5-Day Orkney & Scotland's Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
5 days
Small Group
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh - Inverness
Stop At: Buachaille Etive Mor, Ballachulish Scotland
Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Fort Augustus Abbey, Fort Augustus Scotland
Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet is a popular tourist destination.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Inverness.
Day 2: Inverness - John O' Groats - Orkney
Stop At: Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, Golspie KW10 6SF Scotland
Short photo stop - please note the path leading to the front of the castle is quite steep, not suitable for everyone.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: John O' Groats, Airor KW1 4YR Scotland
This Highland village combines dramatic, unspoilt scenery and fascinating wildlife.
Just 11 miles from Dunnet Head, the mostly 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.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kirkwall.
Day 3: Full day touring around Orkneys
Stop At: Skara Brae B9056, Stromness KW16 3LR Scotland
Long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids were built, Skara Brae was a thriving village. Step back 5,000 years in time to explore the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ring of Brodgar, You do not need to book to get into this attraction. There is free access at all times., Stromness Scotland
One of the finest stone circles in the world.
Dating back from 2,500 to 2,000 BC, the stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained sixty megaliths; today only twenty-seven of these stones remain.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kirkwall.
Day 4: Kirkwall - St Margaret's Hope - Ullapool
Stop At: Standing Stones of Stenness, Stenness Scotland
Step back in time over 5000 years at what may be the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. The enormous Stones of Stenness are all that remains of a great stone circle on an ancient ceremonial site.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Maeshowe, Ireland Rd, Stenness KW16 3LB Scotland
The monumental chambered tomb of Maeshowe is simply the finest Neolithic building in NW Europe. Built around 5,000 years ago, it is a masterpiece of Neolithic design and stonework construction, not least for its use of massive individual stones.
Viking crusaders broke into the cairn in the 12th century and carved graffiti runes on the walls of the main chamber. Maeshowe is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, along with Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Italian Chapel, Lamb Holm, St. Mary's KW17 2RT Scotland
Visit the Italian Chapel, a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel in Lamb Holm which was constructed by Italians during the Second World War.
Duration: 40 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ullapool.
Day 5: Ullapool - Edinburgh
Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ullapool Scotland
This plunging box canyon, through which the River Droma rushes, is one of the natural wonders of the Scottish Highlands. Follow the pleasant woodland trails, cross the Victorian suspension bridge over the tree-lined gorge, and look down on the torrent of water crashing 45m over the Falls of Measach.
Duration: 40 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
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Day 1: Edinburgh - Inverness
Stop At: Buachaille Etive Mor, Ballachulish Scotland
Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Fort Augustus Abbey, Fort Augustus Scotland
Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet is a popular tourist destination.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Inverness.
Day 2: Inverness - John O' Groats - Orkney
Stop At: Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, Golspie KW10 6SF Scotland
Short photo stop - please note the path leading to the front of the castle is quite steep, not suitable for everyone.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: John O' Groats, Airor KW1 4YR Scotland
This Highland village combines dramatic, unspoilt scenery and fascinating wildlife.
Just 11 miles from Dunnet Head, the mostly 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.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kirkwall.
Day 3: Full day touring around Orkneys
Stop At: Skara Brae B9056, Stromness KW16 3LR Scotland
Long before Stonehenge or even the Egyptian pyramids were built, Skara Brae was a thriving village. Step back 5,000 years in time to explore the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ring of Brodgar, You do not need to book to get into this attraction. There is free access at all times., Stromness Scotland
One of the finest stone circles in the world.
Dating back from 2,500 to 2,000 BC, the stone ring was built in a true circle, 104 metres wide and originally contained sixty megaliths; today only twenty-seven of these stones remain.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kirkwall.
Day 4: Kirkwall - St Margaret's Hope - Ullapool
Stop At: Standing Stones of Stenness, Stenness Scotland
Step back in time over 5000 years at what may be the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. The enormous Stones of Stenness are all that remains of a great stone circle on an ancient ceremonial site.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Maeshowe, Ireland Rd, Stenness KW16 3LB Scotland
The monumental chambered tomb of Maeshowe is simply the finest Neolithic building in NW Europe. Built around 5,000 years ago, it is a masterpiece of Neolithic design and stonework construction, not least for its use of massive individual stones.
Viking crusaders broke into the cairn in the 12th century and carved graffiti runes on the walls of the main chamber. Maeshowe is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, along with Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Italian Chapel, Lamb Holm, St. Mary's KW17 2RT Scotland
Visit the Italian Chapel, a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel in Lamb Holm which was constructed by Italians during the Second World War.
Duration: 40 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ullapool.
Day 5: Ullapool - Edinburgh
Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland
Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Corrieshalloch Gorge, Ullapool Scotland
This plunging box canyon, through which the River Droma rushes, is one of the natural wonders of the Scottish Highlands. Follow the pleasant woodland trails, cross the Victorian suspension bridge over the tree-lined gorge, and look down on the torrent of water crashing 45m over the Falls of Measach.
Duration: 40 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- Accommodation included: 4 nights
- 4 nights en-suite accommodation in either a B&B or 3-star hotel (breakfast included)
- Small-group tour (maximum 16 passengers)
- Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Driver/guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Meals and refreshments
- Admission fees & optional activities.
- Entry/Admission - Dunrobin Castle and Gardens
- Entry/Admission - Skara Brae
- Entry/Admission - Maeshowe
- Entry/Admission - The Italian Chapel
- Entry/Admission - Culloden Battlefield
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 9 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Minimum age for travel on this tour is 5 years
- Please note: you will be required to choose between either a 3-star bed and breakfast or 3-star hotel at time of booking
- Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately
- When booking three or more people, efforts will be made to book a combination of suitable rooms (double/twin/family). Preferences should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
- Family rooms are limited and may be available on request. Maximum of 2 Adults and 1 child in one room. Family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children are not available
- Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Passengers travelling after 1st April 2020 are allowed to carry 20kg of luggage (44lbs); one medium sized suitcase/bag similar to airline standard carry-on luggage (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
65%
Aquatic
30%
Reviews
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This tour was brilliant. Michael our tour guide was funny, professional and friendly. He had so much local knowledge and we loved his stories. He is obviously a proud Scot. We couldn't fault anything- the accommodation was very comfy and first rate with great breakfast, the coach was comfy and modern and the itinerary was jam packed but manageable. Thanks for helping us fall in love with the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands.
ORKNEY ISLANDS SCOTLAND TOUR WITH RABBIES WAS EXCELLENT. JAMES WAS A GREAT DRIVER AND TOUR GUIDE. VERY WELL INFORMED, AND WELL-SPOKEN. HE WAS VERY HELPFUL. TOP INTEREST WAS THE NEOLITHIC SITES ON ORKNEY. BED AND BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATIONS WERE GOOD BREAKFAST WAS EXCELLENT. THE ONLY REAL PROBLEM WAS GETTING THE ACCOMMODATION INFO FROM VIATOR BEFORE TRAVEL I CONTACTED THEM 4 TIMES, AND COULD NOT GET THIS INFORMATION, UNTIL I PERSONALLY WENT TO RABBIES IN EDINBURGH IN PERSON TWO DAYS BEFORE THE TRIP. IT IS A LONG JOURNEY TO TAKE WITHOUT PRE NOTIFICATION OF ACCOMMODATION FOR FAMILY, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. NOT ACCEPTABLE! MERCEDES VAN WAS VERY NICE.