Skye, Orkney and the Highlands - 8 day tour

Day 2 - Oban - Glen Coe - Isle of Skye

We bid farewell to Oban and make our way to the Connel Bridge. As we cross Loch Etive lookout for the Falls of Lora below. Glen Coe is arguably Scotland's most famous Glen partly because of its awe-inspiring beauty and, more sinisterly, because of the infamous massacre that took place here in 1692. The sad tale will be told as we make a short diversion to explore this special place for ourselves.

Fort William's glorious setting on the banks of Loch Linnhe has made it a popular tourist destination since the arrival of the steamships in the mid-1900s. The town sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, which, at 4,406 feet, is the tallest mountain in the UK.

Here we leave our tour coach and board the Jacobite Steam Train for a journey of a lifetime on the famous West Highland Line – regarded by many as the most scenic in Britain!

From Fort William the train travels along the banks of Loch Eil then crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, featured in the Harry Potter movies as part of the route to Hogwarts. Look out for the Glenfinnan Monument built to commemorate the ill-fated Jacobite up-rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745. The scenic journey continues with wonderful views of Lochs Eilt, Ailort and nan Uamh before reaching the silver sands of Morar (made famous in the popular film Local Hero) and Mallaig. After some free time to enjoy the views over the Sound of Sleat to the Magical Isle we board a ferry for our crossing "Over the sea to Skye”.

A short drive brings us to Kyleakin, our home for the next two nights.

Departures of 18 May to 7 September 2020 will travel on the Jacobite Steam Train. All other departures will include a cruise on Loch Ness and admission to Urquhart Castle.

Overnight: Kyleakin, Isle of Skye (2 nights)

Day 3 - Isle of Skye Excursion

After breakfast we board our coach for a wonderful day of exploration. From the little villages and gentle scenery of the southern part of the island the views will change dramatically as the Cuillin Hills come into sight. Considered by many to be amongst the finest hills in Britain the Cuillins present a vista that is simply unforgettable.

Set round its natural harbour the picturesque town of Portree is the largest community on the Isle of Skye. The name of the town means the "King's Port" following a visit by King James V in 1540. Today the pretty painted houses which surround the harbour give Portree an old fashioned appeal. During our stop there will be time to explore the town and browse the interesting shops that surround Sumerled Square.

Later we tour the famed Trotternish Peninsula. From Portree we travel northwards to the little ferry port of Uig from where ferries sail to the Outer Herbrides. At little Kilmuir there is a monument to Flora MacDonald who, famously, assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape the Government Troops who were hunting for him.

We'll stop to explore The Quiraing, a dramatic terrain formed by a landslide. We'll stop so you can walk through a landscape that dates from Jurassic times! See if you can identify the rock formations that are known as the "Needle", "Table" and "Prison". A short drive brings us to Kilt Rock, so named because the basalt columns of this rock fall to resemble the pleats of a kilt - we will stop so you can snap an "I was there" photograph!

Day 4 - Isle of Skye - Eilean Donan Castle - Loch Ness

After breakfast, we bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and return to the mainland. We stop to visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. This is, without doubt, one of Scotland's most iconic sights. The castle stands on a little island situated at the confluence of Loch's Alsh and Duich. We'll have time to discover the castle for ourselves during our stop here.

There are wonderful views at every turn as we travel through Glen Shiel. Look out for the soaring peaks of the mountain range known as the "Five Sisters of Kintail". They make a magnificent sight.

From Invermoriston we follow the banks of enigmatic Loch Ness to the little village of Drumnadrochit. There’s an extended stop here so you can relax in this pleasant Highland village. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity of visiting Urquhart Castle, once one of the largest fortresses in the Highlands and take a short monster-spotting cruise on Loch Ness.

Later we will make our way to Fort Augustus our home for tonight.

Overnight: Fort Augustus

Day 5 - Fort Augustus - Inverness - Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)

Today we have an early start as we drive to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. From Inverness, we join the famous North Coast 500 route and make our way across the Black Isle across 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 into 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 Nissan 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 6 - Exploring the Orkney Islands

Orkney is home to many outstanding historic treasures and today will be a unique day of discovery. On our itinerary today 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 7 - Kirkwall - Dunrobin Castle - Inverness

We have a relaxed start today with free time in Kirkwall before joining the coach for the drive to South Ronaldsay where we board the ferry back to mainland Scotland. On arrival at Gills Bay, we join the scenic coastal route for our journey southwards to Inverness.

Just outside Golspie lies magnificent Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses. This grand chateau-like castle is the home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and it has a commanding position overlooking the Moray Firth. We’ll make a stop so you can visit this splendid castle and tour some of its 189 rooms and take a stroll through the extensive gardens.

Later we’ll make our way to the Black Isle and across the Kessock Bridge into Inverness.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 8 - Inverness - Culloden Moor - Edinburgh

After breakfast, we travel 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.

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.