Scotland's North Coast
Trip Overview
The archipelago of Orkney hides many treasures: and on our five day tour, your experienced guide will ensure you find the best of them. They say the Orkney Islands have been inhabited for over 8500 years, making it one of the richest cultural regions in the world. You’ll unearth some of the most well-preserved prehistoric sites in Europe, examine a beautiful red sandstone coast, and discover the vibrant culture of remote island communities. Along the way, you will sample the local whiskey, get up close to native wildlife, and hear from passionate storytellers. You’ll also have a chance to find the Loch Ness Monster, see Scotland’s beautiful north, and learn about the tragedy of Glencoe. And don’t worry, even if Nessie doesn’t appear, the drive through the picturesque Scottish Highlands will take your breath away. It’s an experience you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Book your trip now and join us on this unforgettable journey!
- Chauffeur
- 1 Country
- 5 Days
- 4 Nights
About This Tour
Day 1: Stirling Castle - Wallace Monument - Glencoe - Lochness
Stirling Castle is famous for its central role in Scottish history as a key royal residence, strategic fortress, and symbol of national pride and independence. It was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI, the site of royal coronations, and a battleground during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
The Wallace Monument is famous as a memorial to the Scottish national hero Sir William Wallace, a patriot who fought against English rule during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The towering Victorian Gothic landmark stands on Abbey Craig.
Glencoe is famous for two contrasting reasons: its breathtaking natural beauty, characterized by dramatic, jagged mountains and a deep valley formed by ancient volcanic activity and glaciation, and its tragic history, primarily the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692.
Loch Ness is famous primarily for the enduring legend of the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), a mysterious creature rumored to inhabit its deep, dark waters. Its fame also stems from its stunning scenery in the Scottish Highlands, its status as the UK’s largest loch by volume, and its role as a major tourist destination with historical sites like Urquhart Castle.
Day 2: Inverness - John O`groats - Gillsbay - Kirkwall
Inverness is famous as the “Capital of the Highlands,” a key gateway for exploring the Scottish Highlands and its dramatic landscapes, including the famous Loch Ness. It’s also historically significant as the site of the tragic Battle of Culloden and a setting in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Today, it serves as a vibrant hub with a growing economy and a starting point for popular road trips like the North Coast 500.
John O’Groats is famous as a symbolic starting or ending point for the epic Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) journey across Great Britain, a popular endurance challenge for cyclists and walkers. Although not the true northernmost point of mainland Britain, its iconic signpost marks this famous location. The village is also renowned for its stunning coastal scenery, wildlife, and its role as a gateway to the Orkney Islands and a stop on the North Coast 500 route.
Gills Bay is famous for being the mainland departure point for Pentland Ferries to the Orkney Islands, Scotland’s shortest and safest route to the islands across the treacherous Pentland Firth.
Kirkwall is famous as the historic heart and administrative centre of Scotland’s Orkney Islands, known for its magnificent medieval St Magnus Cathedral, significant Norse history, and as a vibrant base for exploring the islands’ ancient sites and natural beauty.
Day 3: Kirkwall - Ring of Brogdar - Meashowe - Orkney
The Ring of Brodgar is famous as one of the largest and most spectacular Neolithic stone circles in the British Isles, a ceremonial site dating to the 3rd millennium BC. Its fame comes from its immense size, precise circular layout, association with the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, and the enduring mystery surrounding its original purpose for ritual, astronomy, and communal ceremonies.
Maeshowe is famous for being a masterful 5,000-year-old Neolithic chambered tomb, the finest in northwest Europe, predating the Egyptian pyramids and renowned for its advanced stonework and monumental design that still stands today. It also draws visitors for its unique architectural features, its location within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Orkney is famous for its exceptional Neolithic archaeological sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage site Heart of Neolithic Orkney, known for being older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
Day 4: Ben Loyal - Ben Hope - Ardvreck Castle - Ullapool
Ben Loyal is famous for its distinctive “Queen of Scottish Mountains” profile, its challenging hike and superb panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The mountain is a Corbett, meaning it is a prominent mountain in Scotland over 762 meters high.
“Ben Hope” could refer to three distinct and famous individuals or places: the most northerly Munro (a Scottish mountain), the protagonist of Scott Mariani’s Ben Hope book series, or the character in the Netflix show Heartstopper.
Ardvreck Castle is famous for being the site where the Marquess of Montrose, a prominent Royalist leader, was betrayed and captured in 1650, leading to his execution. The ruined castle, located on a promontory jutting into Loch Assynt, was originally built by the MacLeod family around 1590.
Ullapool is one of the most scenic villages in Scotland which offers a perfect respite to those travelling in the north of the Scotland and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Highlands.
Day 5: Corrishalloch Gorge - Culloden moor - Caledonian Forest - Edinburgh
Corrieshalloch Gorge is famous for its spectacular box canyon, formed by glacial meltwater, which features the Falls of Measach and a historic Victorian suspension bridge built by the engineers of the Forth Bridge.
Culloden in 1746, the last pitched battle fought on British soil. This decisive clash of the Jacobite Rising marked the end of the Stuart family’s hopes for the British throne and resulted in the crushing defeat of the Jacobites by government forces.
The Caledonian Forest is famous as Scotland’s ancient, native pinewood, known for its rich biodiversity, unique “Scots pine” trees, and status as a threatened habitat requiring ongoing restoration efforts.
Edinburgh is famous for its stunning historic architecture, including its medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It is Scotland’s capital and a cultural hub known for its major festivals, especially the Edinburgh Fringe, and for being the home of institutions like the National Museum of Scotland and the University of Edinburgh. The iconic Edinburgh Castle on an extinct volcano and the city’s underground networks add to its fame.
Tour Highlights
- Gaze upon lovely lochs as you venture north
- Listen and learn about the tragic tale of Glencoe
- Arrive in the Capital of Orkney, Kirkwall
- Explore mainland Scotland’s most northern scenery
- Go to an ancient site that is older than the pyramids, Skara Brae
- See the wild ocean clash with redstone cliffs
- Stroll around the beautiful harbour town of Ullapool
- Take a look at the stunningly located ruins of Ardvreck Castle
- See the ancient standing stones made famous by Outlander, Clava Cairns
- Learn about one of the most brutal events in British history at Culloden
What’s Included?
- 8 Seaters luxury private Minivan
- Professional Chauffeur/Guide
- Complimentary bottle of water
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- Admission Tickets (if option selected)
- City Congestion and Parking
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- 10 hour full-day private tour
- Chauffeur accompanies the clients on tour.
- Driver can't enter sites
- Tips / Gratuities