North Coast & Islands

Departure Point – Collection from outside the George Hotel in Edinburgh at 09:00am.

Meet your driver and Tour Manager in Edinburgh and travel to Inverness, to begin this exciting journey along Scotland’s wild north coast and Islands. We enjoy a walking tour of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, after you have free time to explore, be sure to visit the Victorian Market and meander along the River Ness path. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner.

Dinner/Overnight—Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness (or similar)

Today we start along the NC500! Our first stop, Royal Dornoch, here you will have free time to meander through the village and explore the Cathedral. Next, we visit Dunrobin Castle, Scotland’s most northernly great house dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the falconry demonstration set in the formal gardens. Later we arrive in Wick or Thurso, where we spend the next 2 nights.

Dinner/Overnight—Mackays Hotel, Wick (or similar)

A day spent discovering the Orkney Islands. We sail across the Pentland Firth for a fascinating day exploring Orkney. Here we hop across the Churchill barriers, visiting some of Orkney’s main attractions, Ring of Brodgar, Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, and Kirkwall. A simply outstanding day! Tonight, we enjoy
Scottish entertainment at our hotel.

Dinner/Overnight—Mackays Hotel, Wick (or similar)

This morning, we explore the North Coast, taking in the wild and rugged landscape, stopping to take in the dramatic scenery and sandy deserted beaches. We stop in Durness home to Smoo Caves, for those who feel energetic, you can walk down to see inside this spectacular sea cave set into the limestone cliffs. Later we arrive in the picturesque fishing harbour, Ullapool. You we board the ferry (you will be able to purchase your dinner onboard) for our evening sail to Stornoway. We arrive in the evening and check in to our hotel, where we spend the next 2 nights.

Overnight – Caladh Hotel, Stornoway (or similar)

We start our Hebridean Adventure, a full day exploring Lewis and Harris. We discover the rich history, strong Gaelic traditions and diverse landscape. Our visits include, Callanish Neolithic Standing Stones, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village (with lunch included), Hargabost Beach (with crystal green blue water and pristine sands) and Harris Distillery. We enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight, followed by an evening of Gaelic Culture.

Dinner/Overnight—Caladh Inn, Stornoway (or similar)

An early start as we say Beannachd leat (Good Bye) to the Outer Hebrides and sail back to the mainland. From Ullapool we make our way down to the Great Glen, where we drive along Loch Ness to Fort William, then through Glen Coe and the Stirlingshire and the Trossachs. A full day but filled with
spectacular scenery! We arrive back into Edinburgh early evening where we say "mar sin leat" to our fellow travellers, driver and guide taking with us treasured memories of this fabulous tour