Itinerary
Day 1 - Inverness to the Orkney Islands
Depart Inverness and travel along the north east coastline, passing through some of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes and ancient Viking sites. At Gills Bay, board your ferry for your journey across the Pentland Firth to the mystical Orkney Islands.
Overnight – Kirkwall or Stromness
Day 2 - Orkney Islands Sightseeing
There is a deep sense of history throughout the 70 scattered islands of the Orkney Archipelago, which boast the greatest concentration of prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. Visit Skara Brae, a 5000 year old Neolithic stone village, explore the mystical pre-historic stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness.
Travel on to Maes Howe, where the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions.
Overnight – Kirkwall or Stromness
Day 3 - Orkney Islands Sightseeing
Spend the day exploring the two main towns on the Mainland. The fishing port of Stromness is the very image of an island town, with a narrow, flagstone-paved main street and tiny alleyways leading down to the waterfront. Meanwhile Kirkwall, the Capital of Orkney was once a Viking stronghold and is home to Highland Park Distillery and magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, the most spectacular Viking structure.
Overnight – Kirkwall or Stromness
Day 4 - Orkney Islands Sightseeing
Take a day trip to visit one of the other Islands. Soak up the wonderful peace and quiet on remote Papa Westray by taking the shortest scheduled flight in the world or visit the wild and hilly Island of Hoy, with its towering cliffs and the spectacular Old Man of Hoy.
Shapinsay has a fine castle and wonderful beaches, while the isolated isle of North Ronaldsay is the most northerly island with rolling seas and endless skies.
Overnight – Kirkwall or Stromness
Day 5 - Orkney Islands to Durness
Depart Orkney and sail across the Viking waters back to the mainland. Travel across the top of Scotland, past the stunning mountains of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope and by the sparkling beaches of the northern coastline. Your destination in the Far North is a spectacularly located village, a magical spot tucked away behind several gorgeous white sandy beaches.
Overnight – Durness area
Day 6 - The Far North Sightseeing
Hike into Sandwood Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the British Isles or enjoy a guided trip to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point in Scotland. Explore white-sandy beaches and visit Smoo Cave with its spectacular blowhole.
Overnight – Durness area
Day 7 - The Far North to Ullapool
Travel south along a wonderfully scenic and winding road, passing secluded beaches, crofting communities and bays to the pretty fishing village of Ullapool. En-route pass through the grandeur and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt and stop off to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle.
Overnight – Ullapool
Day 8 - Ullapool to Inverness
On your journey back to the Highland Capital view the drama of the River Dorma as it plunges 60m down into the Corrieshalloch Gorge, before taking in beautiful Loch Glascarnoch.
