Orkney Islands Tour

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)