10 Day Highlands, Neolithic Orkney & St Andrews

Day 1 is a fabulous introduction to the Scottish landscape. We explore the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. After lunch, admire the scenery at Glencoe; steeped in history with dramatic scenery and venture into the Great Glen to visit Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness. Overnight nr Loch Ness.

We wake to the spledour of the Great Glen and enjoy the morning exploring the shores of Loch Ness, perhaps visiting Urquhart Castle where the majority of Loch Ness Monster sightings have been made. After lunch, we head west through the dramatic scenery of Glenshiel towards the Isle of Skye. Overnight nr Skye.

This morning we cross over the Skye Bridge and venture through the Isle of Skye, passing the Cuillin Mountains and on to the Island capital, Portree. After lunch, we take in the fabulous scenery and seascapes with Kilt Rock Falls, the Old Man of Storr and take a hike in this area if desired. Overnight nr Skye.

Today begins with a visit to iconic Eilean Donan Castle before we head north and head for Inverness via beautiful Achnasheen and Strathpeffer. After a walk at Rogie Falls, enjoy a tour and a wee dram at the only remaining single malt Scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle; Glen Ord. Overnight Inverness.

We journey north to fairy-tale-like Dunrobin Castle dating back to the early 1300s before making our way through Sutherland. After lunch we head north to visit The Grey Cairns of Camster. Some agility is required to view the interior of these 5000-year-old chambered cairns. Overnight Thurso.

We cross the Pentland Firth to Orkney. This archipelago of 70 islands and skerries has beautiful beaches, heritage, culture and wonderful wildlife. We cross the Churchill Barriers to visit the Italian Chapel, St. Magnus Cathedral and Highland Park Distillery. Overnight Orkney.

Today we head out to the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae and the Broch of Gurness, one of the most outstanding examples of a prehistoric settlement. On the way, we visit Maes Howe, the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, and later the Brough of Birsay.  Overnight Orkney.

Sadly, we leave beautiful Orkney and head back to the mainland of Scotland where we visit Wick Heritage Museum, which has a strong focus on the herring-boom era of Wick's history. Later, we explore the ancient harbour of Whaligoe Haven and then finish the day with an afternoon walk at Dornoch. Overnight Dornoch.

Our journey takes us to Culloden Battlefield to learn about the last Jacobite rebels who fell here in 1746. Later, we venture into the Cairngorms National Park with remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forests to visit Carrbridge, Rothiemurchus Estate and take a walk at The Highland Folk Museum. Overnight Pitlochry.

We tour south and explore the East Neuk of Fife where we visit the town of St. Andrews; the “Home of Golf” and the home of Prince William while he attended the University here - one of the oldest in the world. Later, we explore the quaint East Neuk fishing villages of Crail and Anstruther on our way to Edinburgh.