Itinerary
- Day 1
Inverness to Orkney
You'll leave Inverness early and drive north through the Scottish Highlands, with Dunrobin Castle visible along the way before you reach the dramatic northeast coast. The route takes you through John o' Groats, and from there you'll head to Gills Bay to catch the ferry across the Pentland Firth to Orkney. Once you arrive, stop by the Italian Chapel, then continue into Kirkwall. This evening you can wander the historic streets and check out the Viking Cathedral at your own pace.
- Start point
- Inverness, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom (Inverness)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Italian Chapel
- Explore Kirkwall Viking Cathedral
- Ferry crossing across Pentland Firth
Optional Activities
- Stroll Kirkwall's historic winding streets
- Shopping and browsing in Kirkwall
Landmarks/POIs Dunrobin Castle John o' Groats Italian Chapel Kirkwall Viking Cathedral - Day 2
Orkney
This day focuses on Orkney's ancient past, starting with Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic site where you can see stone homes and built-in furniture preserved from millennia ago. Next you'll visit the Stones of Stenness, massive prehistoric stones dating back over 5,000 years that were used for ancient ceremonies. After that, head to Maeshowe cairn to see one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions from the 12th century carved into the walls. You'll be back in Kirkwall by early evening with free time to do what you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Skara Brae archaeological site
- Visit Stones of Stenness
- Visit Maeshowe cairn
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration and activities in Kirkwall
Landmarks/POIs Skara Brae Stones of Stenness Maeshowe 
- Day 3
Orkney to Inverness
Start your final morning in Kirkwall with time to pick up souvenirs and take one last walk through the cathedral. You'll then travel south across Orkney's windswept terrain, passing by Scapa Flow's calm waters on the way to St Margaret's Hope and the ferry port. During the journey back toward Inverness, your driver-guide shares information about the Highland Clearances and points out less obvious sights along the route. You should arrive back in Inverness by early evening.
Included Activities
- Final visit to Kirkwall Cathedral
- Ferry crossing from Orkney to mainland Scotland
- Driver-guide commentary on Highland history and scenery
Optional Activities
- Shopping for gifts and souvenirs in Kirkwall
Landmarks/POIs Scapa Flow St Margaret's Hope
