Uncover Orkneys’ Ancient Secrets

8 Day Itinerary

• Day 1:

  Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to our hotel in the central Scotland area for one night.

  Included meals: Dinner

• Day 2: Glencoe, Loch Ness and Northern Highlands

  This great Highland drive takes us through mountainous Glencoe, with free time in Fort William before continuing along the length of Loch Ness. The loch contains more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined!

  Enjoy some free time in Inverness, the Highland capital.

  We depart mid-afternoon along the coastline passing Dornoch, Dunrobin Castle and the silver sands at Brora and Wick. Overnight in Northern Scotland.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Loch Ness

  

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  Included Highlights

  • Inverness
  • Loch Ness

• Day 3: The Orkneys

  We board the morning ferry with our coach from Scrabster across the Pentland Firth, arriving in Stromness on Orkney, 90 minutes later.

  The day concludes with a tour along the shoreline of Scapa Flow – famous as the naval refuge during both world wars.

  We stay for three nights in the capital - Kirkwall, with its 12th century St. Magnus Cathedral at the 3-star Kirkwall Hotel.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Orkney Islands

  

  Included Highlights

  • Orkney Islands

• Day 4: Guided Tour of the Orkney Isles

  Our local guide joins the coach for a memorable day out. As the day unfolds, the islands' Neolithic ancestry is evident as many ancient monuments, stone circles, settlements and tombs are visited - a testament to its UNESCO World Heritage status.

  The tour includes a scenic circular tour of the island visiting most of the main sites including 5000-year old Scara Brae, Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar, Stennes Standing Stones and Italian Chapel. Along the way, listen to the tales of Viking intruders, wartime exploits and immerse yourself in Orkneys' rich maritime heritage.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Orkney

  

  Included Highlights

  • Orkney Isles Tour

• Day 5: Day at leisure in the Orkneys

  Enjoy a day at leisure to explore. Kirkwall is the largest town of Orkney and this vibrant town remains Viking at heart.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6: The Highlands

  We take the ferry back to the mainland this morning and begin our journey south.

  We travel through spectacular Highland scenery and onto the heartlands, where we stay for one night in the Inverness-shire region on the outskirt of the Cairngorms National Park.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Highland Scenery

  

  Included Highlights

  • Highland Scenery

• Day 7: Edinburgh

  We head to Edinburgh where you will have some free time. Overlooking the Old Town is the famous castle, with its commanding view of the city and surrounding countryside, including the Firth of Forth. During its history, the city has become neatly divided in two, the Old Town of pre-18th century times, huddled under Castle Rock, and the New Town, with its fine Georgian architecture.  See the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyrood, St. Giles’ Cathedral and Sir Walter Scott Monument.

  Continue to our overnight hotel in central Scotland area.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Edinburgh Castle

  

  Included Highlights

  • Edinburgh

• Day 8:

  Return home.

  Included meals: Breakfast