From Edinburgh: Orkney and The Far North 5-Day Tour

Orkney gives this tour its real magic. In five long days, you move from the wooded shores of Loch Lomond and the stark cliffs of Glen Coe to prehistoric stone circles, Viking-era Kirkwall, and the broad northern sea. The best part is the contrast: one day is classic Highland scenery, the next feels like a different country.

I like the small group of up to 16 because it makes ferry crossings, short walks, and town stops easier to manage. I also like the mix of major sites and quiet viewpoints, something guides such as Kenny and Eddy have used well by adding local stories, music, and lesser-known stops along the road.

The main drawback is the pace. You cover a huge amount of Scotland, and some days include many short stops. If you prefer a long lunch or extra time inside museums, this can feel brisk. The luggage limit is also strict, at 15 kilograms plus one small carry-on.

Key points to know before booking

• Orkney’s prehistoric heart: Visit Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar.
• A memorable ferry crossing: Travel between mainland Scotland and Orkney as part of the route, rather than treating the islands as a quick flight stop.
• A strong Highland opening: See Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Fort William, the Great Glen, and Loch Ness before reaching Orkney.
• Two nights in Kirkwall: This gives you a useful base for the islands and time to see St Magnus Cathedral.
• A history-packed finish: Return through Inverness, Culloden, the Cairngorm Mountains, and Pitlochry.
• Good value for a guided trip: The $1,288 price includes transport, four nights, four breakfasts, the ferry, and entry to Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel.

Why Orkney makes this five-day trip special

Orkney is not just another scenic stop in Scotland. It has a powerful sense of time. Stone circles, chambered tombs, early villages, wartime defenses, and a medieval cathedral all sit within a relatively compact island group.

That range is the reason I like this route. You are not spending five days looking at similar views from a minibus window. The experience keeps changing. One morning you may be thinking about Neolithic builders, then Italian prisoners of war, then the naval defenses of the Second World War.

The tour also removes a fair amount of planning work. You do not need to arrange the mainland route, ferry crossing, accommodation, and Orkney visits separately. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the route and adds context along the way. Guide quality matters greatly on a tour like this, and the named guides associated with the experience include Eddy, Kenny, Ian, and Stefan.

The group is limited to 16 people. That is still a group, not a private outing, but it is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach tour. You will need to stay with the schedule, though. The ferry, accommodation changes, and long driving days leave little room for running late.

Day one: Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, and Loch Ness

The opening day heads north from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. This is a fine introduction to the Highlands, with water, hills, and changing views arriving early in the journey.

The route continues toward Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most memorable valleys. Its beauty has a dark side: it was the site of the 1692 massacre of members of the MacDonald Clan. A good guide can help you understand that the valley is not merely a photo stop. Its shape, isolation, and history all add weight to the visit.

You then pass Fort William and enter the Great Glen before reaching Loch Ness. The loch is famous for its monster story, but the setting is the real reason to pause here. The route gives you a broad introduction to northern Scotland without asking you to spend the first day on a single attraction.

You stay overnight in Inverness. That matters because it breaks up the journey and gives you a proper base before the ferry crossing. The day is long, so pack water and keep your small items easy to reach. You will be in and out of the vehicle, and the appeal of the day is the steady change in scenery rather than one extended visit.

Day two: Inverness, the firths, and the sea to Orkney

The second morning takes you north from Inverness along the Moray and Cromarty Firths. These coastal stretches add a different kind of scenery, with open water and wide views replacing the enclosed valleys of the previous day.

The ferry crossing is one of the tour’s most useful features. It turns the journey to Orkney into part of the experience. You are not simply arriving at an island airport and starting a sightseeing program. The crossing helps mark the shift from mainland Scotland to Orkney.

Once on the islands, the route visits the Italian Chapel. Italian prisoners of war built the chapel during the Second World War, and its story makes the modest building especially moving. The interior decoration is part of its appeal, but the larger point is human: people held far from home made something careful and beautiful under difficult conditions.

The day also includes the Churchill Barriers. These causeways were built to protect the British naval fleet from submarine attack. They now connect several islands, but their original purpose gives the route a strong wartime connection.

You spend the night in Kirkwall. Two nights here are a smart choice. Instead of packing up again after one evening, you can use the town as your base for the main Orkney touring day.

Kirkwall: a useful base with a medieval center

Kirkwall is the natural center for this part of the trip. You have time to look around its craft and gift shops, and the town provides a change from the open coastal scenery.

The main landmark is St Magnus Cathedral, which you visit on day three. Its red and yellow stone gives it a distinctive look, and its presence reminds you that Orkney was closely tied to the Norse world. The cathedral is not simply an extra stop added between prehistoric sites. It helps connect the islands’ older history with their later religious and political life.

The town visit is also where the tour’s pace becomes more noticeable. You may want a slow meal or time to browse, but the day has several major sites to cover. Plan to use free moments well. If you see a café or shop you want to try, do not assume you can return later.

Day three: Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the stone circles

This is the centerpiece of the tour. From Kirkwall, you spend the day among some of Orkney’s most important prehistoric sites.

Maeshowe is a chambered cairn, built as a burial monument long before written records in the area. The value of a visit here is not just the age of the structure. It is the sense of planning involved, the careful movement of stone, and the mystery surrounding the people who built it.

Skara Brae offers a different kind of encounter. This Neolithic village gives you a look at domestic life rather than only monumental construction. You can think about rooms, homes, and daily routines instead of standing stones alone. It is one of the strongest stops for anyone interested in early communities.

The Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar bring you back into the open air. These sites are visually simple, but their effect depends on the setting and the time you have to look. A guide can explain what is known, while also leaving room for the parts that remain uncertain.

This day is excellent for history-minded visitors, but it is not a museum day. You will spend time outside and move between several locations. Good footwear and clothing for changeable weather are sensible, though the tour information does not specify a walking distance or accessibility arrangement.

You return to St Magnus Cathedral before another night in Kirkwall. The sequence works well: prehistoric village, ancient monuments, and a medieval church, all in one day. It also explains why the tour needs a full five days. Trying to compress this into a day trip from mainland Scotland would turn the islands into a checklist.

Day four: back to Inverness

The fourth day begins with the ferry back to the mainland. This reverses the previous crossing and brings you back toward Inverness.

Compared with day three, this is a lighter sightseeing day. The ferry and return route take time, but you get another look at the sea crossing and the northern coast. Once in Inverness, you have a chance to spend time in the Highlands capital before staying overnight.

The accommodation is arranged for four nights, with two nights in Inverness and two in Kirkwall. The standard is not described as luxury, and the exact properties can vary. Still, the accommodation feedback has been positive overall, with clean bed-and-breakfast rooms and hospitable hosts noted as part of the experience.

One practical point deserves attention: accommodation can change between the outward and return stays in Inverness. If having the same hotel both times matters to you, ask about this before booking.

Day five: Culloden, the Cairngorm Mountains, and Pitlochry

The last day heads south toward Edinburgh, but it is not just a transfer. You visit Culloden, the battlefield where the Jacobite forces were defeated.

Culloden is an important stop because it gives the Highland story a political and military setting. The visit can feel short if you want a full museum experience, so consider checking the day’s timing before you book. Some visitors would prefer more time at the battlefield museum and less time at a commercial stop, especially if the itinerary includes a whisky distillery visit without a tasting included in the base price.

The route then passes through the Cairngorm Mountains. This is another chance to enjoy Scotland from the vehicle, with the scenery serving as a final reminder of how far north you have gone.

Pitlochry provides the last town stop before Edinburgh. It is picturesque and gives you a pleasant change of pace after the open mountains and battlefield. The tour then returns to the capital, completing a route that covers a remarkable amount of ground without requiring you to drive.

The guide can shape the whole experience

On a long small-group tour, your guide is more than a driver. The guide controls the rhythm of the day, explains the places you see, and decides how much local flavor enters the journey.

Eddy has lived in Orkney for many years, which is especially useful on the island portion. A guide with local experience can help you understand the difference between the headline sights and the smaller views along the road. Kenny has been praised for adding out-of-the-way viewpoints, town tips, relevant music, and stories between stops.

Ian and Stefan are also named guides connected with this experience. Ian is associated with humor, music, and clear historical explanation, while Stefan is noted for keeping the trip running smoothly. The exact guide is not guaranteed, so you should book for the route and format rather than for one particular person.

The best guide style here is active but not overbearing. You get more from the tour when the guide explains the story, then gives you quiet time to look. That balance is particularly important at the stone circles and along the coast.

What is included, and what the $1,288 price buys you

At $1,288 per person, this is a substantial purchase. The value depends on how much independent planning you want to avoid.

The price includes transportation, an English-speaking driver-guide, four nights of accommodation, four breakfasts, the ferry crossing, and entry to Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel. Those included admissions matter because the main Orkney sites are the reason for making the trip.

Meals other than breakfast are not included. You should budget separately for lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks. Other entry tickets are also extra, so do not assume every museum or optional attraction is covered.

For me, the strongest value comes from the route itself. You would otherwise need to coordinate a long mainland drive, two ferry journeys, island transport, several hotel nights, and timed visits to major archaeological sites. If you already have a car and enjoy handling all those details, an independent trip might offer more freedom. If you want a guided overview without driving, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this Orkney tour

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at northern Scotland and Orkney in one trip. It suits people who enjoy archaeology, military history, island scenery, and long road journeys.

It is also a good fit if you are comfortable with a planned schedule. The days are full, the route is long, and the weather can affect the itinerary. The operator can change the route because of weather, acts of God, or events outside its control.

I would be more cautious if you want slow travel. One person specifically wished for fewer short stops and a proper lunch break, and that is a fair concern. The tour gives you range, but not unlimited time at each place.

Children under three are not accepted. Children aged three and older can join with valid proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate. Solo visitors need to select the single-room option, and room arrangements depend on the booking choice and availability.

Pack light. The maximum luggage allowance is 15 kilograms, with a maximum size of 55 by 40 by 20 centimeters, plus one small carry-on. That is enough for five days if you plan carefully, but not if you bring a large suitcase.

My verdict: a strong choice for a first Orkney visit

I would book this tour if Orkney is a priority and I also want to see the Highlands without renting a car. The combination of Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, St Magnus Cathedral, and the wartime sites gives the island portion real depth.

The tour is not perfect. The schedule can feel crowded, lunches are on your own, some admissions cost extra, and the final day may leave you wanting more time at Culloden. But the route is well chosen, the group size is sensible, and two nights in Kirkwall let you see Orkney properly rather than merely passing through.

At a 4.9 rating from 16 bookings, the experience has received very strong feedback, particularly for guides, accommodation, smooth organization, scenery, and the relaxed pace on the best days. Book it for the full journey and the range of places, not for a leisurely island retreat.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Edinburgh?

The meeting point is at Caffe Nero in Parliament Square on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RE.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 106 hours, or five days.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking driver-guide.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 16 participants.

How many nights are included?

Four nights of accommodation are included, with overnight stays in Inverness and Kirkwall.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, snacks, and other meals are not included.

Which Orkney attractions are included?

Entry is included for Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel. Other entry tickets are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Children under three cannot join. Children aged three and older are accepted with valid proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate.