Tour Orkney, Western Isles, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & The Highlands
Price includes all ferry crossings!
Get beyond the mainland and discover the far northern and western fringes of Scotland - Europe's last great wilderness! The Island Explorer tour is for travellers on the search for maximum adventure!
This is our ultimate trip, which combines Scotland's wonderful Western Isles, including Skye, as well as the far north and Orkney Islands. The historic sites are the main draw to the intriguing Orkney Islands, with more than 5,000 years of human history, culture and architecture. Highlights include Skara Brae (Europe’s best-preserved pre-historic village) and the magnificent standing stone circle at the Ring of Brodgar. In fact, there are over 1,000 known ancient sites in Orkney, including superbly preserved Iron Age burial mounds, houses, monuments, and brochs.
The journey along the remote Northwest coast of Scotland is unforgettable: small villages, long sandy beaches and dramatic mountain scenery. Reaching Ullapool (once a Viking stopover and now a bustling ferry port), travellers board the ferry for the Isle of Lewis. The Outer Hebrides are a fascinating place: the Gaelic culture, unspoilt scenery and sense of isolation are huge attractions.
These Hebridean islands are predominantly Gaelic speaking and visitors get the chance to see an original Blackhouse, hear traditional music, as well as enjoy the wonderful local seafood. The stunning Callanish Standing Stones, which date back more than 5000 years, are some of the most impressive and inspiring ancient stones in Britain. The Isle of Harris is famed for its unspoilt wonderful sandy beaches, aqua blue waters and sparcity of people. The sunsets are also legendary!
The final leg of the tour takes in the magical Isle of Skye. Perhaps the most famous Scottish island, it’s a place of many contrasts: stunning coastline and rugged mountains, wild moorland and sleepy settlements.
Highlights
* Stay in a real haunted Highland castle* if you dare
* Soak up the unique atmosphere at the Callanish Standing Stones - pre-dating Stonehenge
* Enjoy a few drams of whisky and meet the locals at an Island ceilidh
* Wander along empty sandy beaches and paddle in the turquoise waters
* Look out for dolphins and Whales - 4 ferry trips INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
For a flavour of the amazing Western Isles watch this clip
TOUR CHECK- IN: 08.30am RETURNS: APPROX 17.30pm
Departs Saturdays (May to Oct)
*May, June & July departures will not be staying at the Castle
Got a free day in the UK before your trip? Check out our awesome Stonehenge & Bath Tour from London!
What’s included? An unforgettable adventure with like-minded travellers, transport, including all ferries and a legendary tour guide!
What’s not included? Accommodation, meals and entrance fees allowing you to keep your option open.
Click HERE for more details
Day 1: Edinburgh To Carbisdale Castle
Heading north from Edinburgh, we pass through Perthshire - surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. First stop is at Dunkeld and Birnam Wood, site of Macbeth's battle in 1054. Lunch is in the small village of Kingussie, made famous by the 'Monarch of the Glen' TV show. Then it's off to lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain. Then it’s on to world famous Loch Ness for a wee bit of monster spotting before heading for our lavish evening accommodation in a Haunted Highland Castle!*
Day 2: Carbisdale Castle To Orkney
We travel north through the sparsely populated wilderness of Sutherland and Caithness, via glens left deserted as a result of the Highland Clearances, and on to John 'O' Groats, Britain's most north easterly point. We then catch the ferry to the Orkney Islands, home to more archaeological ruins in one area than anywhere else in Europe! We spend the night in the island's capital, Kirkwall. The Orkneys have only been a part of Scotland since 1490 and the islands still retain a very distinctive Scandinavian influence.
Day 3: Orkney
A free day on the Orkneys with a local transport pass (included) to explore the amazing sites. Discover the naval battle at Scapa Flow and Kirkwall Cathedral, burial place of Viking Kings and warriors. Explore Skara Brae, dating from the late Neolithic period and inhabited between 3200BC and 2200BC. This incredible stone village is made up of eight dwellings (some still containing original furniture) linked together by a series of low alleyways and is a marvel of ancient building techniques. You can also experience the magnificent standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar.
Day 4: Orkney to Ullapool
We say farewell to these unique islands and make the crossing by ferry back to the mainland, hopefully seeing some whales and dolphins on the way. Then follow the stunning North coast, passing sandy beaches and stopping for lunch in the lovely village of Tongue. We then journey along the wild North West coast to the charming fishing town of Ullapool, passing bleak landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery and unspoilt sandy beaches. Ullapool was once a Viking stopover and is now a bustling fishing port and gateway to the Western Isles. It's famous for its seafood and traditional music and is a great place to explore.
Day 5: Ullapool to Lewis
We catch the ferry to Lewis, where we spend the night. Today we visit the stunning Callanish Standing Stones, Neolithic in age and dating back more than 5000 years. Much quieter than Stonehenge, these are said to be some of the most impressive and inspiring of any of the ancient stones in Britain. These Hebridean islands are predominantly Gaelic speaking and have an unbroken culture dating back thousands of years. Tonight is your chance to hear traditional music and haunting Gaelic tunes.
Day 6: Harris To Skye & Loch Ness
In the morning we explore the amazing beaches of Harris, famous for its clear blue waters, magnificent mountain backdrop and traditional crofting culture. These islands are home to the Clan MacLeod who lived here for over 1200 years. After exploring the wonders of Harris, we leave the MacLeod homeland and cross by Ferry to the 'winged island', the Isle of Skye. We explore the magical Isle of Skye before heading for Eilean Donan Castle and the mainland.
Day 7: Loch Ness To Edinburgh
We explore infamous Loch Ness and The Great Glen before passing Fort William and Ben Nevis - Britain's highest mountain. Discover 'The Weeping Glen', Glencoe, where we hear about the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds. Over the wilds of Rannoch Moor, we then stop in historic Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of Braveheart is told, before returning to the capital City of Edinburgh!
* N.B. Another hostel may be substituted for Carbisdale Castle as an overnight stop.