4 Day Orkney & the Highlands

Itinerary

4 Day Small Group Tour from Inverness to Inverness with Back-Roads

Discover dramatic landscapes, towns steeped in Viking history and ancient sites - whose roots stretch back over 5,000 years - on this fascinating journey through the Orkney Islands and the Highlands of Scotland.

Day 1: Inverness - Strathpeffer - Orkney

Our journey through the misty crags and heather-clad moors of Scotland will begin in Inverness today. After meeting the group, we'll admire the staggering vistas of soaring peaks and wide valleys as our road takes us north. Our first stop of the day will be Strathpeffer – a stylish Victorian spa town, where we'll have some free time to explore. Afterwards, we'll leave land behind and sail to Orkney on a short ferry journey, complete with an abundance of scenic views. Kirkwall, first settled by the Vikings, will be our home for the next two nights. Stay: The Ferry Inn (or similar)

Day 2: Orkney

Majestic landscapes, scenic roads and an imagination-firing history: Orkney delivers on every level. Today we'll walk in the footsteps of ancient islanders at the mysterious Maeshowe tomb, the Neolithic village of Skara Brae and the mystical Ring of Brodgar – taking in the history and significance of each site as we go. Our next stop will be the Iron Age Broch of Gurness – and, if the tides are on our side, we'll round off the day with an atmospheric walk to Brough of Birsay island.(B/D)

Day 3: Orkney - Wick

From the St Magnus Cathedral to the Bishop's Palace, we'll find plenty of Norse sites on our doorstep in Kirkwall. This afternoon will see us venture to Scapa Flow, where we'll see the famous Italian Chapel and stop for a photo opportunity at the WWII shipwrecks. Later on, we'll board the ferry to the mainland – where we'll reminisce on our tour and enjoy a farewell dinner in Wick. Stay: Mackays Hotel (or similar)(B/D)

Day 4: Wick - Dunrobin Castle - Inverness

After one final breakfast together we'll hit the road back to Inverness. It's been a tour that's delved deep into Scotland's heritage, so it's only fitting that we finish with a stop at the historic Dunrobin Castle. We'll take some time to explore the impressive white towers and formal gardens of this stately home before travelling the meandering coastal road over the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths. Don't forget to focus your camera lens on the soul-stirring Scottish scenery as we go! When we reach Inverness, we'll say our goodbyes. Stay: Mackays Hotel (or similar)(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner