Itinerary

Monday, Day 01: Depart the 207 High Street Edinburgh meeting point at 09:00 and we take you west to Scotland's first National Park around Loch Lomond, stopping at the charming conservation village of Luss. Travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands, through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the standing stones of Kilmartin, before arriving in the beautiful fishing harbor town of Oban.

Tuesday, Day 02: Today an early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and enjoy an island adventure, exploring the dramatic coastlines, before taking the small ferry to Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity. Weather permitting, there is an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal's Cave”. Return on the ferry to Oban.

Wednesday, Day 03: We travel north along the West Coast around Appin, passing Glencoe, the scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald. We continue through Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with its great views over Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. We then take the “Road to the Isles” and stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film “Highlander”. Crossing over the sea to Skye, we travel up to the picturesque harbor town of Portree stopping for dinner on the way. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. Overnight Portree/ Isle of Skye.

Thursday, Day 04: Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and we take passengers preferences into account. You might travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary scenery. Visit Kilt Rock with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs. Later go for a walk out to a lighthouse, the furthest westerly point on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle. Talisker Distillery is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. Return to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening. Overnight Portree/ Isle of Skye.

Friday, Day 05: Today we travel south through the Cuillin and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting ‘Nessie'. We continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch passing by Urquhart castle. You can expect to arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital, and the place of our overnight stay at approximately 18:30. The evening in Inverness will be free for you to explore the ‘Capital of the Highlands'.

Saturday, Day 06: Today sees an early start, crossing over the Black Isle, and past Andrew Carnegie's Skibo Castle. From here we drive through the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery, with views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as Golden Eagles and red deer. At Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John o' Groats, we board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. It is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where we stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, where we stay for 2 nights.

Sunday, Day 07: Explore this fantastic ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Highlights include a visit to Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar, the standing stones of Stenness, and Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions.

Monday, Day 08: Time to leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here we travel right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of our northern coastline. You then visit the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. We continue to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you spend your last night's stay on tour.

Tuesday, Day 09: Our morning includes visits to Corrieshalloch Gorge, the ancient Clava Cairns and the more recent bloody history of the Culloden battlefield, before returning south through the grandeur of the Cairngorm National Park, the ancient Caledonian pine forest and Highland Perthshire to Edinburgh, where our tour ends.

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