Highlands, from the dramatic mountains of Glen Coe, the world famous Loch Ness in the great glen, and the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor and the North-West Highlands. You will enjoy the stunning coastal towns of Oban and Kirkwall, whilst your island-hopping trips to Orkney and the Isle of Skye will allow you to enjoy more of Scotland's magnificent coastline. Your visits across the water Isle of Lewis & Harris & Isle of Skye, where you will be able to immerse yourself into the distinct culture and history of these Islands, which a are both distinct from one another. You will also be able to explore the scenery of places such as Skye's Trotternish peninsula or the stunning coastlines of Orkney, whilst also being treated to the chance to visit the magnificently preserved archaeological sites in Orkney's UNESCO World Heritage site such as Maeshowe and the village of Skara Brae. You will also world famous sites such as Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is a feature of what is often described as one of the world’s most scenic railway journey (this journey may be included in your tour, depending on date of travel) and learn more about the often troubled history of Scotland, particularly the Jacobite rebellion with a visit to Culloden Battlefield.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Edinburgh - Oban
Location: Glasgow, Kilmartin, Oban, Edinburgh
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Our tour will begin in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town before we trave to Glasgow - Scotland’s biggest city and industrial capital - where the rest of your group will join the first part of your tour. Our wide-ranging tour begins heading west through the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond and the surrounding national park contain some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery, alongside some picture-postcard villages.
From here we will travel to Kilmartin Glen, an area rich archaeological legacy which is almost unrivalled in Scotland. With over 5,000 years of history laid out before us, we will walk in the footsteps of the first Scots and decipher the mysteries of an area soaked in history, visiting sites such as Dunadd Hill Fort, the Temple Wood Stone Circle and the extraordinary Neolithic rock art at Achnabreck.
To conclude your first day we will have a scenic journey to the picturesque seaside town of Oban, you first overnight stop, and home to Scotland’s best seafood! As we drive through it, your guide will provide you with an overview of the history of the town and its most famous sights
Day 2 : Oban - Skye
Location: Glencoe, Mallaig, Skye
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin our second day travelling over Connel Bridge through Appin to the haunting and dramatic landscape of Glen Coe where you will be able to hear more about of the terrible massacre of the MacDonald Clan. We’ll stop in Fort William; a town dominated by Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.
In the afternoon, you will travel to the pretty fishing village of Mallaig on the Jacobite Steam Train, often considered to be one of world’s greatest train journeys.
From Mallaig we will take the ferry to the Isle of Skye, where will be staying overnight for the second and third nights of this tour.
Day 3 : Explore Skye
Location: Trotternish, Portree, Skye, Skye
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the third day of your tour, you will have the opportunity to explore Skye’s mysteries and landscape with your knowledgeable driver-guide, who will be able ensure you get the most out of your time on the island based on the weather and group.
Stops often include the likes of Cuillin Mountains, Dun Beag Broch, the Black Houses, the Kilt Rock Waterfall, The Old Man of Storr and the Trotternish Peninsula, and of course the capital of the island, Portree.
It’s the perfect Scottish experience where you will be able to visit and walk amongst the dramatic and often other-worldly scenery of the Isle of Skye all whilst learning more about the fascinating history and legends of the Island.
Day 4 : Skye - Inverness
Location: Eilean Donan, Inverness, Skye, Loch Ness
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite Bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 begins with a journey over the Skye Bridge, where we return to the mainland and travel to, Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed locations. which you’ll have ample time to explore. Eilean Donan is one of the greatest medieval castles in Scotland. With a history that dates back to the 13th century, this fortress will take you back in time to most troubled and times of Scottish history. You’ll have ample time to explore the Castle, which sits on its own Island on Loch Duich
We then travel through the stunning mountains of Glenshiel to the pretty village of Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness for lunch. Here, you can choose taking a boat cruise on the world-famous Loch Ness, which would also include a visit to Urquhart Castle on the shore of the Loch. Alternatively, you would have the time to enjoy and explore the surroundings.
We’ll then head North to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, where we will spend the fourth evening of the tour
Day 5 : Inverness - Orkney
Location: Kirkwall, Italian Chapel, Inverness
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the fifth day of your tour, you will meet you new group of travel companions and river-guide for the second half of your tour.
You will journey to the far north coast of the Scottish mainland, enjoying the spectacular coastal scenery of the Moray and Cromarty Firths as you travel past. You will then catch the ferry for a memorable trip to the mysterious and magical Orkney Isles. There are over 70 islands in this group, of which only 20 are inhabited. You will be staying on the largest, known simply as Mainland.
When you have arrived in Orkney, you can take in the stunning scenery and start exploring. You’ll visit the beautiful Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War. These prisoners later became paid workers when Italy joined the allies, and the church was constructed from a corrugated steel military building to give the Italians a proper place of worship.
From the same era, you’ll also see the famous Churchill Barriers – causeways that were constructed by the same prisoners who built the Italian Chapel, to protect the British naval fleet, which was based in Orkney during the second world war, from submarines.
You will make your way to the largest town in Orkney, Kirkwall, which will be your overnight stop for your two nights in Orkney.
Day 6 : Explore Orkney
Location: St Magnus Cathedral, Maeshowe, Kirkwall, Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
From your base in Kirkwall, this day of your tour will be spent exploring the varied landscapes and history of Orkney. This is a land so rich in ancient history that the area is a UNESCO world heritage site.
One of the fascinating archaeological sites you will visit is the Maeshowe chambered cairn. This site dates from the Neolithic era, however there is also a strong Viking influence at the site, you will be able to learn more about both civilisations and their influence on Orkney whilst on tour with us.
You can also visit the world-famous Neolithic village of Skara Brae. It is composed of eight houses and is Europe’s most complete Neolithic village. It is also one of the best-preserved monuments in western Europe, despite being discovered after a storm in 1850! You will go on to see the brooding stone circles of Stenness and the Ring o’Brodgar, both of which are from the Neolithic era over 4000 years ago.
The day will finish with a return to Kirkwall to visit to beautiful Britain’s most northerly cathedral, St Magnus Cathedral, which boasts stunning Romanesque architecture.
Day 7 : Orkney - Inverness
Location: Dunrobin Castle, John o' Groats, Kirkwall
Accommodation: B&B with en-suite bathroom
Meals Included: Breakfast
The beginning of your second morning will give you the opportunity for a relaxed start giving you the opportunity to explore the town of Kirkwall, which boasts many craft and gift shops to enjoy. Take time to explore the beautiful working harbour and ancient streets.
In the late morning, we will say goodbye to Orkney and join the ferry ride back to the mainland. Your expert guide will ensure you get the best out of your journey to Inverness, exploring the dramatic coastline.
Your first stop after returning to the mainland will be John O’ Groats, the northern most village on the UK mainland, and the only place where you can view both the east and west coasts of the UK simultaneously. It’s an excellent opportunity for a photo stop as well!
We will then start travelling south and will make a stop at Dunrobin Castle, the most northern of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands. It is also Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited stately home, more recently owned by the Dukes of Sutherland. Explore the vibrant formal gardens and discover why this Scottish Castle looks like a French chateau.
You will return to Inverness for the final overnight stay of this tour. This ancient cathedral city has no shortage of things to view, full of cathedrals, churches, and cobbled streets.
Day 8 : Inverness - Edinburgh
Location: Culloden Battlefield, Inverness, Pitlochry, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
As you return to Edinburgh on the final day of the tour, our first stop will be a visit Culloden battlefield, the site of the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces, in the last pitched battle fought in the UK. Learn more about this turbulent moment of Scottish history which shaped the way the country ran for centuries.
You’ll also pass the through the stunning Cairngorm Mountains, which is a popular centre for outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing in the summer and skiing and other winter sports during the colder months. The Cairngorm National Park is also the largest national park in Scotland and proves a popular destination for tourists and locals alike due to its proximity to major cities such as Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
We will then travel south and explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry, made popular in the Victorian era as the gateway to the Highlands. The charming town is full of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. It also boasts great mountain and Lochside views.
It is then only a short drive to Edinburgh where your tour will finish and you will say goodbye to your group.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Breakfast Only
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Train Tickets
One way journey on the Jacobite Steam Train
What's Not Included
Booking Notes
What to bring
It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views and you are set to go!
It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food, however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.
Check out our Q&As
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
This tour will run on a minibus or mini-coach with a maximum of 32 seats
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Due to the variety of accommodation providers we use, we are unable to guarantee the availability of free Wi-Fi at the B&B's we use
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
There will be opportunities for short walks throughout our tours, however these will not be overly strenuous. Our tours are suitable for a wide range of fitness levels
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, the relaxed nature of our tours makes them uniquely appropriate for children 3 and above. Unfortunately, children under the age of 3 years old are unable to travel on our tours.
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What should I bring with me?
It is always advisable to be prepared for any weather in Scotland, so a jacket is always a good idea! A bottle of water for hydration and a camera to capture the spectacular views, and you are set to go! It is not necessary for you to bring your own meals, as we will stop throughout the day in small towns or villages where you can purchase food; however you are more than welcome to bring along snacks or a packed lunch.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Unfortunately, we do not organize pre- or post-tour accommodation.
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What will the weather be like?
Scotland is routinely unpredictable, but we do have a very temperate climate. The geography of Scotland means that it does rain more frequently in the west of the country and there are stronger winds in the east.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to the size of our vehicles, on our multi-day tours, we guarantee to carry one piece of luggage per passenger of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, with a maximum of 15 kg. This is equivalent to hand luggage allowed in an aircraft cabin.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
We are proud to welcome travellers from around the world on our tours
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Optional attraction tickets are not included in the price.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We use B&B's with a minimum of 3 stars
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How much luggage can I bring?
Due to the size of our vehicles, on our multi-day tours, we guarantee to carry one piece of luggage per passenger of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, with a maximum of 15 kg. This is equivalent to hand luggage allowed in an aircraft cabin.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
If you are delayed due to a flight cancellation for example, we will do our best to help you catch up with the tour. However, we cannot allow the tour to be affected negatively for the other passengers.
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Should I take out travel insurance?
We highly recommend you take out travel insurance.
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Low Deposit
Highland Experience Tours requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of highland experience tours charges.
Up to 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 8 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.