8 Day North Highlands & Neolithic Orkney

After pick-up we head for Culloden Battlefield which will provide a lasting image of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Army of 1746. Enjoy time to learn about the politics of the day that fuelled the battle and walk the battlefield to see the graves of the clans that fell here. Nearby are the 4,000-year-old standing stones and burial cairns of Clava. The scenery quickly changes as we meander west, pausing for lunch, before we visit Ullapool and explore the ruins of Ardvreck Castle. Overnight Kylesku.

Today we explore the most remote north-west coast. This is a place of unspoilt, dramatic seascapes on the extreme edge of Europe boasting natural scenery, from world-famous beaches to the peaks of hills that dot the land. We stop to walk the sands at Balnakeil Bay and Sango beach and visit Smoo Cave to view the largest sea cave entrance in Britain where the Vikings repaired their Long Ships and fished for herring. We stop for the night and relax for tomorrow’s trip to Orkney. Overnight Thurso.

This morning we cross the Pentland Firth and spend the day exploring Orkneys mainland. This archipelago of 70 islands and skerries has beautiful beaches, heritage, culture and wonderful wildlife. We cross the second world war Churchill Barriers to visit the Italian Chapel, beautifully constructed by Italian prisoners of war before touring to the ancient capital of Kirkwall which has strong links to Norse times in the 11th century. Enjoy a walk in the town and visit St. Magnus Cathedral. Overnight Orkney

Today we explore the west side, taking in Maes Howe Chambered Cairn, Standing Stones of Stenness and the impressive Ring of Brodgar. We head for Yesnaby Clifffs for a light walk for some of the most spectacular views along the coastline. In calm weather, the small coves have clear seas however, in a westerly storm, the cliffs come alive as a mass of sea foam and raging sea. We spend the afternoon visiting Skara Brae village which survives in impressive condition – as does, incredibly, the furniture in the village houses. Overnight Orkney

After breakfast we head out to explore the east side and our first visit is Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb where bones of men, dogs and oxen were found buried. It’s a short hike and a tight squeeze to get in, but you’ll enjoy this off-the-beaten-track ancient monument. Next, we head for the Broch of Gurness to visit this once mighty Iron Age settlement. Later, we explore the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island that features history, wildlife and stunning coastal scenery. We return to Kirkwall for an afternoon of relaxation. Overnight Orkney.

This morning we board the ferry and cross the Pentland Firth back to the mainland of Scotland. We arrive in Caithness where we visit John o’Groats and then Duncansby Head to view the impressive Sea Stacks. We stop for lunch at the town of Wick where you can learn of the herring-boom era of Wick's history. Heading south, we explore the ancient harbour of Whaligoe Haven where you’ll follow in the backbreaking footsteps of men and women who worked in the herring fishing industry. End the day in the quaint village of Dornoch. Overnight Dornoch.

After breakfast we tour through Inverness and into the Great Glen, a magnificent geological fault that stretches for 62 miles (100 km) from Inverness on the edge of the Moray Firth to Fort William. The glen has played a strategic role in controlling the Highland Scottish clans, especially during the Jacobite risings of the 18th century. We stop to take in Loch Ness and the village of Fort Augustus before touring south to Neptune’s Staircase and then Glencoe. We spend the afternoon in the seaside town of Oban, known for its fresh seafood and ferry connections to the isles. Overnight Oban. 

Today we tour south for Edinburgh. Traveling past Loch Awe, we make our way to the charming village of Killin with its scenic bridge and the spectacular Falls of Dochart. The onward journey takes us through the majestic scenery of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park with a wide range of wildlife and breath-taking scenery of forest and woodland, rivers and lochs. We take a scenic drive around ‘The Duke’s Pass’, regarded as one of Britain's best drives, that leads through some of the most scenic parts of the iconic Trossachs landscape before arriving in Edinburgh.