Orkney Islands Tour
Experience an Orkney Islands Tour over 5 wonderful days
Orkney Islands Tour from Edinburgh
Scotland Tours – Book a tailor-made 5-day Private Orkney Islands Tour from Edinburgh with Scottish Guided Tours. As a result, you shall experience the natural beauty, mystery and ancient history of the Orkney Islands and Highland Scotland on a fun and relaxed private tour – Neolithic ruins, ancient mysteries & breathtaking scenery await on our private tour of Scotland from Edinburgh – The Orkney Islands from Edinburgh – Enquire about Private Guided Tours of Scotland
- Private Tour
- Dunkeld Cathedral
- Cairngorm National Park
- Culloden Battlefield
- Clava Cairns
- Inverness
- John 'O' Groats
- Orkney Islands
- Kirkwall
- Maes Howe
- Churchill Barriers
- Standing Stones of Stennes
- Stromness
- Skara Brae
- Loch Ness
- The Highlands & Glencoe
- Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Your Journey
Our wonderful 5 Day Orkney Islands Tour from Edinburgh is a fun adventure to the Outer Hebrides of Scotland with a private guide and transport. As such, a relaxed and unique travel experience through Scotlands Highlands and islands.
Orkney Islands Tour: Skara Brae – Best preserved neolithic settlement in Europe – Scapa Flow – The final resting place of HMS Royal Oak. Stromness – The captivating old town of Stromness Kirkwall Orkney’s vibrant capital, remains a Viking town at heart. Churchill Barriers – Born from a time of conflict, but now serving as vital links between island communities Ring of Brodgar – A striking example of Orkney’s Neolithic heritage Standing Stones of Stenness – Perhaps the oldest henge site in the British Isles The Italian Chapel – Built during the 2nd World War by Italian prisoners of war and a true symbol of peace.
The rugged beauty of Caithness – Visit John ‘O’ Groats and tour the Orkney Islands with a private guide. Experience the wonderful scenery and history of Scotland with Scottish Guided Tours. Explore breathtaking Glencoe and enjoy the hospitality of Inverness, the Capital of the highlands. Journey to the northernmost parts of Scotland and follow in the footsteps of Vikings. The awe-inspiring Orkney Islands and an epic Scottish Highlands tour awaits.
Why Scottish Guided Tours?
Door to Door Service
Your private tour guide shall greet you at your chosen location. Hotel, B&B or even Cruise Ship Terminal. The most convenient start possible to your private tour of Scotland. Complete Door to Door service from Scottish Guided Tours.
Your Guides
Niall and his team of experienced Scottish Tour Guides aim to give the best possible experience, whether heritage related, historical, cultural or perhaps, a mixture of all three. Fun and authentic private guided tours of Scotland – The best Scotland has to offer.
Transport
Our brand new vehicles ensure great views, comfort and plenty of room for all travellers and luggage. Private Tours of Scotland exclusively for your group of travelling companions.
Private Tours
Scottish Guided Tours deliver fantastic private tours of Scotland exclusively for your group of travellers. No travellers shall be mixed with any other private groups. Bespoke tours of Scotland designed around your time frame & interests.
Covid-19 Precautions
All vehicles are meticulously cleaned. Face masks and sanitiser are provided. Private guided tours are exclusively for family or fellow travelling companions. Private tours of Scotland are the safest way to travel.
More info & FAQ
Day One
We depart on our Orkney Islands Tour from Edinburgh and travel north to the Scottish Highlands, passing through beautiful Highland Perthshire.
Highland Perthshire is known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands and is an outstanding start to our private tour of Scotland.
Coffee in the historic village of Dunkeld and a visit to the 7th-century Cathedral is an excellent start to the day.
Dunkeld Cathedral is indeed a remarkable building in the heart of this beautiful highland village.
Jacobites once fought the British Army on this quaint village’s streets, and You can still see musket ball marks.
Next, we explore the fascinating Hermitage Woods.
The forest here is magical, and the Dukes of Athol planted the Douglas Firs and Larch in the 18th century.
John, the 4th Duke of Athol, was known as ‘Planter John’ and the woodlands’ Big Tree Country.’
There is more to these Scottish woods than meets the eye!!
Culloden Moor & Clava Cairns
Our private guided tour of Scotland continues to Culloden Moor.
Culloden is an extraordinary and poignant place in Scottish Jacobite history and, as such, an excellent stop on our private tours of Scotland.
The interactive visitor centre will take you back in time to 1746 and what turns out to be the last military battle on British soil.
Visitors to the moorland comment on this place’s unique atmosphere, and walking on the battlefield past the cairns that mark the graves of highlanders, you understand why.
The Jacobites’ massacre on that bleak April morning and the war graves that remain are a stark reminder of the fate of the Highlanders.
Clava Cairns and Standing Stones
A perfect end to our first day is Clava Cairns.
Walk amongst the neolithic stones and truly feel the wonder of this place. A hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved prehistoric site.
Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, dating back about 4,000 years.
A well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves, ring cairns, kerb cairns, and standing stones in a beautiful setting. Standing stones are not uncommon in Scotland but are always very special to touch, walk around, and experience.
The Outlander TV series has undoubtedly added to their popularity.
A hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved prehistoric site.
Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, dating back about 4,000 years.
Inverness – Capital of the Highlands
In the early evening, we check into Inverness. The largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is a wonderful, friendly, and welcoming town.
Nestled on the River Ness, the small city has an excellent choice of restaurants, traditional pubs, and shops.
Situated on Scotland’s northeast coast where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth makes this little city an outstanding overnight stop on our Orkney Islands Tour.
Superb choices of Hotels, B&B’s, shops, and local eateries means there is an excellent selection for all travellers in the capital of the Highlands.
One of the many reasons why tours of Inverness are a must.
Day Two
8.30 am We depart for Orkney
We travel North through the Scottish Highlands and marvel at the unique scenery of Caithness. The history of our Highland people can be as tragic as it is remarkable.
As we travel to John ‘O’ Groats, Scotland’s story will unfold a little more.
John O’Groats
Just 11 miles from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain, the small coastal village of John o’ Groats is the starting point for many embarking on the famous ‘End to End’ journey to Land’s End in England, some 876 miles away.
12 pm Check-in for Ferry to St Margaret’s Hope
The ferry takes approximately one hour, during which you will sail through the Pentland Firth and into the Orkney archipelago.
This is the shortest and quickest sea route to Orkney and an amazing experience.
The Italian Chapel
The Italian Chapel was built during the 2nd World War by Italian prisoners of war who were stationed on the island of Lamb Holm and tasked with building the Churchill Barriers.
Churchill Barriers
Born from a time of conflict but now serving as vital links between island communities, the Churchill Barriers are remarkable structures that have become as iconic as many of Orkney’s more ancient landmarks.
The sinking of HMS Royal Oak in October 1939 with the loss of 833 lives, prompted then First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, to order the building of a series of the causeway – the Churchill Barriers – to block off the eastern approaches to the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow.
Stones of Stennes
The Standing Stones of Stenness may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles. Various traditions associated with the stones survived into the modern era, and they form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Ring of Brodgar
Most henges do not contain stone circles; Brodgar is a striking exception, ranking with Avebury (and to a lesser extent Stonehenge) among the greatest of such sites.
5.30 pm approx arrive in Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the largest town of Orkney and a great base on our Orkney Islands Tour from Edinburgh. Kirkwall’s name comes from the Norse name Kirkjuvágr, which later changed to Kirkvoe, Kirkwall, and Kirkwall. Contact us for great B&B and Hotel suggestions.
Day 3
A longer lie this morning !!!
9.30 am, we set off on an incredible adventure around the Orkney mainland.
Skara Brae and Maes Howe
Maeshowe is the finest chambered tomb in northwest Europe and is more than 5,000 years old. Viking crusaders broke into the cairn in the 12th century and carved graffiti runes on the main chamber walls.
Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements anywhere in Western Europe.
The amazing artefacts discovered at this incredible site give us an insight into what life was like thousands of years ago.
Lunch
Stromness
The captivating old town of Stromness is located on the shore of Hamnavoe, an inlet of Scapa Flow, and is the main ferry port on Orkney.
Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow is a body of water sheltered by Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay, and Hoy. Its sheltered waters have played an important role in travel, trade, and conflict throughout the centuries.
A scenic drive with Scapa Flow views, which was used by the British Navy during both World Wars. Scapa flow is the final resting place of HMS Royal Oak.
Option to visit Scapa Distillery
Scapa is an artisanal single malt forged by the extreme elements of Orkney. Scapa is a surprisingly smooth and honeyed single malt whisky, a unique tasting experience.
5.30 pm approx Arrive at Kirkwall
Day 4
St Magnus Cathedral
Towering above Kirkwall, the cathedral with its distinct sandstone hues is one of Orkney’s most significant landmarks. It was founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald in honour of his uncle St Magnus and took 300 years to build
11.15 am Ferry to Mainland
Lunch in Wick
Wick is a lovely town and royal burgh in Caithness. The town straddles the River Wick and extends along both sides of Wick Bay.
Great for lunch, coffee or stroll.
Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. It is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s. Home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland.
6 pm approx arrive in Inverness
Day 5
We depart Inverness at 9.am and travel the short distance to Urquart Castle on the world-famous Loch Ness’s shores.
Urquhart Castle is a fantastic visit, and the views and history here are incredible.
Following the Loch, for almost its full 23 miles, we make our way past Loch Lochy and to the Ben Nevis viewpoint.
Ben Nevis is Scotland’s highest mountain and stands over the highland town of Fort William.
Glencoe & Loch Lomond National Park
We travel into the heart of Lochaber, passing the highland town of Fort William & Ben Nevis.
Ben Nevis is Scotland’s tallest mountain and always great to see as we journey through the highlands.
Exploring the famous Glencoe, renowned for its beauty but infamous for its bloody history, is wonderful and thought-provoking.
Sometimes called the “weeping glen,” Glencoe is as atmospheric as it is beautiful.
Unique landscapes of Rannoch Moor lead us eventually into the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park and the beautiful scenery of the southern highlands.
A stop a Doune Castle is a must.
Doune Castle
The 14th-century castle has been used as a filming location for Outlander, Game of Thrones, and even Monty Python.
An incredible end to an epic four-day private tour with Scottish Guided Tours.
Private Tours of Scotland
Private tours of Scotland are designed around you and your travelling companions; thus, Scottish Guided tours are tailored to your time frame and interests.
On our private Isle of Skye tours, you may want a short or long walk to Neist point Lighthouse or a hike up the ‘Storr.’
You may prefer more time in the fishing village of Portree!
Complete flexibility is only one of the many benefits of a private guide and transport with Scottish Guided Tours.
Local knowledge of where to go if the weather turns or how best to avoid the crowds in busier months is a huge advantage of the private Isle of Skye Tours from Edinburgh.
In summary, private guided tours of Scotland are a unique and relaxed way to explore.
Highland Cattle (Hairy Coos)
Forth Rail Bridge
Hermitage Woodland Walk
Dunkeld Highland Village
Lunch in the local area
Highland Perthshire
Culloden Moor & Visitor Centre
Clava Cairns
Inverness Area Check in
John ‘O’ Groats
Ferry to Orkney
St Margarets Hope
Italian Chapel
Churchill Barriers
Stones of Stennes
Ring of Brodgar
Kirkwall
Orkney Full Day Tour
Skara Brae
Maes Howe
Stromness (Lunch)
Scapa Flow
Scapa Distillery (Tour Option )
Kirkwall return
St Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall
Ferry return
Royal Burgh of Wick
Dunrobin Castle
Inverness area check in
Loch Ness
Urquart Castle
Ben Nevis
Glencoe
Rannoch Moor
Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Doune Castle
Return to drop off location
Join us on a private guided tour of Scotland and enjoy the best of Scotland.
Scottish guided tours, plan and deliver the best private tours of Scotland
Contact us and start your Scottish Adventure
- Private Day Tour prices: 695 GBP per day (not per person)
- Exclusively for your group of up to 8 passengers (for larger groups please contact us)
- Multi-day tours – Includes guides daily & overnight expenses.
- Private guiding Services
- Private Transportation
- Scottish Spring Water is provided
- Please note: Entrance fees to historic buildings-attractions etc are not included unless previously stated.
Transport is in a brand new air-conditioned vehicle with plenty of room for you and your group.
Credit & debit cards or contactless payment are accepted all over Scotland. Its always handy to have a little cash for very small shops
Scottish Guided Tours offer private tours exclusively for your group. Tours can start and end in any location within Scotland.
Accommodation is not included in your quote. Payment for accommodation is made directly to Hotel or B&B on arrival, unless by prior arrangement.
Contact us for great accommodation suggestions
We would be delighted to suggest Hotels or B&B’s for your trip. Some clients prefer to book their own but we are always glad to help. Please Contact us
Scottish Guided Tours - Private Guided Tours of Scotland
Private Day Tours of Scotland
Explore a variety of private day tours of Scotland with Scottish Guided Tours. Private guided tours offering you complete door to door convenience.
Multi-Day Tours of Scotland
Book an overnight private tour of Scotland with Scottish Guided Tours. Embark on a 2 day private tour or plan a 14 day private tour of Scotland.
Bespoke Private Tours of Scotland
Plan your very own, private bespoke day tours or multi-day tour of Scotland. Private guided tours of Scotland focused your time frame and interests.