From Edinburgh: Orkney, Skye and the Far North 8 Day Tour

What makes this tour fun is how it strings together three Scotland styles in one trip, Highlands roads, the wild beauty of Skye, then the surprisingly eerie, human-history weight of Orkney. I like that the program gives you a full day in Skye, not just a quick stop so you can slow down and take in real viewpoints.

My other big like is the Orkney history day, where you hit Maes Howe and Skara Brae in the same stretch and get context for why these islands mattered so much thousands of years ago. The main drawback to factor in is lodging can be a bit hit or miss, and sometimes it is remote, so you may feel the travel time a little more at night.

Key highlights to look forward to

• A full day in Skye with time for Cuillin views, Quiraing slopes, and the Trotternish Peninsula
• Orkney’s prehistoric power with included entry to Maes Howe and Skara Brae
• Loch Ness with built-in flexibility, including optional Urquhart Castle and a loch cruise
• Iconic stops that earn their fame like Glen Coe, Fort William, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Orkney’s unusual WWII and POW layers, including the Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers
• Driver/guide energy matters, with names like Brodie, Kenny, Alex, Andy, Gram, Tommy, and Catherine showing up in positive guide feedback

Why this Edinburgh-to-Orkney route works so well

This is the kind of trip that makes Scotland feel bigger than it does on a map. You start by easing west through the Trossachs and Glen areas, then you shift into island time on Skye and later Orkney. Along the way, you get the big emotional hits, mountains that look close enough to touch, loch views, and stone sites that make you stand still.

The best part for me is pacing. You are not trying to do everything in one city or squeeze in a frantic checklist. Instead, you get an actual day in Skye, then an actual day across Orkney’s main historic clusters. That structure helps you remember what you saw, not just that you rode a bus.

One more reason it works, the tour gives you optional add-ons where they actually make sense. If you want castles or time on the loch, you can spend extra. If you would rather keep it simple and use the included time, you can.

Day 1 to Oban: Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and ancient Kilmartin Glen

Your first day is a scenic warm-up. You head west through the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area, then continue on to Kilmartin Glen. This is where Scotland’s past starts getting real, not just postcard ruins.

Kilmartin Glen is your history-rich stretch, with chances to walk around ancient spots like Dunadd Hill Fort and the Temple Wood Stone Circle. These are the kinds of places that feel good for photos, but they also reward slow walking. If you like understanding how people lived before modern roads and cities, this day sets the tone.

You finish in Oban, which is a practical base for the next leg toward the Highlands. Oban also means you will likely be thinking about ferries soon, which is handy mentally for later Skye and Orkney crossings.

Tip: dress for wet and wind on this first day. It can shift fast in the west, and being comfortable helps you enjoy the walking.

Day 2 to Skye: Glen Coe, Fort William, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct ferry moment

Day 2 leans into high-drama scenery. You drive through Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most haunting valleys, and you stop around Fort William with views near Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.

Then comes a stop that will either delight you or at least make you smile if you know the film connection, the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by Harry Potter. Even if you are not into the films, it is a great “this is why people come here” viewpoint.

After that, you take the ferry to the Isle of Skye. This is an important transition point. The day shifts from mainland roads to island rhythms, and the ferry time makes the trip feel less like nonstop transportation.

You end the day overnight on Skye, so you get to wake up on island time rather than racing straight through.

Practical note: if you are motion sensitive, plan ahead. You are using buses and ferries, and Scotland’s weather can make surfaces feel more bouncy than expected.

Day 3 on Skye: Cuillin Mountains, Quiraing, and Trotternish Peninsula time

This is the day you want to use for viewpoints and walking breaks, because it is built as a true whole day exploring Skye.

You are in position for the big Skye scenery moments:

• Cuillin Mountains views, especially good when the light is changing
• Quiraing, known for its slanted hills and dramatic slopes
• Trotternish Peninsula, where the coastline and rock formations keep pulling your attention outward

Skye can be busy in peak season, but the tour format helps because you have scheduled time, not just a quick “see it and rush” loop. If you like taking photos, bring extra memory space and keep your battery warm in your pocket when it is cold.

One drawback to plan for: Skye weather is unpredictable. You can have clear skies and then get wind and mist later. In practical terms, pack a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes. You do not need hiking gear for everything, but grip matters.

Day 4 to Inverness: Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, and optional castle and cruise time

Your fourth day starts with a classic castle photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle. It is listed as an optional extra, so you can decide on the spot how much time and cost you want to add for the castle itself.

Then you go to Loch Ness. You get an overnight near Inverness, which is a smart choice. It reduces the pressure of trying to see Ness, eat, and then drive far all in one go.

At Loch Ness, you have options that cost extra:

• Urquhart Castle
• a Loch Ness cruise

If you are the type who likes being on the water, the cruise can be a good use of time because it changes your perspective from roadside spotting. If you want to prioritize walking and views over ticket time, you can skip those extras and still enjoy Ness from viewpoints and time in the area.

You end the day in Inverness, a practical base for getting to Orkney the next morning.

Tip: on any day around Loch Ness, keep your expectations flexible. Fog can roll in. If you chase the view aggressively, you can end up rushing. I like planning for both clear and moody conditions.

Day 5 to Orkney and Kirkwall: ferries, Italian Chapel, and Churchill Barriers

Now you switch to the north, and the trip starts feeling different. Day 5 gets you from Inverness area coastal scenery through to the ferries that bring you into Orkney Isles.

The travel itself is part of the experience. Coastal stretches like the Moray and Cromarty Firths can be surprisingly varied, and they help reset your head before island time. Then you take the ferry for the memorable crossing to Orkney.

Once you arrive, you start strong with Orkney’s blend of beauty and history. You visit the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. It is not the kind of site you forget quickly, because it ties art and faith to real wartime circumstances.

You also see the Churchill Barriers, causeways built to protect the naval fleet from submarines. This is a very “wait, this is here?” kind of stop. It grounds Orkney’s story in the 20th century, not just deep prehistory.

You overnight in Kirkwall, which is convenient for getting around and for grabbing gifts or simple meals on your own.

Day 6 in Orkney: Maes Howe, Skara Brae, Stenness, Ring o’ Brodgar, and St Magnus Cathedral

Day 6 is the big prehistoric day, and it is set up the way you want: you start with major sites, you build from enclosed chambers to wider stone circles, then you cap it with a clear landmark building at the end.

Included Orkney attractions on this trip:

• Maes Howe
• Skara Brae
• Italian Chapel (you also pass it earlier in the week depending on routing)

You also see other famous sites as part of the full-day Orkney push, including:

• Stenness
• the Ring o’ Brodgar
• St Magnus Cathedral to finish the day

Maes Howe is a chambered cairn, and Skara Brae is a Neolithic village that gives you a sense for daily life long before modern walls. If you like stepping into how people actually lived, this is where the trip delivers the most “oh wow” moments per hour.

Then you move from ruins you can imagine into the open circles that feel more like a landscape of its own. The Ring o’ Brodgar area gives you wide spacing and big sky views, even when it is cloudy. It is a different kind of awe than the castle-and-view type.

At the end of the day, St Magnus Cathedral adds a calmer, structured finish. It helps you reset before another evening in Kirkwall.

If you are traveling with camera gear, this is also a day to pace yourself. Stone sites can be windy, and you want your hands free for steadier photos.

Day 7 back toward the mainland: Dunrobin Castle option and Inverness again

Day 7 brings you back to the mainland. You start south from Orkney and begin the return journey, with scenery that keeps shifting as you move along the coast and through the Highlands.

There is a Dunrobin Castle option as you make your way toward Inverness. It is a chance to add another strong stop if you want more castles, but it is not required to get value from the day.

Overnight in Inverness keeps logistics simple for your final full day.

This day can feel like a “reset” day in a good way. After Orkney’s heavy history day, the mainland drive gives you more breathing room, even if the bus hours are still there.

Day 8 homebound: Culloden Battlefield, Cairngorm views, and Pitlochry stroll time

Your final day is all about memory and meaning. You visit the battlefield of Culloden, the site of the defeat of the Jacobite forces. This stop adds the political and human stakes behind the romantic stories people tell about the Jacobites.

You also pass through Cairngorm mountain country and explore Pitlochry, a picturesque town that works well for a relaxed last look around before the trip ends.

Pitlochry is also a smart contrast to the big open stone and loch days. It feels more like a place to slow down, grab a drink, and mentally pack away the trip.

If you only have one thing left in your energy tank, make it the walk around the town. It is a nicer send-off than trying to squeeze in one more viewpoint.

Price and logistics: where the value really comes from

The price is listed at about $2,136 per person, and the key is that this is not just a sightseeing drive. You get:

• transportation
• an English-speaking driver/guide
• 7 nights accommodation with breakfast
• included entrance for Orkney sights like Maes Howe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel

Meals are not included. That matters because you should plan for lunch and dinner on your own. The bus schedule can be tight on some days, and having the freedom to pick what fits your appetite helps.

Optional extras also show up where they can change the feel of a day. Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness cruise, Culloden Visitor Centre, and Eilean Donan Castle are all optional. If you add all of them, your total cost rises. If you add none, you still get a full tour with plenty to do.

What I like about the value approach here is the trade-off. You are paying for fewer unknowns and more guided structure, and you are paying up front for major included sites. You choose later where to spend extra.

Also factor in the luggage limit: max weight 15 kg, max size 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, plus one small carry-on. Overpacking is the easiest way to create stress on a bus.

Guide and group vibe: why some days feel easier

A tour like this lives or dies by the driver/guide. You are in motion most days, and the guide is the person shaping how the hours feel.

In the feedback, guides such as Brodie and Kenny stand out for good mood and sharing knowledge. Other names also show up positively, like Alex and Andy, Gram, and Tommy and Catherine. That pattern matters because you want someone who can explain why a place matters, not just point at it.

Group vibe is another factor. The tour tends to bring people from many places, and the best departures feel friendly and curious. I like that you get enough time off the bus to talk with others at stops, not just stare at your phone the whole day.

One small practical caution: on at least one departure, the group composition changed due to low sign-ups, with passengers shifting to different guides later. That is not something you can control, but it does mean you should stay flexible if you notice a schedule or group shift. The good news is that the experience can still run smoothly.

Practical tips that make the trip go smoother

Here are the nuts and bolts that actually affect comfort and time.

• Meeting point: check in inside Caffe Nero.
• Breakfast is included, but meals are not. Plan for buying lunch and dinner, and expect to vary what you eat based on where you stop.
• Luggage: 15 kg max, plus size limit, and one small carry-on. Keep your day bag light for walking stops.
• Room setup: rooms are for two people. If you book for three people in the double or twin category, you may be allocated a family room for three if available. If you prefer two rooms, choose single room for one person where needed.
• Weather and routing changes: the itinerary can change due to weather or events out of the organizer’s control. This is normal for the Highlands and islands, and it is worth accepting early.
• Children: children under 3 are not allowed.
• Who can handle it: this is not listed as a wheelchair-accessible tour, and it is not described as stroller-friendly. You should expect walking uneven ground at stone sites and castles.

Packing advice that fits this route: good shoes, a waterproof layer, and a warm mid-layer. Kirkwall and the north can feel cold fast, especially if wind hits you in the open stone-circle areas.

Who should book this Highlands, Skye, and Far North tour

This is a strong match if you want:

• one guided trip that covers the Highlands, Skye, and Orkney without planning ferries and drives yourself
• a day built around major prehistoric sites, especially if you like ancient history you can actually stand inside and around
• a route that includes options for castles and loch time, so you can tailor the days

It might be less ideal if:

• you hate bus time and want to stay longer in fewer places
• you are picky about accommodation location, because some nights can be remote and not every lodging setup is equal
• you need a fully self-paced trip with no schedule changes

The sweet spot is a traveler who likes structure, can roll with weather, and wants the value of organized access to major attractions.

Should you book this tour from Edinburgh?

If you want Skye and Orkney in one shot, and you are excited by sites like Maes Howe and Skara Brae, I think this tour is worth considering. The included Orkney entrances remove decision fatigue, and the full-day Skye plan gives the island room to feel like more than a drive-by.

If you are sensitive to lodging quality or you expect every night to be central and comfortable, you should mentally plan for that “remote at times” reality. In that case, it becomes a trade: you are paying for the route coverage and guidance, not for luxury hotels every night.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

Transportation, an English-speaking driver/guide, 7 nights accommodation with breakfast, and Orkney attraction entrance tickets for Maes Howe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included, so you will need to plan for lunch and dinner on your own.

Which attractions have optional extras?

Eilean Donan Castle, Urquhart Castle, a Loch Ness cruise, and the Culloden Visitor Centre are optional extras.

Where do I check in for the tour?

You check in inside Caffe Nero.

What are the luggage limits?

Maximum luggage weight is 15 kg, and the maximum size is 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. You may bring one small carry on per person.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under 3 years old are not allowed.

What kind of rooms are provided?

Double/twin rooms are for 2 people. If 3 people choose this option, a family room for 3 may be allocated subject to availability. If you prefer 2 rooms, choose the Single Room option for one person.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The driver/guide is English-speaking, and the tour information is provided in English.