Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Oban
Start early from Edinburgh heading west through the Scottish countryside. You'll stop at Trossachs National Park to take in some of the country's most well-known scenery, then move on to Inveraray, an 18th-century town worth a quick look. From there, the drive takes you through the Western Highlands into Oban, a historic port town where you'll spend the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Trossachs National Park
- Stop in Inveraray
Landmarks Trossachs National Park Inveraray - Day 2
Mull - Iona - Oban
Catch an early ferry to the Isle of Mull where you'll see dramatic coastlines and wild landscapes. Keep an eye out for white-tailed eagles, Britain's largest bird of prey. A second ferry takes you to Iona, birthplace of Celtic Christianity with ancient royal burial grounds. Check out the historic abbey and the windswept coastlines. There's an optional afternoon boat trip to Staffa and Fingal's Cave if you want to add that on (costs extra).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Isle of Mull
- Ferry to Iona
- Visit Iona Abbey
- Wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Staffa and Fingal's Cave (approx GBP £40, payable locally)
Landmarks Isle of Mull Iona Abbey Fingal's Cave - Day 3
Oban to Balmacara
Head north along the coast, passing Castle Stalker and then visiting Glencoe, a location that's beautiful but also carries important historical weight. Continue through Fort William and you'll pass Ben Nevis, Great Britain's highest peak. The journey continues through the Great Glen to reach Balmacara by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glencoe
- Pass Ben Nevis
- Pass Castle Stalker
Landmarks Castle Stalker Glencoe Ben Nevis 
- Day 4
Isle of Skye - Plockton
The Isle of Skye is yours to explore, though the exact route depends on weather conditions and your guide's recommendations. You'll likely get some hiking in to see the dramatic scenery. Options include The Quiraing hill walk, Old Man of Storr walk (one of the island's most famous trails), or checking out Neist Point Lighthouse. Spend the day photographing, taking in views, and enjoying this remote environment before heading back to your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Isle of Skye exploration with flexible itinerary based on weather
- Hiking activities (options include The Quiraing, Old Man of Storr walk, or Neist Point Lighthouse)
Landmarks Isle of Skye The Quiraing Old Man of Storr Neist Point Lighthouse 
- Day 5
Plockton to Inverness
Start with Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th-century fortress on an island, then drive to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail. Stop for lunch near Loch Ness where you might spot 'Nessie'. At Spean Bridge, your group may split (some return to Edinburgh, others continue to Orkney). If you're continuing, travel the full 23-mile length of the Great Glen to reach Inverness.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Loch Ness)
Included Activities
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle
- Loch Duich and Five Sisters of Kintail viewing
- Loch Ness stop
Landmarks Eilean Donan Castle Loch Duich Five Sisters of Kintail Loch Ness - Day 6
Inverness to Kirkwall
Leave Inverness early and travel past Dunrobin Castle along the northeast Highlands coast, taking in dramatic views. Depending on ferry schedules, you might stop at John o'Groats on Great Britain's northeastern tip. Board the ferry at Gills Bay to cross Pentland Firth to Orkney. Stop at the colorful Italian Chapel, then arrive in Kirkwall, a former Viking stronghold and the Orkney Islands' capital. Your evening is free to wander around or visit the 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral if you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from mainland to Orkney
- Visit Italian Chapel
Optional Activities
- Visit St Magnus Cathedral (recommended but not included)
Landmarks Dunrobin Castle John o'Groats Italian Chapel St Magnus Cathedral 
- Day 7
Orkney
Explore Orkney's natural landscape and historical sites. Visit Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement that predates both the Pyramids and Stonehenge. See the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the standing stones at Stenness. Stop at Maeshowe to see well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions from the 12th century. These sites are all UNESCO-listed as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Return to Kirkwall for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission to Skara Brae
- Visit Brodgar stone circle
- Visit Stenness standing stones
- Admission to Maeshowe
Landmarks Skara Brae Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones of Stenness Maeshowe - Day 8
Orkney to Ullapool
After breakfast, take the return ferry from Orkney back to the mainland. The drive along Scotland's northern coast offers views of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains plus a nice coastline. Stop to see Ardvreck Castle in the northwest mountains of Assynt, then continue to Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Orkney to mainland
- View Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains
- Visit Ardvreck Castle
Landmarks Ben Loyal Ben Hope Ardvreck Castle 
- Day 9
Ullapool to Edinburgh
Leave Ullapool and see the River Droma plunge dramatically into Corrieshalloch Gorge. Stop at Loch Glascarnoch on your way to Inverness, the Highlands' main hub. Visit Culloden Moor, site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, and the ancient Clava Cairns (well-known from the Outlander books). Have lunch in the natural beauty of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest near Cairngorm, then drive through Perthshire and the Kingdom of Fife back to Edinburgh.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Caledonian Pine Forest near Cairngorm)
Included Activities
- View Corrieshalloch Gorge
- Stop at Loch Glascarnoch
- Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield
- Visit Clava Cairns
Landmarks Corrieshalloch Gorge Loch Glascarnoch Culloden Battlefield Clava Cairns
