Day 1

The Hermitage

After leaving Edinburgh we’ll cross the iconic Forth Bridges at Queensferry and travel through The Kingdom of Fife. Our first stop is the idyllic  ‘The Hermitage’, a beautiful woodland walk to Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors.

Blair Castle

This majestic Scottish stronghold stands tall in the heart of the Highlands. Gleaming white, encrusted with turrets and set amid broad acres of gardens and parkland. It has been home to the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl for 19 generations. Since 1703 the head of Clan Murray has had the title Duke of Atholl.

Highland Folk Museum

Further north, the Highland Folk Museum offers a fantastic collection of historic houses and displays of Highland life including the Baile Gean Township. This fantastic recreation of a Highland crofting village is recreated as it would have been around 1700. The houses, barns and other buildings are built using traditional methods and burn peat fires. The township is brought to life with reenactors and livestock including Highland Cows roaming the village.

Capital of The Highlands

This evening we overnight in Inverness, known as ‘The Capital of the Highlands’. The hotel offers fantastic views across the River Ness and Inverness Castle.

TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION

Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

A riverside hotel in Inverness with elegant rooms, a brasserie, and on-site breweries. Perfect for exploring the Highlands

Room grade: River View ensuite

Board: Bed & Breakfast

Accommodation is subject to availability

Day 2

Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin is the northernmost stately home in the Uk. With origins in the 13th century, over centuries it has been expanded and remodelled, reflecting the changing fashions and tastes of its owners, the Earls of Sutherland. Today the architecture showcases a blend of styles, from medieval to Victorian and its interiors are adorned with impressive collections of art and artefacts.

Whaligoe Steps

These steep and winding stairs are carved into the cliff face at Whaligoe in Caithness. They were built to provide access to a herring fishery that was a major industry in the 18th century. The steps are a popular stop for visitors, offering stunning views of the North Sea and the dramatic coastline. For those not so keen on walking down the narrow path, the views from the top are still impressive!

John O’Groats

John o' Groats is a small village renowned for its iconic status as the northernmost point of the British mainland and the start / end of the famous Land's End to John o' Groats challenge. The village offers stunning coastal scenery, opportunities for wildlife spotting, and a unique atmosphere. While it may be a remote location, John o' Groats holds a special place in the hearts of many who have visited its shores.

From here we take the ferry across The Pentland Firth to mainland Orkney.

Standing stones of Stenness

Explore one of the earliest henge monuments in the British Isles that dates back over 5000 years. The enormous Stones of Stenness are all that remains of a great stone circle on an ancient ceremonial site.

Today, there are four upright stones standing to a height of 6m in a circle where there were originally 12 stones. A large hearth dominated the interior. Over time, plowing has destroyed the form of the ditch and bank around the stones, but visitors can still appriciate this wonder of pre-historic engineering.

TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION

The Kirkwall Hotel

A refurbished Victorian hotel on Kirkwall's harbour front. Offering sea-view rooms, a popular restaurant, a Highland Park whisky bar, and a welcoming atmosphere. Step through the vintage revolving doors and into a world of contemporary interiors.

Room grade: Sea view classic, ensuite

Board: Bed & Breakfast

Accommodation is subject to availability

Day 3

Italian Chapel

Built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, this ornate Catholic chapel was constructed from repurposed materials, including Nissen huts and salvaged debris.  The prisoners, seeking a place of worship and a sense of community, transformed the humble structures into a beautiful, adorned with intricate murals, mosaics, and religious symbols and is a sign of enduring human spirit.

Skara Brae

The jewel in the crown of Orkney and one of the best Neolithic sites in Europe, Skara Brae is an ancient village that was hidden for millennia until its accidental discovery in 1850. Dating back to around 3,200 BC, the complex of houses, constructed of stone and covered with turf roofs, feature intricately carved stonework and a central hearth for warmth and cooking and is very modern in many respects. Skara Brae offers insights into the daily lives, social structures, and technological advancements of the period.

Ring of Brodgar

The Ring of Brodgar is one of the largest Neolithic stone circles in the Uk, with a diameter of around 100 meters. It's believed to have been a place of religious or ceremonial significance with stones thought to have been transported from nearby quarries and erected around 3000 BC. The circle offers remote solitude and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Maeshowe

Maeshowe is a remarkable archaeological site in Orkney. The Neolithic chambered cairn was built around 3000 BCE, Inside, intricate Pictish carvings offer a glimpse into this pre-historic people, aligned to the winter solstice. On the solstice, sunlight travels through a narrow slit in the roof and strikes the back wall of the chamber, creating a stunning display of light and shadow. This alignment suggests a specific astronomical purpose, connected to ancient beliefs or rituals.

TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION

The Kirkwall Hotel

A refurbished Victorian hotel on Kirkwall's harbour front. Offering sea-view rooms, a popular restaurant, a Highland Park whisky bar, and a welcoming atmosphere. Step through the vintage revolving doors and into a world of contemporary interiors.

Room grade:

Board: Bed & Breakfast

Accommodation is subject to availability

Day 4

Marwick Head nature reserve

RSPB Scotland Marwick Head Nature Reserve is a great place to visit for a day of fresh air and stunning scenery. It's home to the largest cliff nesting seabird colony on Orkney with thousands of birds soaring above the cliffs during the summer months. Marwick Head is thriving with a variety of other wildlife, including red-throated divers, Arctic skuas, and great yellow bumblebees.

Take the walking trail up to the top of the cliffs where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Orkney Islands.

Castle of Mey

Originally known as Barrogill Castle, The castle of Mey was built between 1566 and 1572 by George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. In 1952, the Queen Mother purchased the castle and it is most famous for being the summer residence of the late Queen Mother . She conducted extensive renovations to the castle and visitors can experience her legacy, learn about the history and enjoy the beautiful gardens and grounds.

TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION

Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

A riverside hotel in Inverness with elegant rooms, a brasserie, and on-site breweries. Perfect for exploring the Highlands

Room grade: River View ensuite

Board: Bed & Breakfast

Accommodation is subject to availability

Day 5

Loch Ness

Needing no introduction, Loch Ness lies on the Highland Fault Line that runs along the Great Glen between Fort William and Inverness. Famous for its fabled monster, Loch Ness is the largest body of fresh water in the Uk, stretching 22.5 miles and can be seen from space.

Urquhart Castle

The landmark Urquhart Castle stands on a small headland above the shores of Loch Ness. Said to be the main point of protection in the highlands, it’s perfectly placed to command a spectacular view of the famous loch.

Though it was originally one of the largest castles in Scotland, only parts of it are still standing. There may have been an earlier large fort on the site, the current castle was built around the middle of the 13th century . The name ‘Urquhart’ is thought to combine Gaelic and Old Welsh words to mean ‘by the woodland’.

Glencoe

Within the extensive Lochaber Geopark, Glencoe offers some of the finest mountain scenery in Scotland. Towering above the long glen, several rugged peaks and ridges rise to heights well over 3000 feet. The notorious Massacre of Glencoe took place in February 1692 when government soldiers had been billeted on the homes of the MacDonalds who felt bound to give them hospitality, going on to murder their hosts in their sleep. This event is a pivotal moment in highland history and we'll explain the complicated history from the viewpoint.