5-Day Orkney and Highlands Tour from Edinburgh

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Edinburgh - Loch Ness⌄

   This spectacular Highlands and Islands tour starts by heading west through the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Full of stunning lochs and mountains, it is easy to understand why this area is often described as ‘The Highlands in Miniature.’

   Admire these stunning mountain whilst hearing stories of murder and massacre

   You will continue north through the Great Glen, traveling the length of Loch Ness to enjoy your first night in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.

   Overnight: Overnight: Inverness

2. 2Ferry to Orkney⌄

   Take the ferry to Orkney

   Time to admire the chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during WWII

   Visit this series of causeways that were constructed to protect the British naval fleet from submarines.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight: Kirkwall

3. 3Exploring Orkney⌄

   Today is all about prehistory as we start with the Neolithic Maes Howe Chambered Cairn

   see how our ancestors lived in this pre-historic village unearthed by a storm in the 1850s.

   Dating back over 5,000 years, the Standing Stones of Stenness are among the oldest stone circles in Britain, their towering Neolithic monoliths rising dramatically from the Orkney landscape on the banks of the Loch of Stenness.

   Visit this amazing Neolithic stone circle of up to 60 original standing stones spanning an impressive 104 metres in diameter, set on a narrow peninsula between two lochs and forming the ceremonial heart of Orkney's UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight: Kirkwall

4. 4Leaving the island⌄

   Visit the iconic Roman Catholic cathedral which is the oldest cathedral in Scotland and the most northerly cathedral in the United Kingdom.

   Back on to the ferry to the mainland.

   The most northerly point on the UK mainland.

   A stop at the home of the Duke of Sutherland. There will be time to visit the castle and gardens and hopefully see the daily Falconry display.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight: Inverness

5. 5Inverness to Edinburgh⌄

   Time to wander the battlefield or visit the exhibition. This is the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746.

   For Outlander fans this is a must see. It is here that the inspiration came for Clare's trip through the stones.

   Time to stroll around this charming little town.

   Meals: Breakfast