5 Days Orkney Islands & NC500 Tour from Glasgow

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Edinburgh to Inverness⌄

   Visit Cairngorms National Park, the largest and one of the most beautiful National Parks in the country for a lovely woodland walk

   Explore Culloden Battlefield and discover the turbulent past of the Jacobite Uprising, Civil War and Bonnie Prince Charlie

   Visit the town of Inverness for some free time to enjoy!

   Step back in time at Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site surrounded by standing stones. Dating back to over 4,000 years, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s Neolithic past.

   Enjoy lunch in this town in the Cairngorms National Park. It’s known for its proximity to secluded lochs, ancient forest, mountain trails, and ski runs!

   Enjoy a taste of Highland whisky at the Dalwhinnie Distillery bar or have a wander around the lovely distillery shop to pick up a gift (for someone else, or yourself!)

2. 2Inverness to Orkney⌄

   Travel north from the city of Inverness along a gorgeous section of the North Coast 500, visiting beautiful locations on the way.

   A beautiful coastal walk with views of dramatic cliffs and the sea.

   Visit the Italian Chapel, a beautifully decorated structure built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II.

   Try a dram or two after embarking on a tour at Scapa Distillery to learn the art of whisky making!

   End your day in Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney! Explore the town’s quiet streets, local shops, and cafes. This is where we will spend the next 2 nights.

3. 3Orkney Islands Adventure⌄

   Visit the ancient Viking town of Kirkwall and get the chance to visit St Magnus Cathedral perched in the centre of town

   Get the chance to visit the ancient monument dating 5000 years ago, with an expert Tour Guide

   Feel like Claire from Outlander as you get the chance to visit some of the tallest Standing Stones in the country dating to over 5000 years ago. Also, visit the a small group of building foundations from homes dating back to the same period and discover how similar our ancient stone age ancestors were to us

   Visit one of the largest Stone Circles in the country at the Ring of Brodgar

   Imagine walking in the footsteps of ancient ancestors and actually being able to visit the homes that they lived in over 5000 years ago. Well at Skara Brae, that's exactly what you'll be able to do. See the beds they slept in, the shelving they erected and the homes they built and that have been perfectly preserved.

4. 4Orkney to Inverness⌄

   Take the ferry back across the sea to the mainland from the Orkney Islands

   Get out and walk around the very small Village of John O Groats and get your picture taken with the famous finger post at Scotland's most northern mainland settlement

   Experience the Grey Cairns of Camster. An ancient burial ground dating to 1000's of years ago and get the chance to crawl on your hands and knees into the center of the Cairn (Good mobility is needed for this and no fear of cramped spaces)

   Arrive back in the area of Inverness for an evening stay.

   Explore the ruins of this 16th-century fortress, which offers breathtaking views of the coast and the surrounding landscapes.

   Visit Dunrobin Castle, a fairy-tale-like structure dating back to the 13th century. Explore the grand rooms of the castle and take a stroll through its beautiful gardens, offering amazing views of the coastline.

5. 5Inverness to Edinburgh⌄

   Visit the famous Loch Ness and get the chance to spot Nessie on a Cruise of these beautiful waters

   Explore one of the most scenic and dramatic locations in the whole of Scotland as you visit the valley of Glencoe

   Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is one of the most scenic locations in Scotland and you'll visit a few locations to enjoy the beauty and hear of the wildlife, culture and history of the area

   Travel through the beautiful Scottish Highlands, visiting lovely locations on the way.