Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Oban
You'll leave Edinburgh this morning heading west through some of Scotland's most well-known landscapes. The route takes you through Trossnachs National Park, then stops at Inveraray, an 18th-century town worth a quick look around. From there, you'll drive into the Western Highlands where the mountains really start to dominate the scenery. By evening, you'll reach Oban, a historic port town on the coast.
Landmarks/POIs Trossnachs National Park Inveraray 
- Day 2
Mull - Iona - Oban
An early start gets you to the ferry for the Isle of Mull. During the crossing, keep an eye out for white-tailed eagles and the dramatic cliffs along the way. From Mull, you'll take another ferry to Iona, known as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity. There's time to walk through the historic abbey and explore the windswept coastlines. If the weather cooperates, you can add on an optional boat trip in the afternoon to Staffa and Fingal's Cave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Isle of Mull
- Ferry to Iona
- Visit Iona Abbey
- Return ferry to Oban
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Staffa and Fingal's Cave (approximately GBP £40, payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Isle of Mull Iona Abbey Fingal's Cave 
- Day 3
Glencoe - Fort William - Balmacara
You'll drive north along the coast, passing Castle Stalker before entering Glencoe. The valley's beautiful, though it carries heavy history from the 1692 massacre. Moving on, Fort William comes next, and you'll see Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak at 4,413 feet/1,345 meters. The drive continues through quiet glens past the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donan Castle, with photo stops built in. You'll arrive in Balmacara by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Glencoe
- Photo stops at Castle Stalker, Ben Nevis, Five Sisters of Kintail, and Eilean Donan Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore local trails in Balmacara
- Visit Balmacara Estate
- Meal at local inn or pub
Landmarks/POIs Castle Stalker Glencoe Ben Nevis Five Sisters of Kintail Eilean Donan Castle - Day 4
Isle of Skye - Balmacara
Today on the Isle of Skye, your guide will choose the best spots based on what the weather looks like and local conditions. Hiking is on the agenda to get into the dramatic scenery, with choices like the Quiraing hill walk, the Old Man of Storr walk, or Neist Point Lighthouse. You'll spend the day taking photographs and wandering around this remote landscape, then head back to Balmacara in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Isle of Skye
- Hiking and scenic walks
Optional Activities
- The Quiraing hill walk
- Old Man of Storr Walk
- Visit Neist Point Lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Isle of Skye The Quiraing Old Man of Storr Neist Point Lighthouse 
- Day 5
Loch Ness - Inverness
After breakfast, you'll start at Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th-century fortress sitting on an island. Then it's to Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail. Lunch happens at Loch Ness, so you can watch for Nessie if you like. The group splits at Spean Bridge, and you'll continue north instead of returning to Edinburgh. You'll drive the entire 23-mile length of the Great Glen and arrive in Inverness by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (at Loch Ness)
Included Activities
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle
Landmarks/POIs Eilean Donan Castle Loch Duich Five Sisters of Kintail Loch Ness Spean Bridge Great Glen 
- Day 6
John o'Groats - Kirkwall
You'll leave Inverness early, passing Dunrobin Castle and following the northeast Highlands coastline. Weather and ferry schedules permitting, you'll reach John o'Groats at Great Britain's northeastern tip. Then comes the ferry crossing to Orkney over the Pentland Firth. Once there, you'll stop at the colorful Italian Chapel before reaching Kirkwall, Orkney's capital. Your evening is free if you want to visit St Magnus Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Italian Chapel
- Ferry crossing to Orkney
Optional Activities
- Stop at John o'Groats (if ferry timetables allow)
- Visit St Magnus Cathedral in evening
Landmarks/POIs Dunrobin Castle John o'Groats Pentland Firth Italian Chapel St Magnus Cathedral 
- Day 7
Orkney
Orkney offers green pastures, windswept sandy beaches, and a lot of history packed into one day. You'll start at Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic settlement that predates both the Pyramids and Stonehenge. Next is the prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the standing stones at Stenness. Maeshowe comes after lunch, where you'll see well-preserved Viking runic inscriptions from the 12th century. You'll return to Kirkwall for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission to Skara Brae
- Visit stone circle at Brodgar
- Visit standing stones at Stenness
- Admission to Maeshowe
Landmarks/POIs Skara Brae Ring of Brodgar Standing Stones of Stenness Maeshowe - Day 8
Ullapool
After breakfast, you'll board the return ferry from Orkney to the mainland. The drive along Scotland's northern coast is dramatic, with Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains rising up and coastline stretching out. You'll stop to see Ardvreck Castle in the far northwest mountains of Assynt. By late afternoon, you'll arrive in Ullapool, a whitewashed fishing village at the mouth of Loch Broom. You'll spend two nights here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Orkney to mainland
- View Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains
- Visit Ardvreck Castle
Landmarks/POIs Ben Loyal Ben Hope Ardvreck Castle - Day 9
Ullapool
This day in Ullapool is yours to spend however you like. Mountains surround the village, and it's great for wildlife. You could take a cruise around the Summer Isles to spot seals, dolphins, porpoises, and sea birds. If you'd rather hike, a two-hour walk up Claypool hill gives you views over Loch Broom. Other options include craft boutiques, whisky tasting, fresh seafood restaurants, or catching local live music in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Cruise around Summer Isles
- Two-hour walk up Claypool hill
- Craft boutique shopping
- Whisky tasting
- Seafood dining
- Live music venues
Landmarks/POIs Summer Isles Loch Broom - Day 10
Stornoway
You'll have breakfast overlooking Loch Broom before starting a 2.5-hour ferry crossing through the Summer Isles to Stornoway. Watch the water during the trip for dolphins and whales. Once you arrive on Lewis and Harris, your driver-guide takes over, showing you traditional crofting towns and seaside ports along the northwest coast. The Butt of Lewis offers sweeping views toward America. You'll end the day in Stornoway.
- Meals
- Breakfast (overlooking Loch Broom's sparkling waters)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Stornoway
- Tour of traditional crofting towns and seaside ports
- Visit Butt of Lewis
Landmarks/POIs Summer Isles Stornoway Butt of Lewis - Day 11
Lewis and Harris Island
The day focuses on Lewis and Harris history and landscape. You'll start at Arnol Blackhouse to see how traditional farming worked without getting too involved. Then it's to Dun Carloway fort, built around 100 AD with plenty of history to explore. The afternoon is spent wandering the coasts and mountains that Lewis offers. Later, you'll return to Stornoway for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission to Arnol Blackhouse
- Visit Dun Carloway fort
- Exploration of Lewis coasts and mountains
Landmarks/POIs Arnol Blackhouse Dun Carloway - Day 12
Luskentyre - Portree
Harris has towering peaks and white-sand beaches like Luskentyre that you'll explore in the morning. The region has deep roots in Harris Tweed history, myths, and local legends. After lunch, there's possibly a beach picnic if weather allows, so bring sunglasses. Later, you'll take a ferry to Portree, the largest town on Skye, where you'll settle in for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (possibly beach picnic at Luskentyre (if weather permits))
Included Activities
- Exploration of Harris landscapes and beaches
- Ferry to Portree
Optional Activities
- Beach picnic at Luskentyre (if weather permits)
Landmarks/POIs Luskentyre - Day 13
Isle of Skye
You'll spend the day getting the most out of Skye's landscape. Options include trekking to the Quiraing mountain pass for high views, seeing Kilt Rock and its tall waterfall, or taking a boat trip to Loch Coruisk. Portree has great seafood restaurants where you can end the evening, reflecting on what you've seen around the island during the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trek to Quiraing mountain pass
- Visit Kilt Rock and waterfall
- Boat excursion to Loch Coruisk
- Seafood dining in Portree restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Quiraing Kilt Rock Loch Coruisk - Day 14
Edinburgh
As you head back to Edinburgh, more highlights appear on the route. After crossing the Skye Bridge, Eilean Donan Castle comes into view on a loch, perfect for photos. You'll pass beneath cloud-covered Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest mountain. Then comes Glencoe's valley, shaped by both its tragic 1692 massacre and its striking mountains. Rolling hills give way to flatter Lowlands terrain, and you'll arrive back in Edinburgh by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cross Skye Bridge
- View Eilean Donan Castle
Landmarks/POIs Skye Bridge Eilean Donan Castle Ben Nevis Glencoe
