North Coast & Islands

Your Tour Manager will be waiting for you at Glasgow airport to begin this exciting journey along Scotland’s north coast and some of the largest of its 900 islands. We travel to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where you will have free time to explore. Be sure to visit the Victorian Market and meander along the River Ness path. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Meals Dinner

Overnight Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness View All

Today we start along the NC500! Our first stop is The Tarbat Discovery Centre, set on the grounds of the ancient church of St. Colman, displaying works of art created in stone by the Picts more than 1,200 years ago. Next, we stop in Royal Dornoch, you will have free time before we leave for Dunrobin Castle, Scotland’s most northerly great house dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. Later at Scrabster Harbour we board our evening sail to Orkney – you will enjoy dinner on the ship before we arrive at our hotel in Kirkwall where we spend the next 2 nights.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Ayre Hotel, Orkney View All

A day spent discovering the Orkney Islands, with its unique blend of ancient ruins, archaeological marvels, breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality. We hop across the Churchill barriers, visit the Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae, and see the famous Scapa Flow. A simply outstanding day!

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Ayre Hotel, Orkney View All

This morning, we sail back to the mainland and continue, taking in the wild and rugged landscape of Scotland’s North Coast. We stop in Durness to visit Smoo Caves; and 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 of Ullapool. Tonight, we dine at a local restaurant.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Royal Hotel, Ullapool View All

A leisurely morning in Ullapool before we set sail to Stornoway! As Sunday is a day of Observance in the Outer Hebrides we take in the north of Lewis with stops at Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, St. Moulags Medieval Church and Port of Ness beach before returning to Stornoway to check into our hotel for the next 2 nights. We enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight, followed by an evening of Gaelic Culture.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway View All

Harris, with its rich traditions, stunning scenery, and strong sense of community—today we start with a unique introduction to life on the island. We visit one of its pristine beaches and the very popular Harris Tweed shop before enjoying our included lunch. Afterward, we head back to Lewis, where we visit the Calanais Stones, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, and Dun Carloway Broch.

Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway View All

An early start as we say Beannachd leat (Good Bye) to the Outer Hebrides and sail to the Misty Isle of Skye, the largest Inner Hebridean Island. Taking in Trotternish Peninsula which offers some of the most dramatic scenery on the island, we see The Quiraing, Kilt Rock and The Storr before dropping into the main town of Portree – here you will have some free time before we make our way to Broadford, Skye’s second town, where we spend the next 2 nights.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Broadford Hotel, Isle of Skye View All

Today we focus on the northwest region of Skye. We enjoy a visit to Talisker Distillery, the oldest working distillery on Skye founded in 1830. Then we visit the seat of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle. This award-winning castle and Highland estate is steeped in history and clan legend and complimented with 5 acres of beautiful formal gardens.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Broadford Hotel, Isle of Skye View All

Leaving Skye, we sail across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. We then travel along the ‘Road to the Isles’, passing the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument, and make our way via the Morven Peninsula—remote, unspoiled, and undisturbed. This area offers a landscape not only of mountains but also of deciduous woodlands, vast moorland, and stunning shorelines. From here, we sail to the Isle of Mull, the second-largest Inner Hebridean island, where we spend the next two nights.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Mull View All

Burial sites of ancient kings, geological wonders, unchanged landscapes, idyllic beaches, glorious glens, abundant wildlife, and magical islands await us! Our tour of Mull takes us across the southwest, along a primarily single-track road to Fionnphort, where we cross to the sacred island of Iona. Dating back to 563 AD and measuring barely three miles long by one mile wide, Iona has had an influence out of all proportion to its size on the establishment of Christianity in Scotland, England, and throughout mainland Europe. Here, we have a chance to visit Iona Abbey.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, Mull View All

Our last sail today! Leaving Mull, we arrive in Oban, known as the Gateway to the Isles, where we enjoy some free time. Oban has something for everyone: cosy cafés, Oban’s oldest pub dating back to 1790, a lovely walk up to McCaig’s Tower—a Colosseum-like structure perched high above the town that offers a spectacular viewpoint—and a plethora of shops. We then follow Loch Lomond until we arrive at our final hotel, located just outside Glasgow, where we enjoy a luxurious stay and our farewell dinner.

Included Meals Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight Mar Hall Hotel, near Glasgow View All

Your tour concludes this morning. Breakfast arrangements will vary based on your departure time. We wish you a safe journey home and thank you for travelling with RIT. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon.  

Included Meals Breakfast