The Tour

The ultimate tour of Scotland!

In just over a week you will see more of Scotland than most Scots ever do. A vast variety of terrain and culture all within so few miles.

We have been touring Lewis & Harris and Orkney for years and to bring them together in one tour is a dream come true!

The Highlights!

•Explore the Islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis with their Gaelic heritage. Rugged mountains, perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise waters (swim if you dare!).
•Delve into the amazing history of Orkney from the Neolithic Age through the Picts and Vikings to the Second World War and beyond.
•Create unforgettable memories with the natural splendour of Glencoe, monster spotting at Loch Ness, the romantic Eilean Donan Castle and the heartbreaking Culloden Battlefield.

The kitty includes:

•Entrance to Gearrannan Blackhouse Museum with its Harris Tweed weaving demonstration, Bosta Iron Age (Jun - Aug), Skara Brae (Stone Age Village) and a Neolithic Tombon Orkney.
•Seafood boat trip with a local fisherman - native wildlife occasionally included!
•Return ferry crossings to the Outer Hebrides and Orkney.
•All hostel accommodation including 2 nights in a traditional Blackhouse plus a night in Carbisdale Castle!
•All evening meals and breakfasts - cooked together as a group or provided by the hostel.

Day 1 - Leaving Edinburgh we enjoy a superb day meandering our way into the Highlands. Hear all about William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy MacGregor with walks for fantastic views. After a picnic lunch, it's into magnificent Glencoe (the massacre of Clan MacDonald) where they'll be plenty of time to explore the dramatic beauty of arguably Scotland's most famous glen. Tonight we spend in the Great Glen at a lochside hostel with views of Ben Nevis. It's the perfect introduction to our superb country!

Day 2 - This morning we'll have a short stop at Eilean Donan Castle (where Highlander was filmed) - you'll hear all the history and legends - before enjoying a morning seafood & seal cruise with local fisherman Neil. The rest of today will be spent exploring the Isle of Skye, with lots of walks and time to take in the magic. You'll see the Cuillin Mountains, the Old Man of Storr (an incredible Jurassic pillar) and hear some of the tales and legends surrounding the MacDonalds and MacLeods, the two main Clans of the island. We'll visit the fascinating Kilt Rock, and take in absolutely awe-inspiring panoramas in the Quirang. Tonight we'll stay on the magical Isle of Skye.

Day 3 - The morning we will head for Uig to catch the ferry over the sea to the Isle of Harris where we will spend the afternoon checking out Rodel Church, home to the tomb of Alisdair Crotach MacLeod and going for great coastal walks along some of the best beaches (yes, we have beaches!) in the world! Then we make our way up into Lewis and over to the west coast where an amazing original Blackhouse (renovated for comfort!) is our home for the next 2 nights.

Day 4 - A great day on Lewis with time spent at a recently discovered Iron Age village at Bosta, the amazing 4,000 year old Callanish Standing Stones (second only to Stonehenge), exploring the ancient Broch (fortified dwelling house) of Dun Carloway and witnessing the traditional making of Harris tweed! Then if we have enough energy left late afternoon (of course we will!) there is a superb coastal walk to Dalmore bay, next to the Blackhouse.

Day 5 - Stornoway, the capital of Lewis, is our destination this morning and there's time to wander the streets, see the harbour and wander the castle grounds before taking the ferry back to the mainland at Ullapool. Then, with a stop at Corrieschalloch Gorge to stretch the legs, it is off to Lewiston by the banks of Loch Ness. With pubs playing live music and Loch Ness within 5 mins, plus an outdoor BBQ (for those sunny evenings Scotland is so famous for!) it's the perfect place to party the night away!

Day 6 - Today we wind our way along the far North Western coastline - a chance to explore the famous Smoo caves and explore some of the most remote and rugged landscapes Europe has to offer. Deserted beaches, towering mountains, sparkling lochs and the wide open skies really set the tone today before we catch the ferry through the Scapa Flow to St Margaret's Hope where we'll stay for the next two nights. A great place to meet the locals in the pub next door!

Day 7 - From our base in the fishing village of St Margaret's Hope we spend a full and energetic day today exploring the islands - it will be packed with Viking ancestry and world-renowned archaeological treasures such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brogar. Plus a chance to gaze in wonder at the island's Italian Chapel, search for the coastal Puffins (May-July) and also walk to one of the neighbouring islands. Loads of time will be spent off the bus and much time spent walking especially along some of the fantastic beaches a day to remember (another one!)

Day 8 - After a last morning exploring Orkney, we take the lunchtime ferry back to mainland Scotland where we wind our way south along the North East Coast. There'll be time for a great walk to try and spot a puffin or two (May - July) as we take in the sea stacks of Duncansby Head before a wee stop in John O'Groats. Taking in Dunrobin Castle, home of the Duke of Sutherland, discovering the ghostly clearance villages perched on the cliff tops and the harbours where they tried to make a living. This evening we arrive at Carbisdale Castle*, our home for the evening.

Day 9 - Our last day takes us past the banks of Loch Ness for a second chance to spot Nessie before an emotional stop at tragic Culloden battlefield. Then we cheer ourselves up with beautiful forest walks at the Hermitage before making our way over the Firth of Forth back to Edinburgh - happy honorary Scots!

We're certain that this will be a really special trip, and one you'll remember for a long time to come. We look forward to seeing you.

Please note that this tour shares the first 5 days with the 6 Day Hebridean passengers - on the 5th day of the tour you will have a change of tour guide and may be joined by new passengers for the rest of the trip.

*Please note that we are unable to stay at Carbisdale Castle on the tours departing 11th and 18th May and 15th June. Instead we will be staying at Sleeperzzz, a quirky hostel where train carriages are used for accommodation!

Tour itineraries and accommodation can vary due to acts of God etc, but we normally stick to this. Kitty includes hostels, evening meals, breakfasts and ferries to and from Orkney.

Alternative Backpacker tours of Scotland

Like this itinerary but short of time? Try the 3 Day Skye & Highlands.
Rather immerse yourself in true Gaelic culture? Try the 6 Day Hebridean Explorer.