Orkney Explorer - 5 day tour

Day 2 - Fort Augustus - Inverness - Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)

Today sees an early start as we drive the entire length of Loch Ness to reach Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. Along the way, there’s sure to be stories of the loch’s most famous resident to be told! From Inverness, we join the famous North Coast 500 route and travel through the Black Isle then over the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths. From here we drive along the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. This is some of Europe's oldest landscapes and here we have the chance to see wildlife such as golden eagles and red deer.

We board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth to reach the Orkney Archipelago. On our arrival, it is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where few will fail to be moved by the dedicated workmanship of the Italian prisoners of war who crafted this place of worship from a humble Nissen hut. Their story and many others will be told as we view Scapa Flow, the scene of momentous events during both World Wars.

The Viking stronghold of Kirkwall is our home for the next 2 nights.

Overnight: Kirkwall (2 nights)

Day 3 - Exploring the Orkney Islands

Orkney is home to many outstanding historic treasures and today will be a unique day of discovery.

On our itinerary are visits to Maeshowe, a magnificent tomb built almost 5,000 years ago and the Ring of Brodgar, a stone circle that once comprised of 60 megaliths. Today with 27 stones still standing, some over 5 metres tall, it takes little imagination to visualise the extent of this historic monument.

Uncovered by a storm in 1850 Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved groups of Stone Age houses in Western Europe and our visit will reveal the stone furniture, hearths and drains that present such a remarkable picture of Neolithic life.

The day will finish with a visit to beautiful St Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe’s great architectural achievements and over 800 years old.

Day 4 - Kirkwall -Dunrobin Castle - Inverness

We have a relaxed morning in Kirkwall with time to visit some of the popular craft and jewellery shops for a unique souvenir of your visit.

Later we board the ferry and bid a farewell to the Orkney Islands. As we make our way southwards along the coastal route there is a stop at impressive Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes and Earls of Sutherland. There’s a chance to visit this very impressive castle to see the splendid rooms and period treasures including a magnificent collection of furniture, silver and hanging tapestries. Enjoy a walk in the formal gardens said to have been modelled on those at Versailles.

From Dunrobin, our journey to Inverness will take us across the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths then to the Black Isle. Our crossing of the Kessock Bridge brings us to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, our home for tonight.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 5 - Inverness - Culloden Moor - Edinburgh

After breakfast, we drive the short distance to visit tragic Culloden Moor. It was here that the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was routed by Government troops in a bloody battle in 1746.

The Cairngorms National Park is Britain’s largest and contains five of Scotland’s six highest peaks. The park provides a stunning backdrop to our travels through the Spey Valley then we descend through the Drumochter Pass to reach the pleasant Victorian tourist town of Pitlochry where we will stop for refreshments.

The dramatic scenery of Highland Perthshire gives way to rolling farmland as we reach the "Fair City” of Perth then we join the motorway for our journey through the ancient Kingdom of Fife. The final part of our drive offers wonderful views of the Forth Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.