From Edinburgh: Orkney and The Far North 5-Day Tour

Orkney is the star here: a windswept island world where a 5,000-year-old village, stone circles, wartime causeways, and a tiny Italian chapel all fit into one memorable trip. You also get the Highlands on the way, from Glen Coe and Loch Ness to Culloden and Pitlochry.

I like the small group size, capped at 16, and the way this route links major sights without asking you to arrange ferries, lodging, or driving on narrow northern roads. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Eddy has lived in Orkney, while Kenny has been praised for adding quiet viewpoints, music, local stories, and useful tips in town.

The tradeoff is the pace. Five days cover a huge amount of ground, and one past itinerary felt crowded with small stops and short meal breaks. If you want long museum visits or leisurely lunches, this may feel brisk.

Key points at a glance

• Orkney’s greatest prehistoric sites: See Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar.
• A proper Highland route: Travel through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Glen Coe, Fort William, the Great Glen, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorm Mountains.
• Small group travel: The maximum group size is 16, with an English-speaking driver-guide leading the trip.
• Four nights, two bases: Stay two nights in Kirkwall and two nights in Inverness, with breakfast each morning.
• History beyond the Stone Age: Visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, St Magnus Cathedral, and Culloden Battlefield.
• Good for scenery lovers: The road and ferry crossings are a major part of the experience, not just transport between attractions.

Why five days is a sensible way to see Orkney

Orkney can look close on a map, but reaching it from Edinburgh takes time. This trip handles the long journey as part of the experience, using the Highlands and ferry crossings to break up the route.

You travel in a small group with a driver-guide, rather than taking trains, buses, ferries, and separate day tours on your own. That matters in northern Scotland. The route includes several moving parts, and a guide can keep the day on track when weather or ferry schedules cause changes.

The tour is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 16 reviews, with particular praise for the guides, scenery, timing, accommodation, and range of sights. That is a strong score, though the small number of reviews means I would treat it as a useful sign rather than a guarantee.

At $1,288 per person, this is not a bargain-basement bus trip. The price includes transportation, four nights of accommodation, four breakfasts, the ferry crossings, an English-speaking driver-guide, and admission to Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel. You still pay for other meals and entry fees not specifically listed.

For a five-day trip with accommodation and transport included, the cost can make sense, especially if you value convenience. The best value comes from the sheer amount of ground covered. The weaker value appears if you prefer to choose your own hotels, eat at your own pace, or spend a full day at one site.

Day 1: Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, and Loch Ness

The first day begins at 1 Parliament Square, beside Caffe Nero on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. From there, the road heads west toward Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Loch Lomond gives you the first taste of Scotland’s big scenery: water, hills, and winding roads. The route then reaches Glen Coe, one of the most powerful mountain valleys in the country. Its beauty is tied to a grim event, the 1692 massacre of members of the MacDonald Clan. A good guide can add context here without turning the stop into a long lecture.

The trip continues through Fort William and the Great Glen before reaching Loch Ness and Inverness. This is a full sightseeing day, so expect the journey itself to be as important as any single stop.

You spend the night in Inverness. The city is used as a base rather than the main attraction on the first day, but it gives you a practical break before the push north. Accommodation is arranged for you, though the exact property can vary. One past booking had a better Inverness hotel on the first night than on the return night, so do not assume both stays will be identical.

Day 2: The Moray Firth, ferry views, and wartime Orkney

Day two takes you north from Inverness along the Moray and Cromarty Firths. These coastal stretches add variety after the mountain roads, with broad water views and a stronger sense that you are heading to the edge of Britain.

The ferry crossing is not simply a necessary transfer. It is part of the character of the trip. Weather can affect the exact running of the tour, and the operator reserves the right to change the route or timing for conditions beyond its control. Bring a layer you can reach easily, since northern weather can shift quickly.

After arriving in Orkney, the first major stops are the Italian Chapel and the Churchill Barriers. The Italian Chapel was built by Italian prisoners of war. Its setting and origin make it more affecting than its small size suggests, and it adds a human story to a day otherwise filled with sea views and military engineering.

The Churchill Barriers are a series of causeways built to protect the British naval fleet from submarine attack. They connect islands while carrying a clear wartime purpose. Together, these stops show that Orkney is not only an archaeological destination. Its more recent past is close to the surface too.

The night is spent in Kirkwall, Orkney’s main town. You have two nights here, which is a sensible choice. It avoids packing and unpacking each day and gives you a stable base for the island’s major sites.

Day 3: Skara Brae and Orkney’s stone circles

Day three is the heart of the tour. It is devoted to Orkney’s ancient sites, with Kirkwall as your base.

Maeshowe chambered cairn is one of the key visits. This prehistoric burial mound gives you a direct connection to Orkney’s early communities. Admission is included, which is important because the major archaeological stops can otherwise add to the cost of a package tour.

Skara Brae is the day’s showpiece. The remarkably preserved Neolithic village sits beside the coast and lets you see the layout of ancient homes rather than just a scattering of stones. It is the kind of place where a guide’s explanation helps you understand what you are looking at, but you also need time to take in the site quietly.

The Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar bring a different mood. These broad stone circles are exposed, stark, and strongly tied to Orkney’s prehistoric past. They are not enclosed museum pieces. You experience them in open surroundings, with the weather and sky forming part of the visit.

The day finishes at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. The cathedral gives you a change of scale and period after the Stone Age sites. It also means you get time in the town itself, where craft and gift shops provide an easy way to browse between scheduled stops.

This is also the day when the small group format is most useful. A group of 16 is large enough to have a social feel but small enough for a guide to keep people moving and answer questions. Kenny, one of the guides, has been praised for adding lesser-known viewpoints between the headline sights and offering tips for free time in towns.

What the guide can add to the route

The guide is a major part of the experience because so much of the trip takes place from a vehicle window. Stories, music, and explanations can turn a long drive into part of the holiday.

The guides vary, so you cannot book a specific personality unless the operator confirms it. Eddy has lived in Orkney for many years and brings unusually direct local experience. Kenny has been praised for mixing stories and relevant music with practical advice. Ian has been described as entertaining, with jokes and music alongside his local knowledge, while Stefan has received praise for keeping the trip running smoothly.

That range matters. This is not a silent transfer service. You should expect commentary in English, conversation, and a guide who helps set the rhythm of the day. If you prefer to travel quietly with headphones, the amount of narration and group interaction may feel like more than you want.

One especially memorable possibility came from a September trip with Eddy, when the group saw the northern lights. That cannot be promised, and the tour is not sold as an aurora trip, but clear autumn nights can bring an unexpected bonus.

Day 4: Back to Inverness

Day four begins with the ferry back to mainland Scotland. The return journey gives you a second chance to enjoy the sea crossing, though it can also feel like a long transfer after the concentrated sightseeing of the previous day.

Once back on the mainland, you spend time in Inverness, known as the capital of the Highlands. The schedule gives you a chance to explore the city rather than simply sleep there. How much free time you receive depends on the day’s transport and ferry timing.

The second night in Inverness breaks up the drive to Edinburgh. That is more comfortable than attempting the entire return in one stretch, especially after several early starts and long days outside.

Day 5: Culloden, the Cairngorms, and Pitlochry

The final day heads south toward Edinburgh, with three important stops or passing views along the way.

Culloden Battlefield is the most emotionally serious. It was the site of the defeat of the Jacobite forces, and the visit helps explain a major turning point in Scottish history. The battlefield itself and the museum serve different purposes, so check how much time your schedule allows.

One past itinerary drew criticism for allowing too little time at the Culloden museum while including a whisky distillery stop without a free tasting. That is useful advice: if Culloden matters greatly to you, ask the guide on the day how much time is available and plan your expectations accordingly.

The road then passes the Cairngorm Mountains before reaching Pitlochry. The town is a pleasant final stop, with a more polished and easygoing feel after the remote islands. It gives you a last chance to stretch your legs before returning to Edinburgh.

The final day packs in a lot. You may appreciate the range, but you should not expect a slow, reflective visit at every stop.

Accommodation, meals, and luggage limits

Four nights of accommodation and four breakfasts are included. The stays are split between Inverness and Kirkwall, with two nights in each place. Accommodation is described as clean and hospitable, but room standards and exact properties can vary.

Lunch and dinner are not included. This gives you some choice, but it also means you need to budget beyond the headline price. One practical concern is time: a tightly scheduled day may favor a quick meal over a long restaurant stop.

The luggage allowance is strict. You may bring one bag weighing no more than 15 kilograms, with a maximum size of 55 by 40 by 20 centimeters, plus one small carry-on. Pack lightly, since you will be moving between Edinburgh, Inverness, Kirkwall, and back again.

If you are traveling alone, choose the single-room option when booking. A double or twin room is intended for two people. Three people choosing that option may receive a family room for three, subject to availability. If you want two separate rooms, one person must select the single-room option.

Who will enjoy this Orkney tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad first look at the Scottish Highlands and Orkney without driving. It suits people who enjoy scenery, archaeology, military history, ferries, and guided storytelling.

It is also a good fit if you have only five days and want the major Orkney sites handled in one organized route. The itinerary gives you far more than a quick island day trip, including two nights in Kirkwall and a full day among the prehistoric sites.

You should think twice if you need private space, late mornings, long lunches, or complete control over your accommodation. The days are long, the route is fixed, and weather can force changes.

Children aged three and over are accepted with valid proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate. Children under three are not accepted. The minimum age rule and luggage limit are worth checking before you pay.

Free cancellation is available up to 28 days before departure for a full refund. Since the tour lasts 106 hours, check the available departure time and make sure your Edinburgh plans leave room for the early meeting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Orkney’s prehistoric sites are high on your list and you want the Highlands, ferries, accommodation, and guiding arranged in one package. The combination of Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Ring of Brodgar, Stenness, St Magnus Cathedral, and the Churchill Barriers gives you a strong introduction to the islands.

I would be less eager to book it for a single attraction. Culloden, Loch Ness, or Glen Coe can be visited on shorter trips. This five-day route earns its price through the complete northbound journey and the time spent in Orkney.

My main tip is to accept the tour’s rhythm before booking. You will see a great deal, but you will not linger everywhere. For an efficient, story-filled route with a genuinely small group, it is a strong choice. For a slower holiday, rent a car or base yourself in Orkney longer.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Edinburgh?

The meeting point is at 1 Parliament Square, beside Caffe Nero on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RE.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 106 hours and runs for five days.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and the available tour language is English.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 16 participants.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Four nights of accommodation are included. You stay two nights in Inverness and two nights in Kirkwall, although the exact accommodation can vary.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, and other meals are not included.

Which Orkney attractions have admission included?

Admission is included for Maeshowe, Skara Brae, and the Italian Chapel. Other entry tickets are not included unless specifically listed.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged three and over are accepted with valid proof of age. Children under three are not accepted.

What luggage can I bring?

The maximum luggage weight is 15 kilograms, and the maximum size is 55 by 40 by 20 centimeters. You may also bring one small carry-on per person.