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6-Day The Orkney Tour

Customisable Itinerary
4.8 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

This road trip through Scotland captures the nature and spirit for the country. From the battlefields, Munros and mountains of the Highlands, to the Neolithic standing stones and folklore of the Orkney Islands, in just six days, you'll understand what Scotland is all about.

With three days in Orkney, you'll cross the Churchill barriers with their shipwrecks and visit various sites that offer you a chance to learn about the culture and lore of the islands, which is truly unique to this part of Scotland.

On your journey back to the capital, you'll also have the chance to explore Scotland's Highlands, stopping at some famous distilleries to learn about the national spirit of the country - whisky, as well as a beer brewery that captures some of the essential practices of whisky, and makes it into a beer! Your journey back will be complete with the Queen's View, where you'll gaze across Loch Tummel towards Schiehallion - beautiful!
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Food & Drink

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Itinerary

Day 1

Gateway to the Highlands

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Gateway to the Highlands

Start your journey into the Highlands at Stirling Castle, one of the most important castles in Scotland. Continue north to reach the most famous Highland glens, Glencoe the site of the infamous 1692 massacre. Travel through to Fort William and Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain and reach the southern tip of Loch Ness, stopping to marvel at Thomas Telford’s feat of engineering. On the western side is Urquhart Castle, boasting a turbulent history and a chance to spot the Loch Ness Monster.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Culloden House Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gateway to the Highlands Road Trip

    Stirling Castle

    Glencoe

    Fort Augustus

    Loch Ness

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Scotland

    Stirling

    Glencoe

    Fort Augustus

    Balloch

Day 2

Journey North to Kirkwall

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Journey North to Kirkwall

Visit Forsinard Flow, part of a vast expanse of blanket bog, and mountains that is one of Scotland's most important natural treasures and the RSPB looks after more than 21,000 hectares of it. From here travel to Scrabster to catch the 1.15 ferry to Orkney then travel to Kirkwall. Visit St. Magnus Cathedral, one of the finest and best-preserved medieval cathedrals in Scotland which dominates the Kirkwall skyline - a familiar, and comforting sight to Kirkwallians around the world.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kirkwall Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Forsinard Flows

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Inverness to Scrabster

    Ferry from Scrabster to Stromness

    Private Driver from Stromness to Kirkwall

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Balloch

    Scotland

    Orkney

Day 3

Churchill Barriers and Rural Communities

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Churchill Barriers and Rural Communities

Begin with a drive through the scenic landscape to Mull Head nature reserve and walk to the Gloup, a dramatic sea cave. Cross the first of four Churchill Barriers to the tiny island of Lambholm where you visit an Italian Chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II. Continue to the picturesque village of St. Margaret's Hope on the Island of South Ronaldsay where you'll visit the Smiddy Museum. Pause at Auld Brae for outstanding views of the Pentland Firth and the smaller Orkney Isles.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kirkwall Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mull Head Orkney Islands Tour

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Orkney

    Scotland

Day 4

Scapa Flow and Standing Stones

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Scapa Flow and Standing Stones

Travel along the historic Scapa Flow, one of the largest natural harbours in the world and the British Navy's main base during World War I and World War II. Then, step off the beaten track at Unstan Tomb, a unique Neolithic hybrid cairn. Continue to the World Heritage sites of Orkney’s Neolithic Heartland. Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered tomb; the imposing Standing Stones of Stenness; the ceremonial Ring of Brodgar; and Skara Brae, the best-preserved prehistoric village in northern Europe.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kirkwall Hotel

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Scapa Flow and the Neolithic Heartland

    Standing Stones of Stenness

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Orkney

    United Kingdom

    Scotland

Day 5

Return Trip to Inverness

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Return Trip to Inverness

This morning, catch the 11 am ferry back to the mainland and return to Inverness by way of Dunrobin Castle overlooking the Moray Firth. Just north of Tain, is Glenmorangie Distillery, where you may wish to take a tour which allows access to the distillery and warehouses and with the help of an expert guide all culminating in a dram or two of your choice! As you travel over the Black Isle you may wish to stop at the Black Isle Brewery before returning to Inverness.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Culloden House Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dunrobin Castle

    Glenmorangie DistilleryOptional Activity

    Black Isle Brewing CoOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Ferry from Stromness to Scrabster

    Private Driver from Scrabster to Inverness

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Orkney

    Scotland

    Tain

    Balloch

Day 6

Return to Edinburgh

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Return to Edinburgh

Before leaving Inverness, continue to explore Scotland with a visit to Culloden Battlefield where the last hand-to-hand battle was fought on British soil. Traveling through the Cairngorms National Park, go over the Drumochter Pass to Queen's View, one of the most famous in Scotland believed to be named after Queen Victoria; however, the viewpoint actually commemorates Queen Isabella, the wife of Robert the Bruce. Finally, visit Pitlochry before reaching the Queensferry Crossing and the capital.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Culloden Battlefield

    Queen's View

    Pitlochry

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Inverness to Edinburgh

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Balloch

    Scotland

    Pitlochry

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What’s included?

  • 5 nights accommodation
  • 12 activities
  • 5 breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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