Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Islay
You'll leave Edinburgh this morning and drive west through the Scottish Highlands. First stop is Trossnachs National Park where you can take in the scenery, and then you'll head to Oban for a whisky tasting and an optional seafood lunch. After that, you'll pass through Kilmartin Glen to see the ancient standing stones and historic strongholds. Later you'll catch the ferry to Islay, a crossing of about 2 hours where you might spot the Paps of Jura. You'll arrive in Bowmore for your first night on the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Trossnachs National Park
- Taste local whisky in Oban
- Pass through Kilmartin Glen with standing stones and historic fortified strongholds
- Ferry crossing to Islay (approximately 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Taste regional delicacies at Trossnachs National Park
- Seafood lunch in Oban
Landmarks Trossnachs National Park Oban Kilmartin Glen Paps of Jura - Day 2
Islay
After breakfast at your accommodation, you'll spend the day visiting three distilleries on Islay. Starting with Bowmore, one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, where you'll get a tour and tasting included. Then you'll head to Kilchoman Distillery (or Ardnahoe if traveling September 5-6, 2025) for two more whisky drams and a lunch of Scottish specialities. You'll finish at Bunnahabhain, the most remote distillery on the island. By evening you're back in Bowmore with free time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Scottish specialities at Kilchoman Distillery)
Included Activities
- Bowmore Distillery tour and whisky tasting
- Kilchoman Distillery tasting (two drams) and Scottish lunch
- Bunnahabhain Distillery visit (included from April 2026 onwards)
Optional Activities
- Bunnahabhain Distillery visit (optional and not included before April 2026)
Landmarks Bowmore Distillery Kilchoman Distillery Ardnahoe Distillery Bunnahabhain Distillery - Day 3
Islay
You'll explore the southern half of Islay this day. Starting at Ardbeg Distillery for an included tour and tasting, then moving to Laphroaig, a distillery over 200 years old and favored by the British Royal Family. Throughout the day you'll stop at the historic ruins of Kildalton Church and Dunyvaig Castle, which was once held by the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. You'll return to Bowmore for your last night on the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ardbeg Distillery tour and tasting
- Laphroaig Distillery tasting
- Visit historic ruins of Kildalton Church
- Visit Dunyvaig Castle
Landmarks Ardbeg Distillery Laphroaig Distillery Kildalton Church Dunyvaig Castle - Day 4
Islay to Oban
In the morning you'll take the return ferry back to the mainland, leaving the whisky production behind for the crisp Highland air. You'll pass through the pretty village of Inveraray on the shore of Loch Fyne where you'll switch minibuses and guides. Some travelers return to Edinburgh from here, but if you're continuing, you'll head on to Oban for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Islay to mainland
- Pass through Inveraray village
Landmarks Inveraray Loch Fyne - Day 5
Oban to Mull to Iona
You'll start early and take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. During the crossing you can watch for white-tailed eagles, the UK's largest bird of prey, while taking in the dramatic coastlines. From there you'll take another ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and home to ancient burial grounds of Scottish kings. You'll see the historic abbey and windswept coastline. In the afternoon there's an option for a boat trip to Staffa to visit Fingal's Cave with its remarkable geological formations and marine life. Back to Oban for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Isle of Mull
- Ferry crossing to Iona
- Visit historic Iona Abbey
- Explore Iona's windswept coastline
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Staffa and Fingal's Cave (approximately GBP £40, payable locally)
Landmarks Isle of Mull Iona Abbey Staffa Fingal's Cave 
- Day 6
Oban to Balmacara
You'll drive north along the coast passing Castle Stalker, then enter Glencoe, a location with beautiful scenery but haunted by the 1692 massacre. Continuing through Fort William and past Ben Nevis (Great Britain's highest peak), you'll drive through quiet glens and alongside lochs. You'll see the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donan Castle with photo stops and short breaks along the way. Later you'll arrive in Balmacara, a small village with loch views and surrounding hills. This evening you can explore local trails, visit Balmacara Estate, or grab a meal at a local inn or pub.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glencoe
- Pass Castle Stalker
- Pass Ben Nevis
- Pass Five Sisters of Kintail
- Pass Eilean Donan Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore local trails in Balmacara
- Visit Balmacara Estate
- Meal at a local inn or pub
Landmarks Castle Stalker Glencoe Fort William Ben Nevis Five Sisters of Kintail Eilean Donan Castle Balmacara Estate - Day 7
Isle of Skye
You'll explore the remote Isle of Skye with your guide choosing the best highlights based on weather and local conditions. Hiking will likely be part of your day to enjoy the dramatic scenery. The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk are popular options, or you might visit Neist Point Lighthouse instead. You'll spend the day taking photos and enjoying the pristine environment before returning to Balmacara in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Isle of Skye exploration and hiking (specific activities determined by weather and guide)
Optional Activities
- The Quiraing hill walk
- Old Man of Storr Walk
- Neist Point Lighthouse visit
Landmarks Isle of Skye The Quiraing Old Man of Storr Neist Point Lighthouse 
- Day 8
Balmacara to Inverness
You'll visit Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th century fortress on an island, then drive to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail for more of Scotland's dramatic landscape. Later you'll stop for lunch at Loch Ness and keep an eye out for 'Nessie'. In the village of Spean Bridge the group will split, with some heading back to Edinburgh while others (like you) continue north to Orkney with a new guide. You'll travel the full 23-mile length of the Great Glen on your way to Inverness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At Loch Ness)
Included Activities
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle
- Visit Loch Duich and Five Sisters of Kintail
- Lunch stop at Loch Ness
- Drive through Great Glen (23 miles)
Landmarks Eilean Donan Castle Loch Duich Five Sisters of Kintail Loch Ness Spean Bridge Great Glen 
- Day 9
Inverness to Kirkwall
You'll leave Inverness early and head past Dunrobin Castle along the northeast Highland coastline, taking in dramatic scenery throughout. If ferry schedules work out, you'll stop at John o'Groats on the northeastern tip of Great Britain. From there you'll board the ferry to Orkney at Gills Bay, crossing the Pentland Firth. Once you land on the archipelago, you'll visit the colorful Italian Chapel before arriving in Kirkwall, the former Viking stronghold and capital of the Orkney Islands. This evening is free to visit the magnificent Viking Cathedral of St Magnus, which dates back to the 12th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dunrobin Castle
- Stop at John o'Groats (if ferry timetables allow)
- Ferry crossing across Pentland Firth to Orkney
- Visit Italian Chapel
Optional Activities
- Visit Viking Cathedral of St Magnus
Landmarks Dunrobin Castle John o'Groats Gills Bay Pentland Firth Italian Chapel Kirkwall St Magnus Cathedral 
- Day 10
Orkney
You'll explore Orkney today, seeing green pastures and windswept sandy beaches alongside the archipelago's rich history. You'll visit Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement older than the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge. Then you'll see the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the standing stones at Stenness, both UNESCO-listed as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. After that, you'll visit Maeshowe with its well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions from the 12th century. You'll return to Kirkwall for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Skara Brae (5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement)
- Visit Stone Circle at Brodgar
- Visit standing stones at Stenness
- Visit Maeshowe with Viking runic inscriptions
Landmarks Skara Brae Ring of Brodgar Stenness Standing Stones Maeshowe - Day 11
Orkney to Ullapool
After breakfast you'll take the return ferry back to the mainland from Orkney. You'll then drive along Scotland's northern coast, taking in Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains and the picturesque coastline. You'll stop to see Ardvreck Castle in the far northwest mountains of Assynt before reaching Ullapool, a pretty whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. This evening is free to relax and explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Orkney to mainland
- Drive along northern Scottish coastline
- View Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains
- Visit Ardvreck Castle
Landmarks Ben Loyal Ben Hope Ardvreck Castle Ullapool Loch Broom 
- Day 12
Ullapool to Edinburgh
You'll make your way back to Edinburgh with several interesting stops along the way. You'll see where the River Droma drops 60 metres over a cliff into Corrieshalloch Gorge and pass views of Loch Glascarnoch. There's a short stop at Culloden Moor, site of the 1746 battle and the last stand of the Jacobites. You'll also see the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, made famous by Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' books. Later you'll journey around the edge of the Cairngorm mountains past lush pine forests and arrive back in Edinburgh, where your tour ends at 19:00.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Corrieshalloch Gorge
- View Loch Glascarnoch
- Visit Culloden Moor
- Visit Culloden Museum and Battlefield
- View Clava Cairns standing stones
- Drive around Cairngorm mountains edge
Landmarks Corrieshalloch Gorge River Droma Loch Glascarnoch Culloden Moor Culloden Museum and Battlefield Clava Cairns Cairngorm Mountains 
