Western Isles & Orkney - 9 days
Western Isles & Orkney - 9 days
Western Isles & Orkney - 9 days
9 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Visiting: Edinburgh, Isle of Mull, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Inverness, John o'Groats, Scotland, Orkney, Ullapool
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through the Western Isles and Orkney, exploring the breathtaking landscapes and rich history of Scotland. Begin your adventure in Edinburgh, traveling through the scenic Trossachs National Park to the historic town of Oban. Discover the wild beauty of the Isle of Mull and the spiritual heritage of Iona. Experience the haunting allure of Glencoe and the rugged charm of the Isle of Skye. Hunt for the legendary Loch Ness monster and delve into the ancient mysteries of Orkney, visiting UNESCO-listed sites like Skara Brae and Maeshowe. Conclude your tour with a scenic drive through the Scottish Highlands, visiting Culloden Moor and the enchanting Clava Cairns, before returning to Edinburgh. Enjoy the comfort of simple guesthouse accommodations, guided by a local expert, and travel in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, ensuring an intimate and immersive experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Kathmore, Altavona or similar
Edinburgh - Trossnachs National Park - Oban. Departing Edinburgh this morning, we head west, first visiting Trossnachs National Park. Admire some of the country's famous scenery before heading to the 18th-century town of Inveraray. We then make our way through the mountainous Western Highlands to Oban, a port town once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans.
Please note: Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.
Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar
Day 2: Mull
Location: Isle of Mull
Accommodation Name: Kathmore, Altavona or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Oban - Mull - Iona - Oban. It's an early start this morning as we take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Take in dramatic coastlines and wild natural beauty, and keep our eyes on the skies for majestic white-tailed eagles, the UK's largest bird of prey.
We then take another ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and home to the ancient burial grounds of famed Scottish kings. We can see the historic abbey and take in more of the windswept coastline of the Scottish Isles.
There's an optional small boat trip to the uninhabited island of Staffa to see the basalt columns of Fingal's Cave. We then return to Oban on the ferry.
Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar
Day 3: Glencoe
Location: Glencoe
Accommodation Name: Sabhal na Mara, Hillview, Haven Guest House or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Oban - Glencoe - Fort William - Plockton. Driving north along the coast, we pass Castle Stalker and visit Glencoe, a truly beautiful location haunted by the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II.We then pass through Fort William and past Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Great Britain. Continuing through the Great Glen, we arrive in Plockton, a small fishing village known for its palm trees! We overnight here.Accommodation: Balmacara Hotel
Day 4: Skye
Location: Isle of Skye
Accommodation Name: Sabhal na Mara, Hillview, Haven Guest House or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Balmacara - Skye - Plockton. Today we will be exploring the remote Isle of Skye, but there is no fixed itinerary for the day. The weather can be unpredictable, so our guide will choose the best highlights to show us in accordance with the conditions and any events that may be happening on the island during our visit. We are likely to be hiking, in order to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the island. Options include The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk, probably the most famous trail on the island. We can also see the Neist Point Lighthouse. Spend the day taking photos, sampling the view and enjoying everything this pristine environment has to offer. In the late afternoon, we return to our accommodation in BalmacaraAccommodation: Balmacara Hotel
Day 5: Plockton
Location: Inverness
Accommodation Name: Dalmore, Pine Guest House, Aye Stay or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Plockton - Loch Ness - Inverness. Today we visit Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th century fortress, located on an island. We then drive to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail, taking in more of Scotland's dramatic scenery. There's a stop for lunch at Loch Ness, so keep your eyes peeled for 'Nessie', the Loch Ness monster!
We then stop in the village of Spean Bridge. Here our group splits once more, as some travellers will be returning to Edinburgh, whilst we continue north to Orkney. Our guides will be on hand to help us move our luggage and introduce us to the new group for the remainder of our trip. We then complete our journey to Inverness, travelling up the entire 23-mile length of the Great Glen.
Accommodation: Dalmore, Pine Guest House, Aye Stay or similar
Day 6: John O'groats
Location: John o'Groats, Scotland
Accommodation Name: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Inverness - John o'Groats - Kirkwall. Departing Inverness early, we head past Dunrobin Castle and along the coastline of the northeast Highlands, taking in some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. If the ferry timetables allow, we will enjoy a stop at John o'Groats, on the north-eastern tip of Great Britain. Arriving in Gills Bay, we board the ferry to Orkney, crossing Pentland Firth. Landing on the archipelago, we stop for a visit to the colourful Italian Chapel before arriving in the former Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands. The evening is free, we recommend paying a visit to the magnificent Viking Cathedral of St Magnus, dating back to the 12th Century.
Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar
Day 7: Orkney
Location: Orkney
Accommodation Name: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we explore Orkney, taking in the stunning nature of green pastures and windswept sandy beaches alongside Orkney's past. We take in the 5,000-year old village of Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement older even than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge! We also take in the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones at Stenness. Each of these sites is UNESCO-listed as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
We also visit Maeshowe, home to a number of well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions, dating back to the 12th century. We then return to Kirkwall for the night.
Accommodation: Bellavista Guest House, Heatherlea B&B, Hildeval B&B or similar
Day 8: Ullapool
Location: Ullapool
Accommodation Name: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kirkwall - Ullapool. This morning after breakfast, it is time to depart Orkney, as we take the return ferry back to the mainland. We then take a spectacular drive along the northern coast of Scotland, taking in the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben hope mountains and a picturesque coastline. We stop to admire Ardvreck Castle in the far north-west mountains of Assynt before reaching Ullapool, a pretty whitewashed fishing village located at the mouth of Loch Broom.
Accommodation: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar
Day 9: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ullapool - Culloden Moor - Edinburgh. Leaving Ullapool, we witness the dramatic plunge of the River Droma into Corrieshalloch Gorge, followed by a scenic stop at Loch Glascarnoch en route to Inverness, the 'Capital of the Highlands'. We visit historic sites like Culloden Moor, site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, and the ancient Clava Cairns, renowned from the 'Outlander' books.
Continuing through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest near Cairngorm, we enjoy lunch amidst the natural beauty before journeying through Perthshire's Big Tree country and the Kingdom of Fife on the way back to Edinburgh.
Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
What's Included
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Accommodation
Simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available) -
8 breakfasts
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8 nights simple guesthouse (hotel upgrade available)
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Escorted by a local driver-guide
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Admission to Skara Brae
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Admission to Maeshowe
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Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield
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Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning
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All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland
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All road tolls
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20kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details
What's Not Included
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International flights & visas
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Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)
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Meals not specified in itinerary
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!
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Entry fees unless specified
Age Policy
Min:5yrs with an adultChild discount available for 5-15 yrs sharing with 2 adults
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, complete with air-conditioning, and enjoy all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland, ensuring a seamless and comfortable travel experience.
Accommodation
Enjoy 8 nights in simple guesthouses, with the option to upgrade to hotels, ensuring a comfortable stay as you explore the stunning landscapes of Scotland's Western Isles and Orkney.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 8 nights in simple guesthouses, with an option for a hotel upgrade.
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Is there a guide accompanying the tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning.
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Are ferry journeys included in the tour?
Yes, all necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland are included.
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What is the luggage allowance for the tour?
The luggage allowance is 20kg per person. Further details can be found in the Trip Notes.
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Is tipping expected during the tour?
Tipping is not included and is considered an entirely personal gesture.
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Will there be opportunities for hiking during the tour?
Yes, there are opportunities for hiking, especially on the Isle of Skye, where options include The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.