9 Days: Skara Brae, Isle of Staffa, Isle of Iona, Loch Ness, Quiraing & Eilean Donan Castle

Tour overview:

Immerse yourself in the dramatic beauty, ancient history, and island magic of the Scottish Highlands on this journey from Edinburgh. Travel through spectacular landscapes including Glencoe, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and the remote Northwest Highlands, while exploring charming coastal villages and historic castles. Venture to the mystical Orkney Islands to uncover Neolithic wonders such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. From rugged mountains and tranquil lochs to Viking heritage and legendary clans, this tour offers Scotland’s most iconic sights and hidden gems.

Day 1 - West Highlands & Oban

We leave Edinburgh and travel through the gentle Lowlands past Stirling Castle. As we cross the ancient geological fault line, the flat plains give way to the majestic Highlands, with rugged peaks and forest-filled glens that define Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

We explore the lush landscapes of Scotland's first national park. Your driver-guide makes a stop by one of the shimmering lochs, where you can enjoy the tranquillity and breathe in the crisp Highland air. As we journey on through the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the scenery grows even more dramatic,.

Then stop for lunch in Inveraray, a charming town on Loch Fyne, known for its picturesque setting. Enjoy local seafood and the peaceful atmosphere while taking in views of the loch and surrounding hills. 

As the day winds down, we arrive in Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles", that was once home to powerful feuding clans. We'll stay in this picturesque port town for two nights.

Day 2 - Iona and optional trip to Fingal's Cave

Today begins with an early start as we take the ferry to Mull, a gem in the Inner Hebrides known for its rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and charming villages. 

At Fionnphort, you can divide your time between discovering Iona and embarking on an optional trip to Staffa, where you can marvel at the dramatic basalt columns of Fingal's Cave, immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture.

Day 3 - Glencoe and Exploring the Highlands

We leave Oban behind and set off to discover some hidden gems along the shores of Loch Linnhe. This area is steeped in tales of clans, battles, and faeries, adding a touch of magic to the stunning landscapes.

Continuing along the shore, we stop at a viewpoint to admire Castle Stalker, a striking 14th-century tower on a small islet near Appin. Once a stronghold of the Clan MacDougall and later the Stewarts of Appin, it's one of Scotland's most picturesque castles.

Next, we continue along Loch Linnhe and head to Fort William for lunch, a charming Highland town nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis. Enjoy local cuisine and take a leisurely stroll through the town center before we resume our journey through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the Earth's crust that runs through Scotland. Our overnight destination is Plockton.

Day 4 - The Isle of Skye

We leave Plockton and head towards the Skye Bridge, crossing into the Misty Isle. Every horizon in Skye conceals something astoundingly beautiful. 

Exploring Skye feels like stepping into a dream, with countless places to explore. You might head north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond, where you'll encounter geological wonders such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the breathtaking Quiraing mountain pass. 

After taking in the stunning sights of Skye, you'll bid farewell to the island and return to Plockton for another peaceful evening.

Day 5 - Eilean Donan Castle & Loch Ness

We leave Plockton and travel east for a closer look at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle.

Perched on a small island, the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, which has recently gained fame as a movie location, has many old stories to tell. 

Next, we travel past shimmering lochs framed by rugged mountains and arrive in the charming village of Fort Augustus, nestled on the banks of Loch Ness. Here, you can savour local specialties, stroll to the shores of the mysterious loch and try to catch sight of the elusive monster. Continuing along the rugged landscapes, we stop in Spean Bridge where you also swap the bus and join your new driver-guide and other travellers on the second leg of your journey. 

We journey along the legendary Loch Ness, whose dark, peat-stained waters hold more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. As the day winds down, we arrive in Inverness, the vibrant Capital of the Highlands. The evening is free for you to enjoy.

Day 6 - Arrive in the Capital of Orkney

It's an early start as we leave behind the 'Capital of the Highlands,' cross over the Black Isle, and follow the iconic North Coast 500 route to Golspie for a brief stop. From there, it's just a short drive to Dunrobin Castle, a fairy-tale masterpiece with its soaring spires and beautiful gardens. 

We explore the most stunning sections of the coast before we get ready to board the ferry at Gills Bay. Enjoy an hour-long journey on the Pentland Firth and feel the power of the strait's famous tides, while keeping an eye out for the distant shores of Orkney, an archipelago consisting of around 70 islands, of which only 20 are inhabited. 

Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, is a charming town steeped in history and culture, and your home for the next two nights. With a free evening ahead, you can choose how to spend your time. Perhaps take a leisurely stroll to admire the magnificent Viking-era St Magnus Cathedral and wander through the town's historic, winding streets as the evening sets in.

Day 7 - Skara Brae & Maeshowe

Today is your chance to explore this archipelago's fertile green pastures, fringed by shores of golden sands and washed by waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. As you journey through Orkney, you'll also visit the sites of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of the most significant and well-preserved prehistoric monuments in Europe.

Visit the Ring of Brodgar, an ancient stone circle steeped in local legends and set against views of hills.

We continue uncovering the secrets of the ancient past at Skara Brae. As you explore this 5,000-year-old village, complete with stone-built homes, furniture, and even a hidden chamber, you'll be transported back in time to imagine what life was like for its early inhabitants. 

You'll return to Kirkwall in the early evening.

Day 8 - Ardvreck Castle & the Mountains of Assynt

Say farewell to Kirkwall as we travel once again through the rugged, windswept landscape and past the calm and deep waters of Scapa Flow to St Margaret's Hope and the ferry terminal.

Enjoy an hour-long journey across the Viking waters of the Pentland Firth and keep your eyes peeled for any signs of whales or dolphins during your crossing.

Back on the mainland, the northern stretch of the North Coast 500 takes us through some of Scotland's most remote and rugged landscapes, with dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, and rolling hills. Your driver-guide will lead you to the most scenic spots along the way before reaching Smoo Cave, a vast sea cave shaped by sea and freshwater over millennia, with a labyrinth of chambers to explore. From here, we head into the far northwest Highlands, where the wilderness of the Assynt mountains awaits.

We conclude the day with a scenic drive past the iconic silhouettes of towering mountains, back to Ullapool.

Day 9 - Clava Cairns & Culloden

Today, we continue uncovering the hidden gems of the Northwest Highlands, beginning with a journey south to witness the dramatic 180 foot plunge of the River Droma into Corrieshalloch Gorge. You can take a short walk through a picturesque forest to admire the powerful waterfall as it cascades into the depths of the gorge. 

After learning about key events in Scottish history, we head to Clava Cairns, an ancient site of ring cairns and standing stones that inspired Craigh na Dun in Outlander. Our journey south offers classic Highland scenery, with photo stops and comfort breaks as we pass Cairngorms National Park. In Newtonmore, we visit the Highland Folk Museum, where you can explore 18th-century blackhouses, a working croft, and a 1930s schoolroom. As we move on, the mountains soften into lush forests in Perthshire. You'll take a final break in Dunkeld, so enjoy exploring the town's cathedral and charming streets.

It's time to say goodbye to the Highlands as we continue south through the rolling hills and fertile farmlands of the Kingdom of Fife. Your last highlight is the view of the iconic UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge you can admire on your way to Edinburgh.