Edinburgh: Orkney, North Coast 500, & Hebrides 8-Day Tour – Edinburgh, United Kingdom

EXPERIENCE:

Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Ness
Depart from Edinburgh and travel north, taking in beautiful cathedrals, historical sites, and even Outlander film locations!
Day highlights include:
•Dunkeld
•Culloden Battlefield
•Clava Cairns
•Loch Ness

Day 2: Loch Ness to Orkney
Discover the awe-inspiring North Coast 500 and explore fairy-tale castles, impressive cliff scenery, and beaches on Orkney Island.
Day highlights include:
•North Coast of Scotland
•Dunrobin Castle
•Distillery Visit
•Italian Chapel
•Orkney
•Kirkwall
•Viking Beach Feast

Day 3: Orkney
Let your guide bring Orkney’s fascinating history to life and experience the magic of an ancient Neolithic village up close. Visit mysterious stone circles and wild coastlines and go puffin-spotting by the cliffs.
Highlights include:
•Skara Brae
•Ring of Brodgar
•Stones of Stennes

Day 4: Orkney to Ullapool
Bid farewell to Orkney and get ready for dramatic caves and zipline adventures (optional/weather permitting) before continuing to the picturesque fishing port of Ullapool.
Highlights include:
•Duncansby Head
•Smoo Cave Durness
•Ullapool

Day 5: Ullapool to Stornoway
Explore the impressive landscapes of Lewis and Harris and immerse yourself in the magnificent historical, natural and cultural heritage the islands have to offer.
Highlights include:
•Callanish Standing Stones
•Gearrannan Blackhouse

Day 6: Stornoway to Portree
Learn all about the ancient skill of making Harris Tweed before dipping your toes in the turquoise waters of white sandy beaches. Venture to the Isle of Skye, where jaw-dropping mountains and famous rock formations await.
Highlights include:
•Luskentyre beach – Harris
•Harris Distillery
•Quiraing
•Old Man of Storr
•Lealt Falls

Day 7: Portree
After an action-packed 6 days of exploring, today is an opportunity to chill out, explore or get active at your own pace. From Portree, you can set off into the hills for a long hike, relax by the sea, or simply sit and watch the world go by. There is a shuttle bus to the Fairy Pools and wildlife cruises which depart from the harbour: dolphins, whales and sea eagles often show up around these parts!

Day 8: Portree to Edinburgh
Step into the shoes of the world-famous wizard that is Harry Potter and hop on the Jacobite Steam Train (optional add-on). Look out for Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain, as we pass Fort William, then we begin the road south with a stop in the dramatic Glen Coe and heading back to Edinburgh.
Highlights include:
•Jacobite Steam Train (optional)
•Glencoe
•Rannoch Moor
•The Kelpies

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore the spellbinding and remote Orkney Islands
Take in the wild and rugged North Coast 500
Venture through scenic landscapes of the Outer Hebrides of Lewis and Harris
Discover dramatic cliffs on the Isle of Skye
Hop on a 2 hour-ride on the Jacobite Steam Train aka the ‘Hogwarts Express’

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