Itinerary
- Day 1
Loch Lomond to Inverness
This morning, you'll head west from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where the landscape shifts from rolling lowlands to something much more dramatic. Glen Coe comes next, and the mountains here are really something - steep, dark ridges that rise sharply on both sides of the valley. After Glen Coe, you'll drive past Loch Ness (keep an eye out, though Nessie sightings are rare), and by late afternoon you'll arrive in Inverness. It's a good day of driving with plenty of scenery to take in along the way, so plan for stops to stretch and grab lunch.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Loch Lomond Trossachs National Park Glen Coe Fort William Great Glen Loch Ness - Day 2
Inverness to Orkney Isles
Starting early from Inverness, you'll drive north through the Moray and Cromarty Firths, watching the landscape flatten out as you head toward the coast. From there, you'll board a ferry heading to the Orkney Isles. The crossing takes a couple of hours, so bring something to read. Once you arrive, check out the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II - it's surprisingly beautiful given its history. From there, drive along the Churchill Barriers, a series of causeways connecting the islands, which offer their own unique perspective on the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Italian Chapel
- See Churchill Barriers
Landmarks/POIs Moray Firth Cromarty Firth Italian Chapel Churchill Barriers - Day 3
Orkney Isles
You've got a full day based in Kirkwall exploring Orkney's prehistoric sites. Start with Maeshowe, a chambered cairn that dates back over 5,000 years and sits on a slight rise across the landscape. Then head to Skara Brae, a Neolithic village that's genuinely old - we're talking 5,000 years old as well. Later, walk through the stone circles at Stenness and Ring o' Brodgar, which are spread across open moorland and give off a quieter, more isolated feeling than some other ancient sites. Finish the day at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, which is medieval and stands right in the town center. It's a lot of history in one day, so pace yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Skara Brae
- Visit Maeshowe chambered cairn
- Visit Stenness stone circles
- Visit Ring o' Brodgar
- Visit St Magnus Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Browse craft and gift shops in Kirkwall
Landmarks/POIs Maeshowe Skara Brae Stenness Ring o' Brodgar St Magnus Cathedral - Day 4
Orkney Isles to Inverness
Mid-morning ferry takes you back to the mainland. Once you arrive, you'll head south along the Caithness and Sutherland coast toward Dunrobin Castle, the historic home of the Earls of Sutherland - it's a massive place with turrets and gardens that feel like something out of a storybook. After exploring the castle and grounds, continue driving south to return to Inverness for your final evening. It's a more relaxed day compared to yesterday, with time to settle in before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Dunrobin Castle
Landmarks/POIs Dunrobin Castle - Day 5
Inverness to Edinburgh
Begin the morning at Culloden battlefield, where you can walk the grounds and get a sense of the historic 1746 battle between the Jacobites and British forces. Then head to Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site with Bronze Age cairns arranged in a circle. After that, you have the option to visit a local distillery for a dram if whisky interests you. From there, drive through the Cairngorms National Park, where the scenery opens up with mountains and glens. Later, you'll pass through Pitlochry, a town with shops and cafes where you might grab lunch. By evening, you'll arrive back in Edinburgh, completing your Highland loop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Culloden battlefield
- Explore Clava Cairns
Optional Activities
- Enjoy a dram at a local distillery
- Explore Pitlochry
Landmarks/POIs Culloden Battlefield Clava Cairns Cairngorms National Park Pitlochry
