From Edinburgh: Orkney, Skye and the Far North 8 Day Tour

Eight days, three wild regions, zero boring bits. I like the way this trip stacks Skye scenery day with Orkney’s ancient sites, plus a night near Loch Ness so the Highlands feel like more than a drive-by. You also get a smart mix of big famous stops and quieter historic moments, from Kilmartin Glen stone sites to St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

The main drawback to weigh is lodging. Some accommodations can be remote and, at times, only average, so you will want to treat this as a sightseeing first, room quality second kind of trip.

Key moments that make this tour worth it

• A full day on Skye focused on the Cuillin Mountains, Quiraing, and the Trotternish Peninsula
• Neolithic Orkney highlights are built in, including Maes Howe and Skara Brae (and the Italian Chapel)
• Loch Ness with a real overnight, not just a quick pass-through
• Glen Coe and Glenfinnan Viaduct to set the mood before you reach Skye
• Culloden battlefield at the end, plus a stop through Cairngorm country and Pitlochry

Skye, Orkney, and the Far North: what this route is really doing

This is a “big circle” Highlands tour. You start in the south west, sweep up through the west coast into Skye, continue north by ferry to Orkney, then work your way back down with history stops that land you in Inverness before the final day.

What I like is the rhythm. You get days with long, scenic transit breaks where you can look out the window and take photos, then you get days where you are actually walking among ancient stones and dramatic viewpoints. That balance is key on a trip like this, because weather and road conditions can slow things down, especially in the far north.

The trip is also built around major “wow” areas without making them the only focus. In Scotland, it is easy to chase castles and forget the deeper story. This itinerary keeps pulling you back to the earlier layers, like 5,000 plus years of history around Kilmartin and Orkney.

Day 1 to Oban: Trossachs views and Kilmartin Glen’s ancient trail

Your first day moves you through the Trossachs, passing through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. If you like first-night Scotland, this is a strong choice. The roads here are scenic, and the pace is friendly enough that you are not already exhausted when the history begins.

Then you stop in Kilmartin Glen, a stretch where Scotland’s ancient past feels close enough to reach out and touch. You can walk at Dunadd Hill Fort and the Temple Wood Stone Circle, two places that give you context for how old settlement patterns shaped later Scotland. Even if you are not a hardcore history fan, the physical scale of these sites makes it easier to picture people living here long before modern maps existed.

You end the day in Oban, a practical base on the west coast. It is a good place to reset, stretch your legs after a day of travel, and sleep near the energy of the islands.

Day 2 to Skye: Glen Coe, Fort William, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct moment

Day two is all mood. You go through Glen Coe, the kind of valley that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. The itinerary also includes a stop near Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak, plus Fort William as a classic Highlands waypoint.

After that, you add the Glenfinnan Viaduct stop. This is a quick photo and viewpoint moment, not a long hang, but it is a fun gear shift if you are traveling with movie fans or anyone who likes iconic landmarks.

Then you take the ferry to the Isle of Skye. This matters more than it sounds. Ferries break the drive fatigue, and Skye arrives feeling like a destination, not a detour.

Day 3 on Skye: Cuillin, Quiraing, and the Trotternish Peninsula

This is the day with the most breathing space for the big scenery stops, and it is the centerpiece of the whole tour. You are set up for views that come from mountains and coastline mixing, with time to get off the bus and actually look around.

You focus on the Cuillin Mountains, the dramatic Quiraing area with its slanted hills, and the Trotternish Peninsula. What I appreciate is that these places are visually different from each other, so the day does not feel repetitive.

A practical note: Skye weather changes fast. Even if you plan for sunshine, bring layers anyway. Wind can cut through quickly, especially when you stop for photos or short walks. Comfortable shoes help too, because you will likely want to wander a bit at each viewpoint.

If you love road trips but also want structure, this is the sweet spot. The day is packed, yet it is not just drive, stop, and leave. You have a real chance to soak up what makes Skye famous.

Day 4 to Inverness: Eilean Donan and Loch Ness with optional extras

Day four starts with Eilean Donan Castle. The castle stop is an optional extra, so you can choose based on time and budget. Either way, the setting is a major Scotland visual, with the castle positioned like a postcard scene against the water.

Then you head toward Loch Ness and get an overnight stay near its fabled shores. That overnight is the difference between this trip and the quick bus-and-back tours. It gives you a chance to experience the loch in the evening or early morning, when the air feels cooler and the light is better for photos.

There is an optional extra to add Urquhart Castle and a Loch Ness cruise. If you are curious, those can be worth it because they turn the Loch Ness mythology into concrete experiences. If you are not into ticketed attractions, you can still enjoy the area without the extras.

You finish the day in Inverness, which is a sensible base for the night before you continue north.

Day 5 to Orkney: the ferry leap and the Italian Chapel

Orkney is where this tour starts feeling truly different. You travel north through Inverness and along the coasts of Moray and Cromarty Firths, then board the ferry to Orkney.

The ferry crossing is more than transit. It is a palate cleanser. When you arrive, the pace changes, and the islands feel closer to their own world.

Once you land, you visit the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. This stop gives the trip emotional depth that is easy to miss if you only think of Orkney as standing stones and dramatic coastlines. It is also a reminder that history is not only ancient here.

You also see the Churchill Barriers, causeways constructed to protect the British naval fleet from submarines. It is a stark, practical piece of 20th century history that fits perfectly with the tour’s theme of Scotland as layered time, not just one era.

You stay overnight in Kirkwall, which is the easiest base for island exploring.

Day 6 in Kirkwall: Maes Howe, Skara Brae, Stenness, and Ring o’ Brodgar

Day six is the ancient history power day. You are based in Kirkwall, then spend the full day exploring some of Orkney’s most famous prehistoric sites.

The itinerary includes Maes Howe and Skara Brae as part of the attractions included in your tour. Those two stops alone justify a big chunk of the trip’s value. They are not just “nice ruins.” They are places where you can picture daily life and burial practices, and you get a sense of the scale of time Orkney asks you to consider.

You also see the stone circles at Stenness and the Ring o’ Brodgar. Even if the names are new to you, these sites connect into a pattern. Think of them as part of the same prehistoric landscape logic, where people built monuments and used the horizon as part of their calendar and ritual world.

The day finishes with St Magnus Cathedral. That adds a later chapter and gives your eyes and legs a different kind of architecture after a day of earthworks and stones.

If you like photographs, bring patience. These sites are scenic, but you will also want time to stand and just look. That is when the story really clicks.

Day 7 back to Inverness: scenery south plus optional Dunrobin Castle

Day seven moves you back to the mainland and starts your journey south. This day is about travel with scenery breaks, not a full second round of the “big attraction” schedule.

There is a chance to visit Dunrobin Castle as an optional stop as you pass through the area near Inverness. If you already know you love grand homes and castles, consider it. If you are castle worn out after Skye and Loch Ness, you might skip it and use the extra time for viewpoints or rest.

You finish the day in Inverness again. This matters because it smooths the logistics for the final day into the central Highlands.

Day 8: Culloden battlefield, Cairngorm scenery, and Pitlochry

The final day hits the Jacobite story at Culloden, the battlefield where Jacobite forces were defeated. You also have an optional extra for the Culloden Visitor Centre, which you can choose if you want more structured interpretation of what you are seeing.

After that, you pass through the Cairngorm mountains area, then explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry.

Pitlochry is a good ending because it feels calmer than the dramatic coast stops. It gives you a chance to buy snacks, take a last slow walk, and close the trip with a more human scale town vibe.

What’s included versus what costs extra, and how to plan meals

Your tour includes transportation, an English speaking driver guide, 7 nights accommodation and breakfast, and paid entry for Maes Howe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel.

Meals are not included. That sounds obvious, but it affects your planning more than you think. With a packed itinerary, it helps to budget for lunches and dinners and be ready for days where stops are limited and you eat on the go or at whatever is convenient.

You will also see a few optional extra ticket opportunities:

• Eilean Donan Castle
• Urquhart Castle
• Loch Ness cruise
• Culloden Visitor Centre

If you want the most value, pick based on what you personally care about. Castle interiors can be amazing, but they are not required for enjoying the scenery.

Price and value: what $2,136 buys you in Scotland

At $2,136 per person, this is not a budget trip. The value comes from the mix of transportation and included sights.

You are paying for:

• multi day coach travel
• ferry crossings to Orkney (and Skye)
• 7 nights with breakfast
• an English speaking guide handling logistics and timing
• entry included for major Orkney prehistoric highlights

Those included Orkney admissions can add up, and because they are built into day six, you do not have to plan them around your own schedule. The overnight near Loch Ness is another value driver, because it turns Ness from a quick stop into an experience that is not squeezed into the middle of a drive.

Where costs creep in is optional extras and meals. If you pick the castles and cruise, plan on spending more. If you skip some options and focus on included sites, you can keep the trip closer to a fixed budget.

Luggage, rooms, and comfort tips for a long 8 day circuit

You have a 15 kg luggage limit and carry on size limit of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm, plus one small carry on per person. That means pack light. This is Scotland, so you might want layers, a rain shell, and a warm hat, but do not bring a suitcase that turns into a wrestling match.

Solo travelers should use the Single Room option, since the tour may not accept bookings otherwise. Room types for double or twin are for two people, and if three people choose that option they may get a family room based on availability.

Also, build flexibility into your expectations. The itinerary may change due to weather and events outside control. That is normal in the Highlands and islands, and it is exactly why having a guided structure matters.

One more comfort reality check from past experiences: accommodation quality can vary, and some places are remote. If you care most about beds and quiet rooms, you might want to mentally rank the trip as “adventure and sights first.”

Who should book this tour, and who might want a different style

This fits best if you:

• want one organized route covering Skye plus Orkney in a single trip
• like big scenery but also want real time at prehistoric sites
• enjoy meeting people from different places while exploring together
• do not mind optional add ons, because you can choose based on interest

You might want a different option if you:

• are very picky about accommodation comfort
• hate long driving days and want fewer transit segments
• need child friendly flexibility, since children under 3 are not allowed on this tour

Should you book? My decision guide

I would book if your heart is set on combining Skye’s dramatic viewpoints with Orkney’s prehistoric sites, especially Maes Howe and Skara Brae, without having to plan ferry timing and ticket days yourself. The overnight near Loch Ness is also a big plus for anyone who wants a real sense of place.

I would hesitate if you know you will feel annoyed by remote lodging or you dislike the idea of added costs for castle interiors and visitor centres. In that case, you could still love the route, but you might want to build a self paced plan so you control the pace and spend.

If you are flexible, bring layers, and treat this as a history and scenery circuit, this tour makes a lot of sense.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

Check in inside Caffe Nero.

What’s included in the tour price?

Transportation, an English speaking driver/guide, 7 nights accommodation and breakfast, and Orkney attractions entry for Maes Howe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel.

Are meals included?

No, meals are not included.

Which stops are optional extras?

Eilean Donan Castle, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness cruise, and the Culloden Visitor Centre are optional extras.

How long is the tour, and how do I find the start dates?

The tour duration is listed as 178 hours. You can check availability to see starting times.

What luggage can I bring?

Maximum luggage weight is 15 kg, and the maximum size is 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. You may bring one small carry on per person.

Can children join?

Children under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour.

What room options are available for solo travelers?

If you are traveling alone, you should choose the Single Room option to avoid booking issues.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 14 days in advance with a fee.