5 Days: Orkney Archipelago - Ring of Brodgar - Skara Brae - Clava Cairns - Ardvreck Castle - Glencoe

Tour overview:

Venture deep into Scotland’s wild north on this epic five-day adventure through towering mountains, ancient landscapes, and remote islands. Journey through the dramatic valley of Glencoe, follow the mysterious waters of Loch Ness, and travel the spectacular North Coast 500 to the very edge of mainland Scotland before sailing across Viking waters to the Orkney Islands. Explore 5,000-year-old villages, towering stone circles, and windswept coastal cliffs before returning to the rugged Highlands to discover sea caves, ruined castles, and the historic battlefield of Culloden. From untamed wilderness to ancient legends, this tour is a thrilling exploration of Scotland at its most raw and remarkable.

Day 1 - Glencoe and the Highlands

As you head north, you pass by some iconic Scottish landmarks, including the Kelpies, 30-meter-tall horse head sculptures, and the imposing Stirling Castle, perched high on a craggy hill. Crossing the ancient Fault Line that divides Scotland, you'll enter the breathtaking Highlands. Here, the flat, fertile plains of the Lowlands gradually give way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain peaks, and forest-filled glens within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Continuing north, you traverse the vast, open landscapes of Rannoch Moor before arriving at Glen Coe, one of Scotland's most famous natural landmarks.

Next, you'll visit Fort William, a charming Highland town nestled at the foot of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continuing along the rugged landscapes of Great Glen, we'll stop for photos at the most scenic viewpoints. The journey takes us north to a Highland gem, Falls of Foyers.

We journey along the legendary Loch Ness, whose dark, peat-stained waters hold more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. Its vast depths make it the perfect hiding place for the elusive Loch Ness Monster. As the day winds down, we arrive in Inverness, the vibrant Capital of the Highlands.

Day 2 - The East Coast and Orkney

It's an early start as we leave behind the 'Capital of the Highlands,' cross over the Black Isle, and follow the iconic North Coast 500 route to Golspie for a brief stop. From there, it's just a short drive to Dunrobin Castle, a fairy-tale masterpiece with its soaring spires and beautiful gardens.

We explore the most stunning sections of the coast before we get ready to board the ferry at Gills Bay. Enjoy an hour-long journey on the Pentland Firth and feel the power of the strait's famous tides, while keeping an eye out for the distant shores of Orkney, an archipelago consisting of around 70 islands, of which only 20 are inhabited. We arrive at South Ronaldsay, in St Margaret's Hope, a small village with a scenic harbor. After crossing the Churchill Barriers, built during WWII to protect the naval base at Scapa Flow, we visit the Italian Chapel, a small church with intricate frescoes, before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney.

Day 3 - Skara Brae & Ancient Orkney

Today is your chance to explore this archipelago's fertile green pastures, fringed by shores of golden sands and washed by waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. As you journey through Orkney, you'll also visit the sites of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses some of the most significant and well-preserved prehistoric monuments in Europe.

This is also where you'll find Viking graffiti, runes carved by Norsemen who visited the site in the 12th century. Next, visit the Ring of Brodgar, an ancient stone circle steeped in local legends and set against views of hills. 

You'll return to Kirkwall in the early evening, giving you the freedom to decide how to spend your time.

Day 4 - Explore The North Coast 500

Say farewell to Kirkwall as we travel once again through the rugged, windswept landscape and past the calm and deep waters of Scapa Flow to St Margaret's Hope and the ferry terminal.

Enjoy an hour-long journey across the Viking waters of the Pentland Firth and keep your eyes peeled for any signs of whales or dolphins during your crossing.

Back on the mainland, the northern stretch of the North Coast 500 takes us through some of Scotland's most remote and rugged landscapes, with dramatic cliffs, windswept beaches, and rolling hills. Your driver-guide will lead you to the most scenic spots along the way before reaching Smoo Cave, a vast sea cave shaped by sea and freshwater over millennia, with a labyrinth of chambers to explore. 

We conclude the day with a scenic drive past the iconic silhouettes of towering mountains, back to Ullapool, passing through untouched moorlands and peat bogs enroute to the shores of Loch Broom. Enjoy a well-deserved rest among the charming, whitewashed cottages of this delightful fishing village.

Day 5 - Culloden Battlefield & Clava Cairns

Today, we continue uncovering the hidden gems of the Northwest Highlands, beginning with a journey south to witness the dramatic 60-meter plunge of the River Droma into Corrieshalloch Gorge. 

After learning about key events in Scottish history, we head to Clava Cairns, an ancient site of ring cairns and standing stones that inspired Craigh na Dun in Outlander. Our journey south offers classic Highland scenery, with photo stops and comfort breaks as we pass Cairngorms National Park. In Newtonmore, we visit the Highland Folk Museum, where you can explore 18th-century blackhouses, a working croft, and a 1930s schoolroom. 

It's time to say goodbye to the Highlands as we continue south through the rolling hills and fertile farmlands of the Kingdom of Fife. Your last highlight is the view of the iconic UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge you can admire on your way to Edinburgh.