Scotland West Coast Islands and Orkney Tour
Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour
Tour Description
The tour of dreams - 9 days to enjoy 5 fantastic west coast islands and the prehistoric beauty and history of the northern Orkney islands.
Tour highlights include the rolling splendour of the island of Mull, the peace and spirituality of Columba’s Iona, with an optional visit to the breathtaking and musical island of Staffa, followed by the dramatic beauty of our most famous of Islands, Skye. Let the ‘misty island’ enchant you with her incredible bounty before heading to the Orkney archipelago, rich in its archaeological treasures. Highlights also include infamous Glencoe, the national park and bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Eilean Donan castle, and no trip would be complete without a visit to the eerie shores of Loch Ness.
DAY 1: EDINBURGH - STIRLING - LOCH LOMOND - WEST HIGHLANDS - OBAN
Taking you north passed Stirling castle, and then west to Scotland's first National Park around Loch Lomond, and the bonny banks". You will travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the area close to the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada before arriving in bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2 night stay.
DAY 2: OBAN - MULL - IONA - STAFFA - OBAN
An early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and enjoying an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquility of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave". You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.
DAY 3: OBAN - GLENCOE - FORT WILLIAM - GLENFINNAN - PLOCKTON
We go north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. You then pass through Fort William nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We continue through the Great Glen a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. *Please note that if your tour departs on a Saturday, you stay in Portree instead of Plockton. Also, during busy periods, the same change may take place.
DAY 4: A DAY TRAVELLING AROUND SKYE
Today is a very flexible day on Skye; and your driver-guide ensures you take a unique route that suits the weather, the local events, and your group's interests. You may ascend the Quiraing along Trotternish Ridge and be rewarded with spectacular views. Alternatively, you could drink in the scenery at Loch Corruisk or drive through the dramatic Red Cuillin to the little hamlet of Elgol.
DAY 5: POTREE - LOCH NESS - INVERNESS
You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland. We will stop to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film “Highlander”, set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. The travel east for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie".
Half an hour south of Loch Ness you will stop in the village of Spean Bridge and join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Orkney. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions.
At Loch Ness you will join up with the tour travelling to Orkney and the Far North. With your new crew you will continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch passing by Urquhart castle. You can expect to arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital, and the place of our overnight stay at approx 18.30 where you will be dropped off at your pre booked accommodation .
DAY 6: INVERNESS - BLACK ISLE - JOHN O'GROATS - KIRKWALL
It's an early start, leaving behind the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing over the Black Isle, and continuing past Dunrobin Castle. From here, you drive along the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery.
Onwards through Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John O'Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, and cross the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. It's a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where you stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney. Here you can visit Kirkwall's magnificent Viking Cathedral and enjoy its historic winding streets in the evening.
DAY 7: KIRKWALL - SKARA BRAE - BRODGAR - STENNESS - STROMNESS - MAESHOWE - KIRKWALL
A chance to explore this fantastic, ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. You will visit the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae (older than the Pyramids of Egypt!), the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness. We stop in Stromness - one of Scotland's most picturesque seaboard villages and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. Then its back to Kirkwall for our 2nd night after what is sure to be a memorable day.
DAY 8: KIRKWALL - JOHN O'GROATS - ARDVRECK CASTLE - ULLAPOOL
A relaxed start to the day, as you leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here you travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of our northern coastline. We then visit the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. From here we travel to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where we spent our last night's stay on tour.
DAY 9: ULLAPOOL - RIVER DORMA - CULLODEN MOOR - CLAVA CAIRNS - CAIRNGORMS - EDINBURGH
Leaving Ullapool behind you, you take in the drama of the River Dorma as it plunges 60m down into Corrieshalloch Gorge, before taking in the beautiful Loch Glascarnoch, on the way past the 'Capital of the Highlands' Inverness. You can then visit Culloden Moor, the site of The Battle of Culloden in 1746, one of the bloodiest events in our history and the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland, before taking a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander books. This prehistoric and stunning Bronze Age burial ground is one of the oldest in Scotland. From here you travel through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, hugging the Cairngorm mountain range. Lunch will be spent in these beautiful surroundings before travelling through big tree country of Perthshire, through the Kingdom of Fife, and back to Edinburgh around 19.00.
For departure details refer to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" Section...
Iona, Mull, Staffa, Skye and Orkney 9 Day Tour
Prices & Dates
Departs: 09:00 | Returns: 19:00 approx
Departure Point: Tour departs from Gate J & Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
Departs: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - April to October
Prices Per Person (including accommodation)
Use the calendar to find pricing on specific dates (in blue)
**children under 5 years of age are not accepted. See below for more price notes
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
What's Included
The Tour Includes:
- Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience.
- Forced air ventilation as standard.
- Services of a professional driver/guide
- All ferry crossings except optional trip to Staffa.
- accommodation in 3 star hotels or B&Bs
- Admission to Maeshowe
- Admission to Skara Brae
- Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield
Not Included:
- Lunch, Dinner and refreshments.
- Visitor Attractions not mentioned above
Important Information:
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!! Accommodation on this tour is dispersed around Oban and Portree which are small but hilly! If you have mobility problems or special requirements please let us know when booking. Because there is so much to see and do on the 2nd day, we catch the early ferry which means you may miss your breakfast at your accommodation.
Cancellation conditions:
1 day tours: For cancellations less than 72 hours before departure - 100% charge
Extended tours: For cancellations less than 3 weeks before departure - 100% charge
No charges apply for cancellations received outwith these periods.
Departure & Map
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Terms & Conditions
Payment
Reservations will only be confirmed on receipt of full payment.
Cancellations and Refunds
The Company will only cancel tours due to circumstances outwith our control.
Where the Customer cancels the tour reservation then the effective date of cancellation will be the date the Company receives written notification. In the event of cancellation a charge, as detailed below, shall be payable by the Customer.
If cancellation for extended tours is made less than 3 weeks before the tour commences, refunds are at our discretion. Please also note that customers may be liable for 1 nights accommodation surcharge in this instance. If cancellations are made less than 72 hours before the tour commences, please be advised that customers may be liable for all accommodation costs.
Charges
For All Tours, City Breaks and holidays of more than 1 day
a) Cancellation more than 21 days before the tour date 10%
b) Cancellation less than 21 days before the start of the tour entirely at our discretion.
For 1 Day Sightseeing Tours
a) Cancellation more than 72 hours before tour departure 10%
b) Cancellation less than 72 hours before the tour departure entirely at our discretion.
Alternatives/Cancellations
While the Company shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and details as planned, the Company reserves the right to alter itineraries, transport or accommodation for whatever reason. In the case of hotel accommodation a similar standard of alternative accommodation will be obtained wherever possible.
The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any person whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offence or upset to other passengers. In such cases full cancellation charges apply and the Company shall have no further liability to that passenger.
Other operators/carriers
The Company will not accept or have any liability for any acts or omissions whether negligent or otherwise of any supplier or person providing services in connection with any tour unless such a person is employed by or under the direct control of the Company. Tickets for travel on other carriers are subject to the normal conditions of carriage of the individual carrier.
Luggage
Unless otherwise notified passengers are restricted to one medium sized suitcase/bag and one carry-on bag per person. Luggage is carried free of charge but at the passenger's own risk.
Children
We regret we do not carry children under the age of 5.
Insurance
The Company strongly recommends that passengers arrange suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on coaches but there are frequent stops en route for passengers who wish to smoke.
Financial Protection
In accordance with the EC Directive on Package Travel all customers monies are held in trust until such time as the tour has been completed.
Force Majeure
The Company does not accept any liability for any loss, inconvenience or damage caused by war, threat of war, riot or civil commotion, terrorist or criminal activity, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fires, sickness, weather conditions, road or traffic conditions, temporary technical, mechanical or electrical breakdown within booked accommodation, explosion of, or radioactive contamination from, any nuclear facility or other events beyond the control of the Company.
Jurisdiction
These conditions shall be construed and interpreted in accordance within the Law of Scotland and the Parties each submit to the jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts.
