Orkney Explorer Small Group Tour

We leave Edinburgh behind and head towards Stirling, then into the beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Our scenic drive takes us along the beautiful banks of Loch Lubnaig then on through "bonnie" Strathyre towards Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart. After climbing the "Black Mount", we reach the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor, which stretches out ahead of us.

There's a photo-stop so that we can enjoy the spectacular and dramatic scenery of Glen Coe before making the short journey to Fort William.

Next, we explore Glen Mor, better known as The Great Glen, which runs diagonally through the Highlands. This is a picturesque landscape of striking mountains and deep lochs.

The famous engineer, Thomas Telford, used the three lochs of the Great Glen to create the Caledonian Canal, which links the Irish Sea to the North Sea.

We will follow the canal route as we journey northwards along the banks of Loch Ness to reach our accommodation in Inverness.

Leaving Inverness, we join the famous North Coast 500 route. Our journey takes us across the Moray, Cromarty and Dornoch Firths then, after enjoying the wonderful coastal scenery, we enter some of Europe's oldest landscapes, where 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 Islands.

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.

Orkney is home to many astonishing historical treasures, and today will be an unforgettable 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 the beautiful St Magnus Cathedral, one of Europe’s outstanding architectural achievements and over 800 years old.

There’s 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 farewell to the Orkney Islands.

On reaching the mainland, we head for impressive Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes and Earls of Sutherland. There’s a chance to visit this imposing castle to see the splendid rooms and period treasures, including a magnificent furniture collection, silver and hanging tapestries.

Don’t forget to visit the formal gardens, which offer panoramic views over the Moray Firth. It’s said the design was inspired by the gardens at the Palace of 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.

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

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in Britain 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 impressive views of the Forth Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.